Valorisation is the process of creating value from knowledge by making knowledge suitable and/or available for economic and/or societal use and translating that knowledge into competitive products, services, processes and entrepreneurial activity.

Knowledge valorisation is a core task (next to education and research) for universities and therefore also for researchers. It is becoming increasingly important for research results to be put to societal or economic use. Knowledge transfer is one way of doing this, whether or not in exchange for money by licensing the universities’ intellectual property (IP).

A Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) is a department in a university. It focuses on providing services to make knowledge available outside the walls of the university for the benefit of society. This transfer of knowledge, research results or intellectual property must result in social and/or economic impact. KTOs are found at universities active in all fields, while the variant TTO (Technology Transfer Office) is often found at technical universities.

A KTO gives shape and meaning to the universities third mission: valorizing research. At the same time a KTO acts as a facilitator. With a broad range of facilities, services and expertise IXA offers researchers practical support to valorize research.

In addition, the KTO fulfills an important communication role: universities and for-profit companies often have different values and goals when it comes to research. IXA’s experts understand both and can communicate effectively with both researchers and commercial people. Furthermore, the commitment and involvement of a KTO ensures that all parties involved – researcher, university and a third party – receive fair compensation when a company makes a profit from the knowledge. All in a way that allows as many people as possible to benefit from their research results.

Entrepreneurship is not a goal in itself for most universities. It’s simply a way of incorporating knowledge and research results into society, e.g., by bringing knowledge and innovation to the market via a product or service.

First, come talk to us without obligation – for example, with a business developer. You can spar with them about your plans and they will help you write a business plan. Within the knowledge institutions there are incubator facilities such as the Demonstrator Lab and StartHub at the VU and Law Hub and Humanities Venture Lab at the UvA. We also offer various trainings and workshops to develop entrepreneurial knowledge and skills.

A spin-off is a knowledge-intensive company set up by a university employee. This new business uses the university’s knowledge or research results to develop new products or services, such as new technology, chemical substances, new measurement methods or teaching methods.

Usually, the term ‘start-up’ is reserved for endeavours of students and ‘spin-off’ is reserved for researchers starting a new business. Sometimes, depending on the context, we also use the term start-up to describe the status of the activity, as in early-stage new venture.

No. Our services, facilities, and expertise are free of charge for researchers/ employees. Because IXA as a Knowledge Transfer Office is an integral part of the universities’ service infrastructure.

Send an email with your question to info@ixa.nl. Or find your own expert within your IXA team.

IXA and your institution’s grant advisers help apply for research grants including EU and national grants. In addition, IXA manages several valorisation funds, such as the Proof-of-Concept Fund and the Impact Fund. Also take a look at the Services & Expertise page Services & Expertise

Our legal advisors are ready to assist you. Together, we will determine the best approach, such as a non-disclosure agreement, copyrights, or a patent. IXA helps with patent applications and drafting legal documents to protect intellectual property.

We can help you identify suitable organizations. Or if you already have contact with an organization, our lawyers can assist in drafting and negotiating an appropriate contract. This includes non-disclosure agreements (NDA), research collaboration or consortium agreements, and license agreements.

Our IXA advisers will help you find the right partners and arrange the formalities. Think about drafting cooperation agreements and protecting intellectual property. Contact us