Artemis Saitakis

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Academic Business Links in the Regional
Innovation Strategy of Crete

• Artemis Saitakis
• Managing Director
• Science Technology Park of Crete
• RIS FOCUS GROUP ACADEMIC BUSINESS LINKS
  INNOVATION CULTUR
• WORKSHOP, GDANSK, MAY 10-12, 2006

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CRETE Well know as a sea and sun destination,
for its history and culture
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GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CRETE

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GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CRETE (2)

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ACADEMIC RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS IN CRETE

NMRC
FORTH
TU of C
UNIVERSITY OF CRETE
TEI of C
AGRIC RESEARCH CENTERS
30000 students
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FORTH The largest Res. Organization in the
country (1000 employees) 7 Institutes Crete,
Patras, Ioannina (in the periphery of the
country) - Institute of Molecular Biology
Biotechnology - Institute of Electronic Structure
Laser - Institute of Computer Science -
Institute of Applied Mathematics - Institute of
Mediterranean Studies Institute of Chem.Eng.
High Temperature Processes Institute of
Biomedical Research 3 Science Parks (Crete,
Patras, Thessaloniki) HELP-FORWARD

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FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY HELLAS
MISSION RESEARCH High quality basic and
applied research in the areas of Molecular
Biology Biotechnology, Laser and Materials,
Information Telecommunication Technology,
Chemical Engineering and Applied Mathematics
(2.5 publ/res-year, 30 citations) Laser
techniques for art conservation, medical
applications European Ultra laser
facility Transfer of genes from insects (MINOS
transp. element) (1st time) Sequence programmes
(Drosophila, yeast, human) Chitin synthase,
development of insecticides Integrated Health
Telematics Network of Crete (HYGEIAnet) Informatio
n technology for disabled people Information
technology for culture Novel techniques for the
assessment of environmental pollution

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FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY HELLAS

MISSION TECHNOLOGY Contribution to the
regional, national and European development -
Creation, transfer and diffusion of know-how -
Development of products and services National
Health Telematics System System for cleaning of
Parthenon (Acropolis) Browser for disabled
people Cultural Informatics DNA/RNA enzymes,
oligonucleotides, sequencing Immunodiagnostics
Microelectronics, Materials - Studies of
regional, national and European interest (RITTS
CRETE Coordinator) - 30 Patents -
Collaboration with gt350 local international
companies

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FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY HELLAS


MISSION EDUCATION TRAINING gt300 PhD
students Training of research technicians Summer
schools (Onassis Foundation Summer School) Marie
Curie Center for Graduate studies Mobility of
Researchers Centre University Press Development
of training center at STEP-C (Training of
companys staff in specific areas, e.g. Quality
systems, Innovation Management Techniques etc)
Computer Science Institute training center (6000
people already trained in Information
Technology) Vocational training center

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UNIVERSITY OF CRETE (www.uoc.gr) Established
1977, 8000 STUDENTS 5 SCHOOLS School of
Philosophy (Philology, Philosophy Social
Studies, History Archaeology) School of
Education (Pre-Primary, Primary Education) School
of Social Sciences (Economics, Psychology,
Sociology, Political Sciences) School of
Sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry,
Biology, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science,
Materials Science Technology) School of
Medicine Internationally recognized Dept of
Ophthalmology MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY OF
CRETE (www.nhmc.uoc.gr)

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• UNIVERSITY OF CRETE, DEPT. OF OPHTALMOLOGY,
• VEIC MEDICAL SERVICES
• Cornea Transplantation - Retina
• Refractive Surgery (LASIK) - Glaucoma and
  cataract
• - Low vision DPT - Development of medical
  instruments
• 
  Mini fellowships in refractive surgery
• International patents
• Innovative technology

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TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF CRETE www.tuc.gr

• Established 1984, 2500 STUDENTS
• DEPARTMENTS
• Department of Electronic Computer Engineering
  
• Department of Mineral Resources Engineering
• Department of Production Engineering
  Management
• Department of Environmental Engineering
• Department of Sciences
• Main Competences Environmental Engineering,
  Innovation Management, Renewable Energies,
  Biomedical Engineering

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TECHNOLOGICAL EDUCATIONAL INST. CRETE
www.teiher.gr
Established 1970, 10000 STUDENTS SCHOOLS Sch
ool of Applied Technology (Depts. of Electrical
Mechanical Engineering, Electronics,General
Science)   School of Management and Economics
(Depts.of Tourism, Accounting, Co-Operatives
Mgmt, Foreign Languages Physical Education)
 School of Health Welfare Services (Depts. of
Nursing and Social Work)  School of Agricultural
Technology (Depts. of Crop Science and
Floriculture and Greenhouse Crops)

