The stages of the commercialisation process

A new idea or invention emerges from university research. Come discuss with us or meet with companies and entrepreneurs to find out how your research may help redress a concrete need or problem.

After receiving your invention and idea disclosure, we will assess its commercial potential. We will also establish whether the rights to the invention belong to the researcher or the University. The University will develop the inventions to which it holds the rights and which have commercial potential.

If your invention proves to be commercially interesting and patentable, we will prepare a patent application together with a patent agent. Your participation in this stage is very important for protecting the essence of the invention. Once the application has been submitted, the research results underlying the invention can usually be freely published. Ideas and competence cannot be patented, but can often be protected, for example, under copyright.

The value of an invention can be increased by further refining and adjusting it to meet market needs. It is possible to apply for Research to Business funding from Business Finland for this stage. We can also help you locate potential customers and negotiate contracts. If your idea emerged as a result of discussions or corporate cooperation, your customers or “commercialiser” may already exist. In that case, our task is to refine your idea for its future market. In business planning we are actively involved in all stages of commercialisation, including preparation, supervision and implementation.

The commercialisation process becomes concrete through licensing or the establishment of a company. A patent or other protection is only a tool for determining the value of the innovation. In corporate cooperation, such protection serves as a commodity in that the partner company receives a concrete benefit in return for its investment. The purpose of commercialising an idea or competence is to convince the purchasing company to want to benefit from the idea or competence in the future through, for example, research cooperation.