Global gateway for Welsh research goes live on St David鈥檚 Day
A web gateway that brings together Welsh research and global business goes live on St David's Day (March 1 2014).
Wales IP ( ) acts as a portal for potential investors, helping them locate innovative opportunities developed by five Wales鈥� research-intensive universities.
The site is the public face of the Intellectual Property Collaboration Project (IPCoP) between Aberystwyth, 黑料不打烊, Cardiff, South Wales and Swansea Universities.
Professor David Shepherd, Pro Vice Chancellor, 黑料不打烊, said:
鈥淭he Wales IP website showcases the exceptional opportunities that exist for the commercial development of research within Wales. By creating an accessible and investor-focused entry to IP at the partner Universities, we aim to drive up the economic contribution to Wales and the UK, demonstrating the impact of research and applicability to business needs.鈥�
Professor Hywel Thomas, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Cardiff University, said: "The portal takes innovation from the workbench to the boardroom, putting investors in touch with opportunities, and allowing researchers in Wales to share best practice, refine ideas, and develop world-beating business opportunities."
The collaboration is funded by the Higher Education Council for Wales (HEFCW). Using the leading research and immense expertise of these institutions, IPCoP aims to drive forward the knowledge economy in Wales, worth 拢177M in 2011-12.
Dr David Blaney, Chief Executive of HEFCW, said: 鈥淯niversities contribute millions to the Welsh economy through the granting of licences, the filing of patents and the creation of spin-out companies, as well as providing services and expert knowledge for existing enterprises. We are delighted to be able to support this collaboration, which will allow companies to easily pinpoint expertise at the five universities involved. We hope that this new gateway will act as a catalyst for growth in commercialising intellectual property, which will both benefit the economy and further enhance our universities鈥� reputation as centres of considerable expertise.鈥�
Wales IP provides a one-stop destination for investors or companies seeking commercial applications, acting as a gateway to 95% of the region鈥檚 research. It helps researchers find intellectual property and identify areas of collaboration.
IPCoP brings together a network of Technology Transfer Officers who can identify, protect and commercialise Wales鈥� research, to support the Welsh economy and build an 鈥榠nnovation culture鈥�.
In its first year of operation, IPCoP identified multiple new technologies with strong potential and secured in excess of 拢1.1m of translational income. The partnership has strengths in food security, energy and the environment, health and biosciences, advanced engineering and manufacture, the digital economy and creative industries.
Wales IP will benefit the five universities and their partnership companies. It also supports Welsh Government aims of driving economic growth by commercialising research and development.
Publication date: 3 March 2014