Launchpad
Encouraging Innovation
At the core of a frontier research institute are individuals with the drive to do or discover something that no one has ever done before.
ICFO is proactive in fostering entrepreneurial activities and spin-off creation, encouraging ICFOnians to take their new ideas and discoveries “made @ ICFO” out of the lab and into society.
The center offers its researchers the KTT Launchpad, a space and support structure which allows innovative ideas to develop into new technology spin-offs. In addition, ICFO participates in incubator activities and seeks to attract venture capital investment.
To date, ICFO has helped create eleven start-up companies, with additional initiatives in various stages of incubation.
Launchpad Business Advisory Board
The Launchpad Business Advisory Board is composed of highly-reputed professionals with outstanding expertise in the critical aspects of the entrepreneurial process.
They collaborate with the KTT team to advise on ICFO’s valorisation and licensing strategy, including the creating of start-ups as they move towards market entry.
Ms. Elena Canetti
Co Managing Partner, Inveniam Group
Dr. Carles Puente
Co-founder and Vice President Innovations, Fractus Antennas
Patent Management Professor, Barcelona-Tech
Mr. Josep Ll. Sanfeliu
Managing Partner, Asabys Partners
Launchpad Activities
The ICFO Launchpad makes available a wealth of resources that help contribute to the successful launch of deep tech innovation.
A KTT staff member with experience in both business and research is assigned to each of the different technologies under incubation, and works with ICFO researchers in different key aspects of the technology commercialization process.
The following are just some of the critical components of ICFO’s incubation process that prepares technologies and the entrepreneurial teams for entering the market:
IP strategy: An ad-hoc solid IP strategy is designed around each of the technical concepts. ICFO has a strong patent portfolio with 80+ patent families. Having a solid IP portfolio is a critical added value for the success of the commercialization process.
TRL&MRL: Concepts and prototypes are nurtured to increase the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and the Manufacturability Readiness Level (MRL) of the technologies, pushing them towards the market, and facilitating the interaction with investors, clients and allies.
Business Development: Focused business development activities are critical for interaction with investors, clients and allies. Detailed freedom to operate studies, market analysis and market positioning are performed for each of the concepts, putting in place robust business and financial plans.
Funding: Internal institutional resources or competitive national and/or international funding schemes are sourced and secured to provide funding for the incubation process.
Team: Bringing together top talent to build the best possible team is a critical part of the incubation process.
Partners & Investors: Critically important to the launch of a new technology is the access to investors, clients and allies. The Launchpad supports entrepreneurs, offering advice and coaching as they prepare to pitch their ideas and products.