1. Artemis Saitakis Managing Director Science & Technology Park of Crete OPEN DAYS 2006, BRUSSELS 9-12 OCT. 2006 Stimulating academic entrepreneurship: Cases from Crete

2. Science & Technology Park of Crete 2 OVERVIEW OF THE PRESENTATION 1.Introduction The Region of Crete Research Infrastructure 2. FORTH and Science & Technology Park Support to academic entrepreneurship UNISTEP Project 3. Lessons learned & future outlook

3. Science & Technology Park of Crete 3 CRETE: Well know as a sea and sun destination, for its history and culture BUT During the last 30 years : A high number of HEIs were established: Univ. of Crete (1977), FORTH (1983), Technical Univ. of Crete (1984), MAICh (1985), Inst. Marine Biology of Crete (1987), NIAR (3 Inst), Technological Educational Institute (TEI) (about 30000 students) Crete has a very strong capacity in R&D: It is among the 4 strongest catching-up, institutionally thick Objective 1 regions (EU, Impact of Structural Funds, 1999)

4. Science & Technology Park of Crete 4 ACADEMIC & RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS IN CRETE TEI of C UNIVERSITY OF CRETE FORTH NMRC AGRIC RESEARCH CENTERS TU of C 30000 students

5. Science & Technology Park of Crete 5 FORTH The Largest Research Organization in Greece www.forth.gr 7 Institutes, 1000 employees 3 Science Parks HELP-FORWARD network Research EducationSpin offs Applications Technology Transfer

6. Science & Technology Park of Crete 6 STEP-C INCUBATOR More than 100 offices and flexible lab space (~4000 sq.m) Financed by: EU, National & Regional funds Incentives offered by FORTH (low rent, free services) Incentives offered by the National Government August 2006 : 25 tenants, >800 new jobs created >60 new companies

7. Science & Technology Park of Crete 7 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

8. Science & Technology Park of Crete 8 METHODOLOGY 1. Collaboration with the private sector for the establishment of New Technology Based Firms 2. Collaboration with VC firms for spin-off financing 3. Institutional Enterprises (FORTH Labs sell products and offer services to the private and public sectors, e.g. DNA enzymes, biotech products, laser applications) 4. Establishment of New Technology Firms at STEP-C 5. Licensing agreements 6. Support students and researchers to start up new firms

9. Science & Technology Park of Crete 9 SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES (1) FORTH Spin-off companies 1. FORTHnet SA (Group of companies) ICT Company First academic spin-off in Greece Est. 1995 by FORTH & Minoan Lines SA A group of 8 companies >600 employees 2000: Athens stock exchange Today's Shareholders: FORTH, Wide public NOVATOR Group & Other Private Funds www.forthnet.gr 2. FORTH Photonics SA Medical instruments (Imaging Diagnosis) Financed by VC, 2800000 + 1M PRAXE Progr. FORTH Photonics funded by the DTI/UK for Clinical Trials of Non-invasive Cervical Cancer diagnostic Device DySIS www.forth-photonics.gr

10. Science & Technology Park of Crete 10 SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES (2) FORTH Spin-off companies 3. FORTH med (Integrated Health Telematics Network) www.hygeianet.gr Virtual Electronic HealthCare Record (EHCR) enables autonomous healthcare facilities to operate in a cooperative working environment and apply continuity of care. Primary Health Care Center Information System (PHCCIS) implements a generic and broad-spectrum patient record to be used by General Practitioners. Pre-Hospital Health Emergency Management System (PHEMS) contributes to the development of an integrated regional telemedicine network MAIN STAKEHOLDERS Region of Crete FORTH FORTHnet SA OTE SA OANAK UNIVERSITY of CRETE Healthcare Providers 4. MINOS BIOSYSTEMS Plc (Transposon technology) Minos BioSystems has developed, with its academic collaborators, genetic tools using transposons and related gene transfer technology for diverse applications in the field of agriculture and healthcare including: The company acquired rights to transposon technology developed in Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas and in Erasmus University, Rotterdam Financed by a Scottish VC company www.minosbiosystems.com

11. Science & Technology Park of Crete 11 SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES (3) Companies established by Students & Researchers § INFOCHARTA LTD www.infocharta.gr § VIRTUAL TRIP LTD www.v-trip.com § CYTECH LTD www.cytech.gr § NOVELTECH Ltd Institutional Enterprises MINOTECH biotechnology (www.minotech.gr) MICROCHEMISTRY IMMUNODIAGNOSTICS

12. Science & Technology Park of Crete 12 UNISTEP UNISEP UNIversity Students Entrepreneurship Programme Crete Innovative Actions Programme (CRINNO) Joint effort of: University of Crete, Technical University of Crete, Science & Technology Park of Crete 2004-2005 : 20 pilot projects Total budget : 400000 Financed by ERDF, National Funds 10 projects, Technical University of Crete (Chania ) 10 projects, in Heraklion University of Crete : 4 Science & Technology Park : 6 ICT, Biotechnology, Chemical Technology, Medical Technology, Microelectronics, Energy (2 in the phase of negotiations with VC)

13. Science & Technology Park of Crete 13 UNISTEP METHODOLOGY IDEA EVALUATION/SELECTION IMPLEMENTATION STUDENT/GROUP OF STUDENTS + Administrative/Technological Support + Mentoring Training 4 courses Entrepreneurship Legal issues/Admin. Business Planning Product development

14. Science & Technology Park of Crete 14 LESSONS LEARNED & FUTURE OUTLOOK 1. High level of mobility (in particular the best students) KEY ISSUE : RETENTION OF GRADUATES Brain drain Brain drain is one of the most important problems for the region (only 35 % of the graduates stay in Crete) 2. Formal teaching of entrepreneurship is necessary 3. Need to establish a Regional seed capital fund 4. Intermediary organisations and supportive mechanisms (ILOs, Incubators) play an important role 5. IPR issues is necessary to be clarified 6. Mentoring of students is very supportive

15. Science & Technology Park of Crete 15 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION Information Tel. 2810 391908 www.stepc.gr saitakis@stepc.gr