Are you a researcher with a spin-off trajectory and do you need an extra push to accelerate this adventure to founding? Then an Industrial Research Fund acceleration project might be something for you.
The Industrial Research Fund (Industrieel Onderzoeksfonds, IOF) has now completed a first round in which a group of entrepreneurial experts have examined a number of top spin-off dossiers. The focus of these acceleration projects is on valorisation projects with spin-off finality with great potential in terms of commercial return and socio-economic impact. If you have an ongoing IOF project or if you submit a new application for an IOF project with a clear spin-off objective, you can accelerate the business part of your spin-off by applying for additional IOF funding. You don’t need additional funding, but you do need expertise and guidance in areas such as identifying an essential (and missing) profile in the team, attracting VC funding, advising on the right markets, etc. Then you are also eligible. The acceleration trajectory specifically concerns a valorisation trajectory with spin-off finality with great potential in terms of commercial return and/or socio-economic impact. Thanks to the acceleration mechanism, the final steps towards spin-off can be completed as quickly as possible with maximum support. It is important that there is already a prospect of a future spin-off team as entrepreneurial leaders. A network of experienced entrepreneurs, the Ghent Entrepreneur Network, will make a pre-selection from the submitted applications, after which you may be invited to pitch your spin-off trajectory to them. If you are assigned an acceleration label, your spin-off file will receive maximum support and guidance from the IOF and TT team. A key account as well will be allocated to your spin-off project to guarantee priority for the execution of the next steps.