The Technology Transfer Office is a central point for connecting science and the industry and a starting point for finding partners in the industry who need the knowledge and research-analytical capacity of the University. The Office operates with the aim of increasing the commercialization of the University's intellectual property and strengthening the link between the University and the industry. Through its activities, it promotes an innovation culture and entrepreneurial spirit among students and scientists, provides advice and support in the transfer of knowledge and research results from the University to the economy with the aim of addressing societal challenges and increasing economic competitiveness.
The activities of the Office are focused on fostering knowledge-based entrepreneurship and the commercialization of knowledge and scientific research results:
Procedures of intelectual property protection and technology transfer process at University of Split are regulated by Rulebook on the intelecutal property and Rulebook on the work of Technology transfer Office. Furthermore, to foster commercialisation of research results in 2022 Fund for IP protection was established ruled by the Procedures on managing of the funds allocation.
The activities of the Office are focused on fostering knowledge-based entrepreneurship and the commercialization of knowledge and scientific research results:
- Establishing and enhancing collaboration between the research and business communities,
- Establishing contacts for participation in research and development programs,
- Intellectual property protection and strategy,
- Entrepreneurship training for researchers and students,
- Establishing contacts with business partners,
- Creating opportunities for business internationalization and entry into new markets,
- Providing education with current and applicable entrepreneurial knowledge,
- Addressing other issues related to starting and successfully conducting entrepreneurial activities.
Procedures of intelectual property protection and technology transfer process at University of Split are regulated by Rulebook on the intelecutal property and Rulebook on the work of Technology transfer Office. Furthermore, to foster commercialisation of research results in 2022 Fund for IP protection was established ruled by the Procedures on managing of the funds allocation.
Enterprise Europe Network
Through the Technology Transfer Office, the University of Split has been part of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) since its inception in Croatia in 2008.
EEN is a key instrument of the European Commission in its strategy for growth and cration of new jobs by providing support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe, helping them fully utilize the opportunities offered by the European Union and the Single Market. EEN services are specifically designed for SMEs but are also available to business institutions, research centers, and universities throughout Europe.
During the past period, more than 500 individual consultations were provided through EEN activities, focusing on business internationalization, intellectual property protection, and financing opportunities. Additionally, over 3000 participants were involved in organized events, while more than 600 participants took part in organized business matchmaking events.
EEN services that we offer free of charge are:
Bluedih
The University of Split is coordinator of the Blue Digital Innovation Hub (Bluedih) in the field of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.. Its main objective is digitalisation of the companies in the region within the blue and green economy with the aim of increasing their competitiveness and innovation potential.
In 2021, Bluedih initiated the implementation of two projects aimed at digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): BOWI - Boosting Widening Digital Innovation Hubs and DIH-WORLD. These projects encourage SMEs to adopt advanced digital technologies through the implementation of technological experiments. Both projects are focused on enhancing the competitive advantages of companies to reach global markets. Through these initiatives, companies have developed advanced technological solutions such as voice control in warehouses, advanced activity monitoring systems in seaports, wildlife tracking systems, and advanced glasses to assist individuals with reading difficulties. Bluedih provides companies with access to expertise in various digital technology fields, center equipment and infrastructure, as well as a wide ecosystem of digital centers from other European Union countries with which Bluedih collaborates. The total value for companies participating in these projects exceeds 240.000 euros.
Being one of the applicants within the Digital Europe program call, in 2022, Bluedih was recognized as a high-quality project proposal in an extremely competitive evaluation process by the European Commission and was awarded the Seal of Excellence.
Program for proving an innovative concept - Proof of concept
The Technology Transfer Office is one of the selected Recognized Centers for the implementation of the Proof of Concept Program, where it plays a significant role in management of the innovation lifecycle. The Proof of Concept innovation program is intended for researchers and SMEs with the aim of developing new products and processes to enhance the research and development and innovation capacities of companies and scientific organizations.
The most important role of the Recognized Center is to manage the innovation cycle and support the commercialization of results. Scientific organizations carry out the project alone or in the partnership with the Recognized Center, while companies can decide whether they want to implement the project independently or with the support of the Recognized Center.
Since the beginning of the program implementation at the University of Split until the end of 2021, 31 projects with a total value of 1.809.155 EUR have been contracted and implemented.
Through the Technology Transfer Office, the University of Split has been part of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) since its inception in Croatia in 2008.
EEN is a key instrument of the European Commission in its strategy for growth and cration of new jobs by providing support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe, helping them fully utilize the opportunities offered by the European Union and the Single Market. EEN services are specifically designed for SMEs but are also available to business institutions, research centers, and universities throughout Europe.
