University of Twente joins new national standard for IP transfers to academic spin-offs

During the startup mission to Slush in Helsinki, Dutch universities presented a new national standard for agreements on the transfer of intellectual property (IP) to academic spin-offs. These National IP Deal Term Principles accelerate the transition from groundbreaking research to innovation, business, and societal value. The new agreements provide clarity in the transfer of IP and shares. The priority is to ensure a fair and market-based deal.

In 2023, the Dutch universities and several university medical centers introduced the first version of the IP Deal Term Principles, aimed at bringing speed, clarity, and equality to collaborations between researchers and start-ups, and to support the further growth of these companies.

“Since then, we have gained extensive practical experience applying these principles,” says Roy Kolkman, Director of the Knowledge & Technology Transfer Office at the University of Twente. “Based on insights from dozens of cases, national and international best practices, and extensive feedback from the field, we have further refined the principles.”

“Clear and fair agreements on intellectual property are crucial for accelerating the creation of spin-offs and increasing their scalability,” emphasizes Martine Nieuwenhuizen, Senior Investment Manager, Delft Enterprises. “And they contribute to both societal impact and a sound financial basis for further innovation,” says Brechtje Vreenegoor, Manager of the Knowledge Transfer Office at WUR. With the National IP Deal Term Principles, we create a level playing field where researchers, entrepreneurs, and knowledge institutions strengthen each other. This also increases opportunities for follow-up funding, enabling spin-offs with groundbreaking research results to grow into impactful companies.

Knowledge institutions will also collaborate more closely to generate more knowledge transfer. Together, they are establishing the Knowledge Exchange & Entrepreneurship Network – Netherlands (KEEN-NL), which will collaborate on further professionalizing knowledge transfer. KEEN-NL will also continue to evaluate and (if necessary) refine the IP Deal Term Principles together with universities, Techleap, and entrepreneurs.

About the IP Deal Terms Principles

The IP Deal Terms consist of principles based on which agreements are made regarding the transfer of intellectual property from research institutions to spin-offs. Maximizing the impact of research is central to this. Furthermore, it is important that the agreements are transparent and consistent, and that research institutions receive fair compensation for their IP. This means that Dutch IP compensation is competitive compared to international standards. Furthermore, the scope of the IP Deal Terms has been broadened. Previously, they applied only to researchers who left their employment entirely. Now, they are also more widely applicable.

The IP Deal Terms were developed by the Knowledge Transfer Offices (KTOs) of Dutch universities, with input from Techleap. All universities will use the Deal Terms. Furthermore, the principles will soon be supported with practical tools, including legal documents for spin-off establishments, developed in collaboration with Capital Waters. Most university medical centers will also supplement the IP Deal Terms with a sector-specific version.