This document discusses research funding and commercialization in Ireland. It provides an overview of funding mechanisms like the Commercialisation Fund that support bringing research out of universities and into industry. It also shows that more expertise, experience, and connections between researchers and businesses can help speed up commercialization, as evidenced by two case studies - one that took longer due to a lack of commercial skills, and another that was faster with industry experience. Overall, the document emphasizes the importance of commercializing research for the economy and encourages researchers to work with groups like Enterprise Ireland to help move ideas from the lab to the marketplace.

1. Research Landscape & Funding
Gearoid Mooney
Director ICT Commercialisation
Enterprise Ireland
Gearoid.Mooney@Enterprise-Ireland.com
087 7544955

2. The Basis For
Research Funding
R & D for Enterprise,
Innovation and Growth
State investment in third level research ~
5Bn by 2013
Commercialisation
http://www.forfas.ie/media/asc060618_sti_strategy.pdf

3. The Economic Model
EU Dept. Enterprise
Dept. Finance
FP6, FP7 Trade & Employment
C
A
S EI IDA SFI
H T
A
Research Establishments X
V E
A S
L
U Irish Industry
(EI Clients, IDA Client & Others)
E

4. Mechanisms by which research
is commercialised
Primary Mechanisms
Transfer of skilled people (Employment)
Transfer of Knowledge (Licence)
New companies (Spin-out)

5. Spinouts Generated per Year
30
25
No. of Spinouts
20
15
10
5
0
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009 (e)
Year
Table illustrates the increasing rate of spinout company creation. The 2009 figure is estimated with 14
generated to date.

6. Spinout Values
80
70
60
50
Value €m
Exports (2008) (€m)
40
Turnover (2008) (€m)
30
20
10
0
< 5 Years Old 5 - 10 Years Old 11 - 15 Years Old 16 - 20 Years Old
Company Age
This table displays the export and turnover values achieved by spinout companies in 2008 by the year
of the companies’ establishment. This graph illustrates the inherent time delays in these high
technology firms achieving financial success.

7. So what makes a difference?
More commercial opportunity
More technology
More expertise
More experience
More people
Better means to connect them:
at the right time
and with the best blend

8. Two case studies.
Case 1 Case 2
Lacks commercial expertise 30 years commercial
experience
Relatively strong technology
Relatively weak technology
Takes two years to license
technology & get the company Takes three months to build a
formed. concept, & decide how to
move it to market.
Relatively poor business plan.
Has business plan suitable for
Still Looking for funding investment in 6 months
Works on this during summer Gets 1.5M investment
months
Employs 8 people
Has issued sub-licenses,
which generate zero revenue Customers fly their R&D
teams to Ireland to see his
Has no employees product.

9. Commercial &
Technical
Commercialisation Fund
Deliverables
1. Proof of Concept
Research Community
2. Technology Development
Industry / Market
3. Commercialisation +
(for colleges only – commercialisation by way
of licensing or creating spin-out company)
Innovation Vouchers
Innovation Partnerships
ILRP
Competence Centres
(for Industry only)
Current Enterprise Ireland commercialisation funding

10. Industry lead Research and collaboration
Competence Centres
(~€1 million+ per annum over 5 years)
Industry Lead Research projects
(~€1.5 million over 2-3 years)
Innovation Partnerships
(~€200k over 18 months)
Innovation Vouchers
(Once off payment of €5K) Size of Number of Collaboration
budget Ind. Partners Complexity
What Industry wants

11. Business Partners Scheme
Why Business Partners?
Historical perspective
Need to have scalable approach for current & future business needs
Past experience
Commercial Expertise & Cash
Joined up thinking
Primary Objectives.
Build new companies providing sustainable economic growth from previous state
investment in academic research, with strong commercial leadership.
Facilitate access to research
Support entrepreneurs looking at new opportunities
Build interaction with the Business Community
Culminates in a HPSU Application & Business Plan
http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/StartBusiness/What+is+a+HPSU/BusinessPlan.htm

12. So where to from here?
We know
Commercialisation of research is paramount without it the
economic system will cease to function
There is scope for improvement in exploitation
Support structures are in place
We need
All researchers to have commercialisation high of their agenda
Work with your TTO offices – they are there to support you
Interested entrepreneurs
Call me or my colleagues in EI if you want help to commercialise
research

13. Thank you !