A methodology to promote business development from research outcomes in food science and technology

Valorization of knowledge produced in research units hasbeen a major challenge for research universities in contemporary societies. Theprevailing forces have led these institutions to develop a “third mission”, thefacilitation of technology transfer and activity in an entrepreneurialparadigm. Effective management of challenges encountered in the development ofacademic entrepreneurship and the associated valorization of knowledge producedby universities are major factors to bridge the gap between research and innovationin Europe. The need to improve the existing institutional knowledgevalorization processes, concerning entrepreneurship and business developmentand the processes required were discussed. A case study was designed todescribe the institutional knowledge valorization process in a food science andtechnology research unit and a related incubator, during a five year evaluationperiod that ended in 2012. The knowledge valorization processes benefited fromthe adoption of a structured framework methodology that led to ideas and teamsfrom a business model generation to client development, in parallel, whenpossible, with an agile product/service development. Although academicentrepreneurship engagement could be improved, this case study demonstrated thatstronger skills development was needed to enable the researcher to be moreaware of business development fundamentals and therefore contribute to researchdecisions and the valorisation of individual and institutional knowledgeassets. It was noted that the timing for involvement of companies in theresearch projects or programs varied with the nature of the research.