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• KEY ISSUE RETENTION OF GRADUATES
• High level of mobility (in particular the best
  students)
• Only 35 of the University graduates stay in
  Crete, less than 30 of the graduates of the
  Technical University
• Brain drain is one of the most important problems
  for the region
• Formal teaching of entrepreneurship started very
  recently at the Universities

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HELLENIC CENTRE FOR MARINE RESEARCHwww.hcmr.gr

• 5 Institutes
• Institute of Oceanography
• Institute of Aquaculture
• Institute of Biological resources
• Institute of Inland Waters
• Institute of Marine Biology Genetics

• Top-level scientific support
• 2 research vessels
• State-of-the-art 2-man submersible as well as
  two deepwater Robots
• 2 Aquaria (Rhodes, CreteAquarium)

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Activities Assists the aims of the E.U. and
Greek foreign policy, related to the
Mediterranean and the Balkan countries Offers
enhanced post-graduate education and research
activities Organizes specialised courses and
seminars Coordinates research networks
Contributes to regional and local development
through innovative actions Departments Economic
Management Sciences Environmental
Management Food Quality Management Horticultural
Genetics Biotechnology Sustainable
Horticulture Natural Products
Biotechnology www.maich.gr
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REGIONAL COMPETENCIES (1) BIOTECHNOLOGY/BIOMEDICI
NE (strongest in the country) IMBB Molecular
Biology Biotechnology Medical School UoC, VEIC
Opthalmology Technical University of Crete
Environmental/Medical Technology IMBC Marine
Biology NIAR, MAICh Agricultural
Research MINOS Biosystems, MINOTECH
biotechnology, MICROCHEMISTRY INFORMATION
TELECOMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ICS, Dept. of
Informatics UoC, TUC, TEI of Crete, FORTHnet
SA, IT SMEs Complementary activities
HYGEIAnet

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REGIONAL COMPETENCIES (2) MATERIALS LASER
APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY IESL FORTH Photonics SA,
ARTT RENEWABLE ENERGY University of Crete,
Dept. of Physics TEI of Crete, Dept. of Mech.
Eng. Lab. of Wind Energy Technical University of
Crete 13 new projects TOURISM TEI of
Crete, Dept. of Tourism Industry Technical
University of Crete Large companies

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• STRATEGIC VISION
• CRETE A CENTRE IN THE SOUTHEAST MEDITERRANEAN
• A centre of education and research (1st
  priority)
• A cultural center with the monuments of its long
  history
• A tourist center with a protected natural
  environment and preserved man-made environment
• A center for the exchange of products and
  know-how with the development of an adequate
  infrastructure (free trade zones, international
  trade fairs, supply depots etc)
• A center of production, developing the resources
  of the primary and secondary sectors and
  provision of high quality services in health,
  education and technology
• The role of Crete as a Centre in SE Mediterranean
  will be based on the competitiveness of its
  economy, the use of new technologies and the high
  quality of life

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STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSESS OF CRETE
STRENGTHS Strong technological capability,
internationally competitive Favourable natural
conditions and cultural background Geographical
location Experienced personnel with strong
international outlook and positive attitudes for
collabaration with industry Good mobility of
staff /students and interchange of
information Institutions that promote applied
research International collaborations Support
from the Regional Authorities
(Source RITTS CRETE)
WEAKNESSESS Underdeveloped intermediary system of
innovation promotion and support in the
region Little academic entrepreneurship Few
spin-offs and and NTBFs. No DFI and no DFI
promotion of marketing Little local demand for
the capabilities which are currently available
from the supply side Financial constrains which
affect aggressive company influx and barriers
imposed by legal constrains No high-tech
industry Lack of seed funds and IPM
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THE GREEK INNOVATION SYSTEM

Weak links
Weak links
Not well developed
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REGIONAL INNOVATION SYSTEM

Innovation Financing (Banks, angels, institutions)

• Technology Transfer Organizations
• Science Technology Park of Crete
• Liaison Offices of the Universities
• Associations
• Chambers of Commerce Industry
• Regional/Local Devel. Agencies
• Centre for Entrepr. Technol. Development
• Help-Forward Network (IRC node)

• Universities
• Research Institutes
• Public RD
• Human resources

Companies (RD departments) Licensing Consultants
Suppliers Exporters etc
Technology Information System (patents,
standards, quality etc)
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• STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES of ROP (1)
• Exploitation and commercialisation of research
  results from regional academic and research
  institutions
• Link of academic/research institutions with the
  local productive system
• Promotion of technological capabilities and
  competencies at international level
• Production and marketing of high quality local
  products and promotion of the organic farming
• Enrichment of the tourism product through
  exploitation of natural beauties, culture and
  new technologies
• Attraction of FDI for the exploitation of new
  knowledge
• Promotion of Innovation and new technologies to
  local SMEs

