Irish institutions have spun out fewer businesses and awarded fewer licences, options and assignments than in previous years.
Irish universities and research institutions generated 21 spinouts during 2017, down 19% from the 28 recorded in the previous year, according to Knowledge Transfer Ireland (KTI), a government-backed agency promoting collaboration between research bodies and industry.
KTI’s Review and Annual Knowledge Transfer Survey 2017 showed the result was the fourth consecutive annual fall in spinout generation since 2013, when 37 spinouts were created.
The agency argued the trend may stem from research organisations taking forward fewer projects to focus on quality.
In addition to spinouts, KTI’s survey reported 31 startups had been set up with links to universities and institutes of technology. The figure is likely to be higher as many go unreported given their independence from any tech transfer office.
Irish institutions also agreed fewer licences, options and assignments (LOAs) than in any year since 2013, awarding 164 during 2017 compared with 186 the previous year. The number…
