Researcher or doctoral student? Start here.
From research to societal benefit
Do you want your research to make a difference in society? At Lund University, guidance and support are available all the way through — from discussing research findings to finding funding for innovations, via the university's innovation office LU Innovation and company builder LU Ventures.
You can read more about the support available below. You don't need a finished concept or a clear plan to get started — we support around 400 researchers a year. The journey often begins with a conversation with an innovation developer, free of charge and tailored to wherever you are. It's never too early to get in touch!
The innovation process
Get tailored support to match your unique innovation journey. Here's the process at a glance.
1. Explore
2. Verify
3. Realise
Services
Patents, legal questions and IP
It can be worth clarifying issues relating to patentability and ownership at an early stage. Our patent and legal advisers can support you throughout the innovation process.
We provide support with regards to:
- Legal advice – e.g. ownership analysis, to clarify who owns what
- Searches in patent databases – to check whether your idea has already been patented or published
- Patent applications – support through the application process
- Advice on Intellectual Property (IP) strategy – support to protect your findings and innovation
- Licensing and agreements (e.g. MTA, NDA) – for those who need to share material or information with partners
Do you want to protect your idea – or are you unsure whether you can protect it at all?
At LU Innovation, there are patent advisers with expertise in intellectual property law and patents, as well as legal support to guide you through the rules and agreements.
Three things to bear in mind: patent your invention before you publish it, check that it is novel, and document it carefully.
Read more about how to approach intellectual property law and patents.
When you start a project with LU Innovation, our experts will work to ensure that you get the right support at the right time.
Additional questions? Here are the contact details for our experts:
Per Mercke
Email: per [dot] mercke [at] innovation [dot] lu [dot] se
Telephone: 046-222 12 67
Fredrik Edman
Email: fredrik [dot] edman [at] innovation [dot] lu [dot] se
Telephone: 046-222 12 86
Development and coaching
Many researchers want their research to benefit society, but are unsure how to go about it. We’ll help you navigate your unique journey.
- Personalised innovation coaching – one-to-one sessions focusing on your specific research and your next steps
- Our programmes:INSIGHTS – explore how your idea or research can create value, VALIDATE – test and verify the viability of your idea, ELEVATE – take the next step towards an external investment, BUSINESS TRACK – support for researchers setting up a spin-out company
- Access to networks and mentors – experienced entrepreneurs and industry contacts in your field
- Incubator – office space and a community for projects ready to scale
It all starts with a description of your idea and an initial assessment carried out in collaboration with LU Innovation. We’ll match you with an innovation developer who has relevant expertise and solid experience from both academia and industry.
There are usually no ready-made solutions, as innovation journeys are unique – but we have extensive experience, a tried-and-tested process and a large network. Whatever the discipline, and whether the goal is a commercial market or societal benefit, we’ll help you move forward step by step.
If we hadn’t spoken to an innovation developer, this might have remained nothing more than a good publication.
Researcher Lao Saal has developed the Pathlight test, which can diagnose cancer at an early stage.
Funding and verification grants
Funding is usually critical for an innovation to reach a wider audience. We can help you find the right funding, at the right time, and strengthen your application.
Examples of funding that our projects often apply for:
- Verification for growth (VFT), including proof of concept funding – LU Innovation administers funding from Vinnova to help projects move toward market — from around 10,000 SEK up to 1 million SEK, depending on activity and potential.
- Verification for growth of socially beneficial innovations – up to 150,000 SEK
- Sustainable Idea Exploration and Validation Support (Sustainability Fund, Lund University) – up to SEK 300,000
- Support with applying for external funding – e.g. the Novo Nordisk Foundation, ERC Proof of Concept
- Equity capital via LU Ventures – for those setting up a spinout in the fields of tech and life sciences
We organise Q&As with external funders, such as Sten K Johnson's Foundation and Vinnova, a few times a year. Keep an eye on our calendar or subscribe to our newsletter to keep updated about current opportunities!
For the researchers we meet, money is almost never the driving force – but almost all of them need funding to take an idea forward. LU Innovation can support you in finding the right funding and in preparing your application.
