I´m working with setting up the Swedish technology transfer network and I have the privilege to spend a month with AUTM. I have been here for a week now and I have noticed many interesting things. For one, AUTM is a fantastic organization, for two, there are many similarities to Sweden regarding the challenges we faces within the network.
I have also been to Boston (met with MIT, BU and others) to learn about their system of innovation and technology transfer. Sweden has totally different laws; we have the teacher’s exemption meaning that the researchers own their IP for example. However, we have very similar processes when it comes to spin-of creations that I believe Sweden is very good at. What inspired me the most and what I take home with me was the way of communicating the core message; we heard pretty much the same thing in the different layers of the same organization. Another thing is the organized structured way of collaborating with industry, very impressive.
It’s similar sometimes but yet so different!