Good practice:

Conducting the pre-implementation works in order to adapt the inventions to the needs of purchasers

University of Silesia with the university special purpose company SPIN-US Sp. z o.o., engage in the transfer of knowledge into business and into the society. There is a lot of funds for ready-to-go products and startups, but there is a gap for development promising research to desirable TRL. Therefore pre-implementation works are an extremely important element, which constitutes the bridge between the statutory realisation of scientific research - basic research aimed at gaining new knowledge - and the stage of commercialisation, meaning the implementation of the results into the economic practice. Their execution is an excellent example of extremely important, and often treated without due diligence, preparatory activities for the implementation of R&D results in economic activity, allowing to bring the solution to the stage when it will be possible to commercialize it. In particular, they include the following components: implementation readiness analysis, analysis of market needs, state of the art research, evaluation of industrial property rights and analysis of the possibility of obtaining patent protection, also the possibility of commercialization of research and development results before their publication, additional laboratory tests or adapting R&D results to the needs of an interested buyer, certification, development of implementation documentation, creating a prototype. The pre-implementation works represent a natural process of economic development of scientists

Cooperation and commercialization, knowledge, personnel, marketing skills, laboratory equipment, independent experts, training.

The realization of pre-implementation works allows the scientists to acquire knowledge and business experience. Moreover, it allows to establish and strengthen contacts with the economic environment. As a result the various prototypes of inventions and catalogues were created, to present the research outcomes in a comprehensive way. In addition, multiple cooperation agreements were signed, commissioned research services were provided and trials findings were made available under a licence.

The involvement of scientists in activities for business and economy requires a change of approach in the research work carried out so far. This is due to the demands of the market: the priorities, rapidity of transformation, and competition. Changing attitudes can be difficult and time-consuming

Realization of pre-implementation works in cases where inventions developed at the university are characterized by a high commercialization potential and are at an appropriate level of technological readiness (TRL>3) allows to use innovations in practice. This increases the recognition of the services offered by the university on the economic and social market. Additionally, employees and students develop their business and managerial skills, overcome barriers and fear of entering the market on their own. The integration of the academic environment with technology brokers takes place, enabling the exchange of knowledge, comments and observations on a given topic. This cooperation also ensures efficient preparation of the commercialisation process based on appropriate legal documentation. These activities ensure the strengthening of collaboration between the scientific and business environment, as well as the intensification of technology portfolio management capabilities.