Technology Transfer Supports
The National Technology Transfer System
The National Technology Transfer system enables the transfer of commercially valuable research outputs into industry. With funding from various sources including Enterprise Ireland, the Higher Education Authority, Science Foundation Ireland and others, researchers in higher education institutes are inventing new technologies and developing solutions to challenges in areas like healthcare, transport, energy, engineering, food, software and telecommunications.
Many of these solutions and inventions have commercial potential and could become the basis for new companies, or could be used by existing companies to develop new products and services and open up new markets. The technology transfer system plays a vital role in ensuring that these discoveries become commercial realities.
What services do the Technology Transfer Offices offer researchers?
Technology Transfer office staff help researchers to explore the commercial potential of their technology. This includes answering initial questions such as:
- What problem does the technology address?
- What is the researchers’ proposed solution to the problem?
- Is there anything unique about this solution?
They will then help to plot the best route to the marketplace for the technology. This could involve helping to file a patent, locating appropriate companies and directing the negotiation of a licence deal or working with Enterprise Ireland to create a spin-out company.
The term ‘technology transfer’ is used to describe the process of moving the commercial outputs of a research project out of a higher education institute and into a company.
Technology Transfer Office in my College
For contact details in your College, go to Technology Transfer Offices contact details.
Annual Events Showcasing Licensing Opportunities and Spin-outs
Enterprise Ireland host two major annual events for college researcher interested in commercialising their research. These events are attended by researchers, Venture capitalists, angel and private investors, entrepreneurs, innovators, international and Irish business executives.
- Big Ideas Showcase presents the spin-outs and commercial opportunities emerging from Ireland's higher education institutes.
- The ‘One to Watch’ award is presented each year to a researcher that has received commercialisation funding from Enterprise Ireland and is deemed to have demonstrated high levels of innovation and potential to bring technologies to the marketplace. In presenting this award to up-and-coming researchers with commercial inclinations, Enterprise Ireland is recognising potential and motivating other researchers to follow in the footsteps of the One to Watch award winner.
Funding for commercialisation of research
To learn more about our funding and support programmes for researchers wishing to develop, protect and commercialise technologies, go to our Research Commercialisation Supports section or download our Commercialisation Feasibility Funding information leaflet (pdf format).
Spinout a New Company
If you are interested in commercialising your research by setting up a new spin-out company, Enterprise Ireland has dedicated supports for spin-outs from research activities.