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• STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES OF ROP (2)
• Creation of an innovation culture in the region
• Incentives for retain and attraction of skilled
  people in the areas of new technologies
• Reform of the regional training programmes in
  order to improve skills and meet local demand
• Creation of an integrated transport and
  telecommunication system and development of
  Crete as a transport hub in SE Mediterranean
• Upgrading of the tourism product and promotion
  of alternative tourism
• Promotion of the alternative energies and
  protection of the environment

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• STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES OF ROP (3)
• Strategic objectives and priorities are supported
  by
• Regional Innovation Programmes
• National Foresight Exercise
• Initiated by the General Secretariat for
  Research Technology (www.gsrt.gr)
• Regional Foresight Programme (Crete 2015, InTrack
  Proiect, www.intrack.org)

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• REGIONAL INNOVATION PROGRAMMES
• RITTS CRETE, 1997 2000
• - Cultivation and promotion of Innovation at
  regional level
• - Implementation of a Regional Strategy for
  Technology Transfer and link research with local
  productive system
• INNOREGIO, 1999 2001
• - Development and promotion of innovation
  management techniques
• INNOVATIVE ACTIONS (CRINNO), 2003-2005

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Cultural Identity
Tech. Transfer
Marine Biology Resources
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• ACADEMIC INDUSTRY RELATIONS (1)
• (Developed during the last 15 years)
• Background
• Regional Innovation System
• RITTS, INNOREGIO, INNOVATIVE ACTIONS,
• InfoSociety
• Regional Awareness Programmes
• University ILOs
• HELP-FORWARD
• RENTS (Regional Network of Technology Supply)
• Observatory of Innovation Entrepreneurship
• www.technosupply.gr www.innocrete.gr
• Incubation Activities
• Science Technology Park of Crete
  www.stepc.gr
• Chania Business Incubator

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• ACADEMIC INDUSTRY RELATIONS (2)
• Technology Transfer Programmes/Mechanisms
• a. Regional Operational Programme
• - Support for the creation of academic
  spin-off
• - Technological upgrading of industry
• - Promotion of Innovation and new
  technologies in the business sector
• - Promotion of Information Society
• - Support for the competitiveness of
  tourism using new technology
• - Support for the development of new
  business zones, incubators and clusters
• - Support of academic research institutes
  for collaborative research with industry (15
  proj. 05)
• b. Other TT Programmes

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HELP-FORWARD A strategic alliance between
Industry Research in Greece
1992 Network 1995 IRC (FP4) 1999 NCP
(FP5) 2000 IRC (FP5) 2002 NCP (FP6) 2004 IRC
(FP6) 2004 FORTH Liaison Office

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HELP-FORWARD Structure Mission
HELP-FORWARD A distinct entity
Autonomous but accountable to its
founders Directed by a Steering Committee Hosted
by the federations Financially administered by
FORTH Non-profit, private status 2006 20
people,1,3 Meuro p.a.

MISSION
Promotion of transnational technology transfer
to Greek SMEs Utilisation and exploitation of RTD
results Economic growth and employment through
use of new technologies Strengthening the links
between research, industry and finance Promotion
of innovation in enterprises and entrepreneurship
in RTOs
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Services Spectrum and Classification

Upstream type of services with strong public
nature. NCP services which may range from
traditional awareness information services to
advanced mediation consultancy, beyond the NCP
mandate

Information Mediation Consultancy
Downstream type of services of private nature
may range from economic information
intelligence services up to specialised
technology brokerage services extending beyond
the IRC mandate
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• HELP-FORWARD PORTFOLIO
• TO-out Outward Technology Offer (Technology
  marketing)
• TO-in Inward Technology Offer (access to
  inward TT portfolio)
• TR-out Outward Technology Request (Solution
  identification)
• TR-in Inward Technology Request (access to
  inward TT portfolio)
• RTD-PS RTD Partner Search and RTD proposal
  drafting
• FUND Funding Identification (for NTBF, spin
  offs and research)
• TTEvent TT Events profile preparation
  representation
• MISSION Company mission preparation and
  support
• TA Technology Audit
• TW Technology Watch Novelty Check (IPR
  Innovation check)
• BTO Business Technology Promotion (TO plus TW
  ...)
• BTR Business Technology Request (TR plus TA
  ...)
• RTDexplo RTD Results Exploitation (incl.TW
  TIP/BP - Technology implementation plans / New
  venture business plans)