During the past period, more than 500 individual consultations were provided through EEN activities, focusing on business internationalization, intellectual property protection, and financing opportunities. Additionally, over 3000 participants were involved in organized events, while more than 600 participants took part in organized business matchmaking events.
EEN services that we offer free of charge are:
- Support in development of innovative solutions and projects
- Information on available funding for different projects
- Internationalization and search for the partners
- Digitalisation
- Information and advisory services on sustainability and development of sustainable business models
Bluedih
The University of Split is coordinator of the Blue Digital Innovation Hub (Bluedih) in the field of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.. Its main objective is digitalisation of the companies in the region within the blue and green economy with the aim of increasing their competitiveness and innovation potential.
In 2021, Bluedih initiated the implementation of two projects aimed at digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): BOWI - Boosting Widening Digital Innovation Hubs and DIH-WORLD. These projects encourage SMEs to adopt advanced digital technologies through the implementation of technological experiments. Both projects are focused on enhancing the competitive advantages of companies to reach global markets. Through these initiatives, companies have developed advanced technological solutions such as voice control in warehouses, advanced activity monitoring systems in seaports, wildlife tracking systems, and advanced glasses to assist individuals with reading difficulties. Bluedih provides companies with access to expertise in various digital technology fields, center equipment and infrastructure, as well as a wide ecosystem of digital centers from other European Union countries with which Bluedih collaborates. The total value for companies participating in these projects exceeds 240.000 euros.
Being one of the applicants within the Digital Europe program call, in 2022, Bluedih was recognized as a high-quality project proposal in an extremely competitive evaluation process by the European Commission and was awarded the Seal of Excellence.
Program for proving an innovative concept - Proof of concept
The Technology Transfer Office is one of the selected Recognized Centers for the implementation of the Proof of Concept Program, where it plays a significant role in management of the innovation lifecycle. The Proof of Concept innovation program is intended for researchers and SMEs with the aim of developing new products and processes to enhance the research and development and innovation capacities of companies and scientific organizations.
The most important role of the Recognized Center is to manage the innovation cycle and support the commercialization of results. Scientific organizations carry out the project alone or in the partnership with the Recognized Center, while companies can decide whether they want to implement the project independently or with the support of the Recognized Center.
Since the beginning of the program implementation at the University of Split until the end of 2021, 31 projects with a total value of 1.809.155 EUR have been contracted and implemented.
In January 2023, the University of Split became part of an initiative within the European Research Area (ERA) to build an effective European research and innovation policy based on strong interconnection and collaboration among research and innovation ecosystems operating in different regions within ERA. Through the Horizon Europe project ERA FABRIC, the University of Split is part of a consortium that includes 11 leading regional research and development institutions from Italy, Spain, Portugal, Norway, Czech Republic, and Poland.
The ERA FABRIC project implements a new concept of ERA Hubs in different geographical areas and structures in Europe, based on common compliance criteria. The process acts as an incentive for advanced ecosystems to seek recognition, and for less advanced ecosystems to meet criteria that facilitate support at the European, national, and regional levels. The goal of the project is to create a network of knowledge and development centers within the ERA on three interconnected and interdependent levels: knowledge ecosystem, multi-stakeholder platform, and co-creator of regional policies. Through project activities, a set of tools and quality labels will be developed to establish and recognize similar knowledge and innovation ecosystems in the European Union in three specific thematic areas: sustainable production, bio-based circular economy, and clean and sustainable energy.
The ERA FABRIC project implements a new concept of ERA Hubs in different geographical areas and structures in Europe, based on common compliance criteria. The process acts as an incentive for advanced ecosystems to seek recognition, and for less advanced ecosystems to meet criteria that facilitate support at the European, national, and regional levels. The goal of the project is to create a network of knowledge and development centers within the ERA on three interconnected and interdependent levels: knowledge ecosystem, multi-stakeholder platform, and co-creator of regional policies. Through project activities, a set of tools and quality labels will be developed to establish and recognize similar knowledge and innovation ecosystems in the European Union in three specific thematic areas: sustainable production, bio-based circular economy, and clean and sustainable energy.
With the aim of developing entrepreneurial infrastructure, the University of Split established the company UNIST Technologicy Park Ltd. in 2016 and secured funds for the reconstruction of the technological park building through the implementation of the EU project "SPINIT New Technology Incubator ", worth 3.052.624,59 EUR, of which 2.632.123,32 EUR was co-financed by non-repayable EU funds. The reconstruction began in May 2019, and the facility was officially opened on September 25, 2020 (photo).
