Universities introduce joint contracts for research startups

Researchers at all Danish universities will now have access to common standard contracts when starting research-based companies. The initiative is part of a broad political agreement on increased knowledge and technology transfer and will make it significantly easier to commercialize research.

“It’s very positive that we as a sector are now rolling out the new standard contracts. This means that the country’s researchers will have a level playing field in this area, and the process of commercializing research will be simpler, faster and cheaper. In this way, universities will be able to more effectively translate their research into societal solutions,” says Brian Bech Nielsen, Rector of Aarhus University and Chair of Universities Denmark.

The new agreements mark the first time that all universities use the same contractual basis in this area.

Goodbye to different terms

So far, researchers have faced different terms and processes depending on the university and negotiation process. This has made the spin-out process both complex and time-consuming – especially in a phase where the focus should be on product development and market.

The new standard contracts give researchers access to simple, publicly available models for license agreements. Regardless of which model is chosen, founders do not have to pay upfront costs and overall costs are reduced.

The contracts are developed in close collaboration between universities, the entrepreneurial community and business organizations and are based on best practices from both Denmark and abroad.

Strengthens innovation muscle

The aim is to create a more flexible and transparent contractual framework that supports the growth of research-based companies.

“We’re creating a more flexible and user-friendly contractual basis for universities, researchers and entrepreneurs and helping to strengthen Denmark’s innovation muscle even further. The universities are already looking at whether the contracts can be further expanded and at creating even better conditions for research-based companies,” says Andreas Blohm Graversen, Deputy Director of Innovation at the University of Copenhagen and chair of the Danish Universities’ Innovation Policy Committee.

At the same time, a reader’s guide has been created to guide researchers through the agreement complex and provide an overview of rights and obligations.