Artemis Saitakis Managing Director Science & Technology Park of Crete OPEN DAYS 2006, BRUSSELS 9-12 OCT. 2006 Stimulating academic entrepreneurship: Cases.

Artemis SaitakisManaging Director

Science & Technology Park of Crete

OPEN DAYS 2006, BRUSSELS 9-12 OCT. 2006

Stimulating academic entrepreneurship: Cases from Crete

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Science & Technology Park of Crete

OVERVIEW OF THE PRESENTATIONOVERVIEW OF THE PRESENTATION

1.1. IntroductionIntroductionThe Region of CreteThe Region of CreteResearch InfrastructureResearch Infrastructure

2. FORTH and Science & Technology Park2. FORTH and Science & Technology ParkSupport to academic entrepreneurshipSupport to academic entrepreneurshipUNISTEP ProjectUNISTEP Project

3. Lessons learned & future outlook3. Lessons learned & future outlook

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Science & Technology Park of Crete

CRETE: Well know as a sea and sun destination, for its CRETE: Well know as a sea and sun destination, for its history and culturehistory and culture

BUTBUT

During the last During the last 3030 years : A high number of HEI’s were years : A high number of HEI’s were established:established:

Univ. of Crete (1977), FORTH (1983), Univ. of Crete (1977), FORTH (1983), Technical Univ. of Crete (1984), MAICh (1985), Technical Univ. of Crete (1984), MAICh (1985), Inst. Marine Biology of Crete (1987), NIAR (3 Inst), Inst. Marine Biology of Crete (1987), NIAR (3 Inst), Technological Educational Institute (TEI)Technological Educational Institute (TEI)

(about 30000 students)(about 30000 students)

Crete has a very strong capacity in R&D:Crete has a very strong capacity in R&D: It is among the 4 strongest “catching-up, It is among the 4 strongest “catching-up,

institutionally thick” “Objective 1” regions institutionally thick” “Objective 1” regions (EU, Impact of Structural Funds, 1999)(EU, Impact of Structural Funds, 1999)

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Science & Technology Park of Crete

ACADEMIC & RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS IN CRETE

TEI of C

UNIVERSITY OF CRETE

FORTH NMRC

AGRICRESEARCHCENTERS

TU of C

30000 students

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Science & Technology Park of Crete

FORTH The Largest Research Organization

in Greecewww.forth.gr

7 Institutes, 1000 employees3 Science ParksHELP-FORWARD network

Research

Education Spin offs

Applications Technology Transfer

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Science & Technology Park of Crete

STEP-C INCUBATOR

More than 100 offices and flexible lab space (~4000 sq.m) Financed by: EU, National & Regional funds • Incentives offered by FORTH (low rent, free services)• Incentives offered by the National Government August 2006 : 25 tenants, >800 new jobs created

>60 new companies

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Science & Technology Park of Crete

WORKABLE APPROACHE FOR THE EXPLOITATION OF RESEARCH RESULTS

Due to the demand side limitations (small market, very traditional sectors):

Promoting a «niche» approach in areas where competitive advantages exist

Agrobiotechnology, DNA Chemistry/Biochemistry, Immunotherapeutics, Genetic Engineering, Health Telematics, Bioinformatics, ICT, Medical Optics and Instrumentation, Renewable Energy, Tourism

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Science & Technology Park of Crete

METHODOLOGY 1. Collaboration with the private sector for the establishment of New Technology Based Firms

2. Collaboration with VC firms for spin-off financing

3. “Institutional” Enterprises (FORTH Labs sell products and offer services to the private and public sectors, e.g. DNA enzymes, biotech products, laser applications)

4. Establishment of New Technology Firms at STEP-C

5. Licensing agreements

6. Support students and researchers to start up new firms

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Science & Technology Park of Crete

SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES (1)FORTH Spin-off companies

1. FORTHnet SA (Group of companies)ICT Company

First academic spin-off in Greece

Est. 1995 by FORTH & Minoan Lines SA A group of 8 companies >600 employees2000: Athens stock exchange

Today's Shareholders: FORTH, Wide public NOVATOR Group & Other Private Funds

www.forthnet.gr2. FORTH Photonics SA

Medical instruments (Imaging Diagnosis)

Financed by VC, 2800000 € + 1M€ PRAXE Progr. FORTH Photonics funded by the DTI/UK for Clinical

Trials of Non-invasive Cervical Cancer diagnostic Device DySIS™

www.forth-photonics.gr

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Science & Technology Park of Crete

SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES (2)FORTH Spin-off companies

3. FORTH med (Integrated Health Telematics Network)

www.hygeianet.gr• Virtual Electronic HealthCare Record (EHCR) enables autonomous healthcare facilities to operate in a cooperative working environment and apply continuity of care. • Primary Health Care Center Information System (PHCCIS) implements a generic and broad-spectrum patient record to be used by General Practitioners. • Pre-Hospital Health Emergency Management System (PHEMS) contributes to the development of an integrated regional telemedicine network

MAIN STAKEHOLDERS

Region of CreteFORTH

FORTHnet SAOTE SAOANAK

UNIVERSITY of CRETEHealthcare Providers

4. MINOS BIOSYSTEMS Plc (Transposon technology)Minos BioSystems has developed, with its academic collaborators, genetic tools using transposons and related gene transfer technology for diverse applications in the field of agriculture and healthcare including:

The company acquired rights to transposon technology developed in Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas and in Erasmus University, Rotterdam

Financed by a Scottish VC companywww.minosbiosystems.com

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Science & Technology Park of Crete

SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES (3)Companies established by Students

& Researchers INFOCHARTA LTD

www.infocharta.gr VIRTUAL TRIP LTD

www.v-trip.com CYTECH LTD www.cytech.gr NOVELTECH Ltd

Institutional EnterprisesMINOTECH biotechnology (www.minotech.gr)MICROCHEMISTRYIMMUNODIAGNOSTICS

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Science & Technology Park of Crete

UNISTEPUNIUNIversity SStudents EEntrepreneurship PProgramme

Crete Innovative Actions Programme (CRINNO)

Joint effort of: University of Crete, Technical University of Crete, Science & Technology Park of Crete

2004-2005 : 20 pilot projectsTotal budget : 400000 €Financed by ERDF, National Funds

10 projects, Technical University of Crete (Chania )10 projects, in Heraklion

University of Crete : 4 Science & Technology Park : 6

ICT, Biotechnology, Chemical Technology, Medical Technology, Microelectronics, Energy

(2 in the phase of negotiations with VC)

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Science & Technology Park of Crete

UNISTEP METHODOLOGY

IDEA

EVALUATION/SELECTION

IMPLEMENTATION

STUDENT/GROUP OF STUDENTS

€

++Administrative/Technological

Support + Mentoring

Training

4 coursesEntrepreneurship

Legal issues/Admin.Business Planning

Product development

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Science & Technology Park of Crete

LESSONS LEARNED & FUTURE OUTLOOK

1. High level of mobility (in particular the best students)KEY ISSUE : RETENTION OF GRADUATES

Brain drainBrain drain is one of the most important problems for the region (only 35 % of the graduates stay in Crete)

2. Formal teaching of entrepreneurship is necessary

3. Need to establish a Regional seed capital fund

4. Intermediary organisations and supportive mechanisms (ILOs, Incubators) play an important role

5. IPR issues is necessary to be clarified

6. Mentoring of students is very supportive

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Science & Technology Park of Crete

THANK YOU

FOR YOUR ATTENTION

InformationTel. 2810 391908

[email protected]