Through LU Innovation, you’re not just looking for money, but also for contacts and support.
– Johan Alling, Financial Support, LU Innovation
Equity capital
Lund University can also, via LU Ventures, provide financial support in the form of equity capital. By investing in a company, the University demonstrates that we believe in the idea – which also makes it easier for other investors to follow suit.
Setting up a spinout, licensing or establishing a partnership
There are many paths from research to society. We help you navigate how your research or solution can best create value – including through LU Ventures, the university’s business incubator for research-based spin-outs.
How LU Ventures can help you:
- Building the foundations: Support with company formation, funding strategy, communications, corporate governance and accounting.
- Team and board: Support in recruiting the right talent.
- Equity capital and convertible loans: Before the company is ready for investment, LU Ventures helps to finance the company and any patents, with the possibility of follow-on investments.
- Securing external investment: Support through the first round of funding and access to a network of investors.
This support is provided through the Business Track programme. Read more below.
Business Track is a joint programme run by LU Innovations and LU Ventures for those who wish to turn their research into a spin-out company. Working alongside you, we assess the potential, lay the foundations for the company and work to secure initial funding.
The programme is tailored to your goals. If you wish to remain in academia, we’ll help you recruit a team and a board of directors to take the company forward. If you wish to lead your spin-out yourself, we’ll create the conditions for that – with support during the start-up phase, mentoring and business expertise.
The journey involves three development phases, in active collaboration between you, LU Innovation and LU Ventures.
Find out more about the Business Track programme.
Explore the technology and life sciences portfolio.
How do I get started?
Discuss your research with an innovation developer
The innovation journey often begins with a conversation with an innovation developer at LU Innovation. The support is free of charge and tailored to your specific situation.
Book a meeting!Upcoming events, programmes & calls
Calendar
After Science Network for PhDs & postdocs
Join the After Science Network and discover how your research can create real-world impact.
Frequently asked questions about the innovation journey
LU Innovation accepts ideas at all stages, including early-stage and uncertain research. There is no requirement for a finished concept or proof of concept.
We usually say that ‘it’s never too early’. It’s important that you speak to us before you publish your findings. This makes it easier to protect them.
Your research and your results remain yours. LU Innovation offers legal advice and ownership mapping without making any claim to IP.
The innovation process often leads to patents, new grants and new research ideas — not just to companies. Most researchers continue their academic career alongside this work.
Sometimes it pays off to apply for a patent, sometimes it doesn't. Our IP specialists work with innovation projects from the start to put together a strong strategy.
How Sweden's professor's privilege works
As a researcher in Sweden, you have rights unique in the world to make use of your own research findings. Legal advisor Fredrik Engfeldt summarises the relevant legislation on professor's privilege (lärarundantaget) and secondary occupations (bisyssla).
What is the professor's privilege?
Professor's privilege is legislation that is unique to Sweden which gives you, as a researcher, the right to commercialise your own research results. Under this legislation, the responsibility for putting research to use lies with you as the researcher, not with the university. It applies to everyone conducting research, regardless of employment category, and primarily covers patentable inventions and material protected by copyright – but not physical material, information, or data.
Can I start my own company based on my research?
In general, yes. The professor's privilege normally gives you the right to transfer your research results into your own company. Every year, LU Innovation supports a large number of researchers through this process, helping to ensure it's done responsibly.
What do I need to consider if my company collaborates with the university?
One key aspect: Watch out for conflicts of interest – you cannot represent both the university and your own company in the same matter. If you're unsure, contact your head of department (prefekt).
How much can I work with my company alongside my position?
Secondary activities must be reported in advance via Primula (administrative system at Lund University). The work should not compete with or hinder your position at the university, and it must never damage trust in the university. Research and development-related secondary occupations within your own subject area have somewhat wider limits.
LU Innovation is happy to help you navigate questions about the professor's privilege, secondary activities, and conflicts of interest.
Read more about starting a company based on your research findings.
Read more about registering your secondary activity.
Patents, new research ideas and more funding
These are three things are often mentioned when we ask researchers what the innovation journey has contributed to – apart from the fact that the research is put to good use.
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