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• THE H-F ACTIVITIES IN NUMBERS
• 250 cases of advanced technology transfer
  negotiations
• 24 signed TTT agreements
• 900 successful international RTD consortia
  matching
• Clientele of 1500 companies and 700
  laboratories
• Organisation of 10 international TT events with
  300 firms labs
• Participation in 25 international TT events
  (gt100 Greek organisations)
• Promotion of 230 technology offers and requests
  from GR to EU
• Promotion of 4400 technological profiles in
  Greece.
• Organisation of over 140 events for the
  promotion of National and EU RTD funding
  schemes, held across the country (since 1991)
• Support in the creation of 3 spin-off firms.
• Active portfolio of 10 laboratories aiming at
  the creation of spin-offs

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• HELP-FORWARD
• Examples of support to commercialization of
  research
• Creation of spin-off companies from FORTH
  researchers
• Example FORTH Photonics S.A.
• (spin-off company, created by a researcher,
  financed by a VC)
• Business Planning (PRAXE Programme)
• Organization of the Annual Venture Capital Forum
• (the largest international private equity forum
  in SE Europe)
• (www.vcforum.gr)
• 2006 7th International VC Forum, 28-29 June

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• FORTH
  s conception of the Park Late 80s
• Construction of the
  buildings 90s
• Managing Company Established Dec. 1993
• Mission(s)
• Make available FORTHs and other academic
  communities significant research deliverables for
  the development of the region and become the 3rd
  development pole next to agriculture and tourism
  
• Encourage companies to join the Park and become
  major vehicles of the Technology Transfer process
  
• Become a Center of Learning
• Contribute to regional development

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• WORKABLE APPROACHE FOR THE EXPLOITATION OF
  RESEARCH RESULTS
• Due to the demand side limitations (small market,
  very traditional sectors)
• Promoting a niche approach in areas where
  competitive advantages exist
• Agrobiotechnology, DNA Chemistry/Biochemistry,
  Immunotherapeutics, Genetic Engineering, Health
  Telematics, Bioinformatics, ICT, Medical Optics
  and Instrumentation, Renewable Energy, Tourism

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INCUBATOR

• More than 100 offices and flexible lab space
  (4000 sq.m)
• Financing EU, National Regional funds
• Incentives offered by FORTH
• Incentives offered by the National Government
• May 2006 25 tenants, gt600 new jobs created
• gt60 new companies

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RECENT INITIATIVE REGIONAL INNOVATION POLE

A cluster of research labs, SMEs and large
companies, regional authorities and technology
transfer organizations Main goal is the
exploitation of the existing technology which was
developed by the academic institutions, to
promote networking and create synergies among
regional authorities, organizations and the
private sector Total budget 5 M
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NEW CHALLENGE Establishment of ENISA in
FORTH/STEP-C, Heraklion, April 2005

ENISA (European Network Information Security
Agency) seat agreement was signed on April the
22nd, 2005. ENISA aims at ensuring a high and
effective level of network and information
security within the Community. The agency will
contribute to the development of a culture of
network and information security for the benefit
of the citizens, consumers, enterprises and
public sector organizations of the
EU www.enisa.eu.int
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• BARRIERS FOR COLLABORATION (1)
• Lack of demand due to small size and
  technological background
• Lack of incentives (only tax exemptions for RD
  investment)
• Cultural barriers (academic and business people
  use different language, timescales, outputs,
  vision)
• Lack of RD intensive businesses
• Lack of information within the private sector on
  existing opportunities for collaboration
• No strategy for industrial development

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• BARRIERS FOR COLLABORATION (2)
• Framework conditions (IPR, legislation,
  contractual arrangements for researchers and
  professors etc)
• Underdeveloped intermediary system (Few
  Intermediary organizations, established during
  the last 15 years
• Concentration of industry in the areas of Athens
  and Thessaloniki (Practical no industrial
  activities in the periphery, only very
  traditional sectors)
• Limited funding for RD
• Little interaction (variety of channels,
  personnel mobility, no industrial placement
  programmes)

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• MAIN CONCLUSIONS
• University-industry collaboration is not just
  pay for research, but new relationships and
  interactions, based on market and society needs.
• A longer term support philosophy needs to be
  adopted by academic staff embedded within
  start-up structures, technology and knowledge
  transfer initiatives as well as specific cluster
  based programmes individually or collectively,
  rather than initiatives and programmes developed
  solely in isolation.
• A mechanism, which will act as a gateway is
  necessary to be developed. It will support
  industrial companies to identify and select the
  most appropriate HEI to meet their requirements

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION Information Tel.
2810 391908 saitakis_at_stepc.gr