The main goal of the ICT Labs' Technology Transfer Program is to increase the flow of technologies from academia to companies, hence accelerating ICT innovation. This main goal is further refined into:

(1) Detect, stimulate and support Technology Transfer opportunities between academic research organisations and industry;

(2) Provide a number of tools for facilitating such Technology Transfer opportunities and projects;

(3) Provide a process for advising and supporting Technology Transfer activities in EIT ICT Labs, i.e., Thematic Action Lines, and/or at Partners’ organisations.

The focus of this Catalyst is at the innovation funnel's front-end, between research and the identification of a potential innovation. Innovation is defined here as “technology in context of the definition of a potential value along with a business model”. The identification of a potential innovation is therefore a decision point of an effective transfer, such as the creation of a company or the decision to license to an existing company. More precisely, research organisations generally experience a gap between their research activities and potential commercialisation, so need tools and processes to help bridge the gap; while they generally can improve the technology and its implementation (technology maturation), business maturation receives less attention. Also, many academic researchers and potential innovators have little prior information on what to accomplish to move their project further and transforming it into a valuable innovation, whether as a start-up candidate or to be handed-off to a small, medium or large company.

Gilbert Harrus, INRIA (P) is Business Catalyst Lead; Technology Transfer Program