NovaUCD 2009 Report

Foreword

As outlined in Forming Global Minds UCD’s new strategic plan, UCD has three core objectives for innovation:

Since the introduction of the Enterprise Ireland Technology Transfer Strengthening Initiative NovaUCD is supporting an increasing level of commercialisation activity arising from UCD research. This includes licensing to established companies and new ventures. By 2014 through the development of the Innovation Alliance with TCD, UCD should witness a step-change in such activities, particularly in the establishment of campus companies. These outcomes will reflect a major shift in the research and innovation culture of the University. 

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By 2014, UCD’s offerings at undergraduate and postgraduate level will be transformed to embed aspects of innovation and entrepreneurship through the Innovation Academy. At 3rd and 4th levels UCD will mainstream courses in innovation and entrepreneurship. This will give all postgraduate students access to a range of transferable skills and a knowledge of business, thus providing them with a wider set of career options beyond their core discipline. Since 2008, courses delivered by NovaUCD, on starting a business and on commercialisation of intellectual property (IP) have been introduced into the structured PhD programme.  

The availability of PhD graduates with a knowledge and interest in commercial issues should make a significant impact on the generation of spin-out companies. The promoters of spin-out companies such as Celtic Catalysts and ChangingWorlds were experienced researchers and their PhD students. This model enables the researcher to remain in the University while playing a significant role in the development of the company. 

During the period of the new strategic plan, UCD will foster and reward innovation amongst UCD staff through specific inclusion of innovation as a criterion for promotion. 

It is now six years since NovaUCD, the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre at UCD, officially opened. While it is recognised that there is a long lead-time involved in commercialising the results of university research, the significant achievements made in UCD in the last number of years justify the faith of the initial sponsors who invested over €11 million in NovaUCD.   

During the period 2005 to 2009, 13 new UCD spin-out companies were incorporated and a total of 50 high-tech and knowledge-intensive companies, 33% of which were UCD spin-out companies, have located at NovaUCD. A further 40 promoters of new ventures occupied desk space at NovaUCD.    

The increasing strength of the IP pipeline is also encouraging. In the last 5-years, nearly 250 inventions have been disclosed by UCD researchers. In addition, over 120 patent applications have been filed and over 50 licence agreements have been signed with a range of indigenous and international companies.    

In 2009 NovaUCD continued to develop its expertise, its comprehensive programmes and its state-of-the-art facilities to support innovators and entrepreneurs in commercialising the output of their research and other knowledge-intensive activities of the University.  

Key achievements during the last year include: 

 During 2009 NovaUCD continued its various initiatives to support researchers and entrepreneurs.

NovaUCD was also involved in a number of international organisations including AURIL, Institute of Knowledge Transfer and ProTon Europe.  The aim is to enhance the contribution of universities to innovation by increasing the efficiency of knowledge transfer and university/industry collaboration and enhancing the status and recognition of the knowledge transfer profession.  

Summary Key 2009 Metrics

Summary Key Metrics 2005-2009

These and other developments are outlined further in this Report.

Dr Pat Frain, Director, NovaUCD

To receive a hard copy of the Report or for further information contact: Micéal Whelan, NovaUCD, t: +353 1 716 3712, e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie


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