Successful transfer of knowledge and technology
Actively supporting projects in the field of knowledge and technology transfer is one of the Bavarian Research and Innovation Agency’s key areas of work.
We see ourselves as a service provider, working as a mediator between science and industry and thus helping to make sure it does not take long for academic findings to make their way into industrial applications. Moreover, we also help Bavarian organisations to obtain patents and then exploit their results.
Knowledge and technology transfer through R&I projects
These days, the idea of bringing together the worlds of science and business at an early stage of the innovation process is generally recognised as a successful approach to technology policy. Ever since it was founded, the Bayerische Forschungsstiftung (Bavarian Research Foundation) has promoted cooperation between science and industry and supported the transfer of knowledge and technology in joint R&I projects and in Bavarian research associations. As well as helping Bavarian universities, this is particularly beneficial to leading technological SMEs and established Bavarian companies.
A wide spectrum of defined key technologies eligible for funding was therefore selected with the clear aim of pursuing an interdisciplinary approach and identifying areas of crossover. For instance, the “High Technology for the 21st Century” funding programme covers the focus areas of life sciences, information and communication technologies, microsystems technology, material science, energy and the environment, mechatronics, nanotechnology, as well as process and production technology.
On a European level, R&I projects are expected to be interdisciplinary and promote collaboration between science and industry. With this expectation, the EU’s aim is to ensure that scientific findings are converted into specific innovations, products and services as quickly as possible. BayFOR provides expert advice on current EU calls – provided that at least one Bavarian partner is involved – and matches promising consortia with Bavarian players.
A moderator for innovation in a future-ready economy
The aim of Bayern Innovativ is to support Bavarian organisations in tracking and analysing new technological trends and developments, scouting new technology, and searching for potential partners from the worlds of science and industry. We match them with other players from industry and science from all stages of the value creation chain and help them to close any gaps when it comes to technology, supply chains and sales channels.
It focuses mainly on the clusters of energy technology, automotive technology and new materials and the issues of health/medical technology, textiles and the cultural and creative industry. It also concentrates on the potential for innovation in gateways to electronics, sensor technology and other key areas of cross-sectional technology.
Bayern Innovativ’s networks currently comprise around 70,000 people from 40,000 businesses and research institutes plus 80 associated organisations. These experts get together at congresses, forums, workshops, and cluster and network meetings organised by Bayern Innovativ as well as at joint stands at international high-tech trade shows, where they discuss the latest trends, network and seek out new cooperation partners.
Technology, patents and licences – Services for businesses
As the central patent agency for Bavarian universities and universities of applied sciences, the Bayerische Patentallianz (“Bavarian Patent Alliance”) acts as a link between science and industry. It offers companies – including those outside Bavaria – access to patent-protected inventions by over 23,000 scientists in Bavaria. It also provides advice and support to Bavarian or Bavaria-based SMEs when it comes to patenting and commercializing their innovations.
The Patent Center Bavaria (Patentzentrum Bayern) at Bayern Innovativ GmbH is one of the most established patent centers in Europe and has been an important consulting center for Bavarian companies on the subject of intellectual property rights and standards for 145 years. The services provides expert suppport on all kinds of questions relating to industrial property rights – from searches prior to filing an IP application to information on application procedures and free advices from a patent attorney. Information on the Patent Center Bavaria can be found here.
A partner for European knowledge transfer initiatives
Alongside its main goal – helping scientists and businesses to apply for European funding for research, development and innovation – BayFOR also gets involved in European knowledge transfer initiatives, thereby contributing to the spread of specialist know-how across the continent and beyond.