The procedure for the recognition of spin offs and start ups from Unitn

The spin off and start up regulation of the University of Trento identifies two types of entrepreneurships:

  • Academic Spin off: any entrepreneurial initiative in which the University takes part as a partner, aiming at developing, producing and trading goods and services that are the results of the University's research activities and in which the applicant gave its contribution;
  • Academic Start up: any entrepreneurial initiative in which the University does not participate as a partner, but that uses buildings and equipment or services of the University aiming at developing  pre-competitive products and services deriving from the research results of the University and to which the applicant gave its contribution.

The process of creating academic spin-offs and start-ups can be divided in stages of implementation:

1. Technology disclosure

In this initial stage the first contacts among researchers proposing the spin off (or start up) and the TT Area of the Research and Technology Transfer Support Division, within which the business idea and the technologies involved are exposed to the University staff in order to identify the possible forms of exploitation on the market.

Actors involved:

  • TT Area
  • Proponents:
    • Sspin offs: the proposal may come from the university, or by one or more professors/researchers or one or more employees belonging to the role of administrative staff;
    • Start ups: the proposal may come from university, or by one or more professors/researchers, administrative staff, post-doc researchers, graduates [specialistica o magistrale] who obtained the title by less than a year, PhD students, PhD who have earned the title by less than a year, other collaborators who, in the last three years, on the basis of contractual relationships with the University, have conducted research for at least two years related to the object the start-up. The proposal by these subjects, except professors/researchers and employees belonging to the role of administrative staff, must also be accompanied by a statement of support from at least one professor of the University.
  • Department Committee

Required documents:

  • "Presentation letter" - the proposal for the activation of a spin-off (start-ups) signed by the proponent - and its annexes:
    • personal information of applicants (address, position, cv...);
    • information related to the company;
    • Business Plan;
    • draft agreement on the use of space and/or equipment of the University;
    • request to use the logo of the University (if applicable);
    • draft of company statute and “parasocial” agreement;
  • extract of the minutes with the opinion of the Board of the Department
  • summary sheet of the TT Area.

2. Patents and Spin off Commission

At this stage the Patents and Spin off Commission is the main actor; this is the body dedicated to the evaluation of proposals for creation of academic spin-offs and start ups. In particular it expresses an opinion on the applications; it checks for each proposal the lacking of any possible conflict of interest between University institutional mission and entrepreneurial activities; it expresses opinions on the revocation proposals of the spin off or start up status.

Actors:

  • Patents and Spin off Commettee
  • TT Area
  • Proponents

This stage concludes with the opinion of the Patents and Spin off Committee.

3. Scientific Research Committee

The Scientific Research Committee is a body dedicated to the programming of the research activity of the University; it acts as an advisory body to the Rector and Board of Directors for the issues related to research. First, the summary sheet of the TT Area is communicated to Scientific Research Committee, which takes into account all the previous steps, together with all documents previously delivered to the Patents and Spin off Committee and the opinion of the latter. Therefore, the presentation of spin off or start-up proponents takes place.

Actors:

  • Scientific Research Commettee
  • TT Area
  • Proponents

This stage concludes with the Scientific Research Committee opinion.
 

4. Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is a body of guidance and general planning of the University. At this stage, the TT Area notifies to the Board of Directors the summary sheet, which summarizes all the steps already done and the opinions acquired. Therefore, the presentation of proponent takes place within the Board.

Actors:

  • Board of Directors
  • TT Area
  • Proponents

This stage concludes with the Board of Directors Resolution.

5. Company foundation only for spin off

The TT Area, in the case of spin-off creation, supports the formation of the company that takes the form of payment by the University of share capital and the appointment of a director on the recommendation of the Rector.

6. Final phase

Conclusion of the license agreement for use of the logo (only for spin-offs) and of the agreement on the use of space and / or equipment (if applicable).

Finally, the new company is included in the list published on the Website: http://www.unitn.it/ateneo/2700/spin-e-start-nuove-imprese-innovative-collegate-alla-ricerca-unitn

 

Contacts

Research and Technology Transfer Support Division
via Belenzani, 12 (third floor) - 38122 Trento
tel. +39 0461 281238 - 281203 - 281163
fax +39 0461 281128