TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND TECHNOLOGY CLINICS

Helsinki 8. May 2003

Tekes, National Technology Agency of FinlandJuha Suuronen

Technology Clinics

1. Finland

2. Tekes

3. Budgeted Tekes funding for applied and industrial R&D

4. Base for Technology Transfer in Finland

5. Tekes Technology Clinics

6. Workflow in a Technology Clinic

7. Strenghts and Weaknesses

8. The Future of the Technology Transfer in Tekes

Finland

Tekes

Tekes’ primary objective is to promote thecompetitiveness of Finnish industry andthe service sector by technological means.

Tekes is headquartered in Helsinki. Tekes has 14 regional units throughout Finland. In total, 315 people is working for Tekes.

Four Tekes offices abroad: Brussels, Tokyo, San Jose, Silicon Valley and Washington D.C.

Lapland

OuluKajaani

SeinäjokiKuopio

JyväskyläJoensuu

MikkeliTamperePori

LappeenrantaTurku

Tekes, Head office, Helsinki

Vaasa

Lahti

Tekes

Selective project funding

Technology programmes

Activation for innovation

Development of the innovationenvironment

International

technological

cooperation

and inter-

nationalisation

of companies

FunctionsFunctions

Budgeted Tekes funding forapplied and industrial R&D

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

390 386379

227252

386 385

Tekes received additional funding from EU Structural Funds, 5 million euros in 2000, 9 million euros in 2001 and 10 million euros in 2002 and 2003.

Millioneuros

349

316

244

National share of EU Structural FundsIndustrial R&D loansCapital loans for R&DIndustrial R&D grantsCoordination of programmesResearch funding

Base for Technology Transfer in Finland

Tekes Technology Clinics

Overview

Technology Clinic is a set actors consisting of coordinator, service providers, Tekes and SMEs in need of know-how and technology

Main goal of the initiative is to promote adaptation of specified technologies for problem solving in SMEs in order to introduce new technological possibilities and to raise their awareness of external R&D resources.

Technology Clinics are focused and selective in terms of technology themes

Each clinic is in operation 2…3 years

Tekes Technology Clinics

Matchmaker between research institutes/universities and companies not familiar dealing with researchers

Access to the best experts in the country New customers for research institutions Rapid and flexible way to finance smallish problems

Tekes Technology Clinics

Average costs around 12,000 euros, half paid by Tekes and half by the commissioning company

Technology Clinic Initiative was launched in 1992. 30 Technology Clinics in operation since the initiative was launched and some 850 assignments so far.

All together 10 million € used, 5 million € of that granted by Tekes.

Examples of clinics: Machine vision, Rapid prototyping, Noise and vibration, Food hygiene, Wood drying, Technology strategy for construction industry, Simulation etc.

Workflow in a Technology Clinic

Setting up a clinic Choosing the theme (suggested by Tekes, research

institute, university, company…). Marketing study in SMEs if needed.

Choosing the coordinator, service providers and Tekes contact person

And when the clinic has been set up1. Marketing, brochures, seminars, newspapers…2. Suitable problem in SME –contact to any party3. Closer look at the problem 4. Offer from service provider to the SME5. Approval of the assingment by Tekes6. Agreement between parties7. Work8. Company gets the results9. Customer will be charged 50 % of the price and Tekes will

pay another 50 %

Strenghts and Weaknesses

Strenghts Reduced bureaucracy in funding application process Rapid assingment approval and execution Flexible themes and organisation Effective tool for technology diffusion such as results cumulated

in a national technology program

Weaknesses Consept is rather push than pull operated => the theme and time

window doesn’t meet all actual technological needs in SMEs Marketing is time consuming and hit rate is low Insufficient general awareness of technology clinics –what is a

technology clinic and what clinics are ongoing at the moment?

Challenges in SMEs Constrains: Lack of time, resources and money Multi problem environment –identifying focal problems Requirements for investment’s pay-off period are tight Tendency to do the R&D itself (learning by doing), not purchase

The Future of the Technology Transfer in Tekes

Development Project in Tekes during spring 2003 Possible changes

Themes => liberalization => more pull operated and at the same time broader time window for themes Assingnment application process more systematic More systematic way to diffuse results gained in a national

technology programs More visibility in regions and regional needs taken into

account (i.e. in polytechnics)