Many international networks are active in the field of technology transfer and give the opportunity to: be in touch with pairs at the international level, access to training and seminars, exchange of good practices and experiences, find partners or investors, promote an innovation and much more. The choice of the network of which you could be a member can be a challenge. The goal of this practice is to give you a quick overview of the existing organisations, and can be a guide for the choice of such a network.

1. International Technology Transfer Networks
FITT
– Fostering Interregional Exchange in ICT Technology Transfer –
www.FITT-for-Innovation.eu
Except where otherwise noted, this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

2. Practice in general
 Many different objectives can be achieved by joining an international TT
oriented network:
• Get in touch with pairs.
• Share experiences.
• Exchange vision.
• Find solution to specific issues
• Have access to practical tools.
• Have access to high level trainings or seminars.
• Be active in workgroups.
• Professionalize his activities.
• Increase the visibility of his organisation.
• Find new partners
• Promote his innovations.
2 | March 2010 International Technology Transfer Networks

3. Practice in general
 Many networks are active in the field of TT. The choice of the network of
which we could be a member can be a challenge.
 The goal of this practice is to give a quick overview of the existing
networks. A description of the networks, the type of membership, the
access to trainings, the events that are organized, the geographic area of
activity, some particulars materials,… are elements that can give a
clearer vision to guide the choice of a network.
 The list of the networks that are described in this tool is non exhaustive. The list was constructed
by listing the one in which the members of the FITT project are active. If you manage or are
member of a network that is not referenced here, feel free to contact us and we will check the
possibility of addition
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4. PROTON
 ProTon Europe, the European Knowledge Transfer Association.
 Innovation from public research.
 Reaches out to almost 600 universities & public research organisations across Europe.
 The voice for the KT profession in the development of European and national knowledge
transfer policy.
 http://www.protoneurope.org/
 Proton Europe secretariat:
• Rue des Palais 44, B-1030, Brussels ;
• (T) +32 2211 3432; (F) +32 2211 3405;
• secretariat@protoneurope.org
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5. ASTP
 Non-profit Association of European Science & Technology Transfer Professionals
The mission of ASTP is to professionalize and promote technology and knowledge
transfer between the European science base and industry
 The association consists of more than 500 members, covering 35 countries. The majority
of the members are Technology Transfer Professionals at public knowledge institutions
 http://www.astp.net/
 ASTP Office:
• Rue Koninginnegracht 22; 2514 AB The Hague ;The Netherlands
• T: +31 (0)70 3926374; Fax: +31 (0)70 3926375
• E-mail: secretary@astp.net;
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6. LESI
 The Licensing Executives Society International (LESI) is an umbrella organization for
the 32 national and regional LES societies, each composed of men and women who have
an interest in the transfer of technology, or licensing of intellectual property rights - from
technical know how and patented inventions to software, copyright and trademarks.
 http://www.lesi.org
 Regional society for Europe: http://www.les-europe.org/
 In Europe:
LES Austria, LES Benelux, LES Britain & Ireland, LES Croatia, LES Czech Republic, LES
France, LES Germany, LES Hungary, LES Italy, LES Poland, LES Russia, Scandinavia, LES
Spain & Portugal, LES Switzerland.
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7. AUTM
 The Association of University Technology Managers to promote, support and improve
academic technology transfer worldwide and demonstrate its benefits globally through education,
advocacy, networking and communication.
 Members come from more than 350 universities, research institutions, teaching hospitals and
government agencies as well as hundreds of companies involved with managing and licensing
innovations derived from academic and nonprofit research.
 http://www.autm.net
 AUTM Headquarters:
• 111 Deer Lake Road, Suite 100; Deerfield, IL 60015, USA
• T: 847.559.0846; F: 847.480.9282
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8. TII
 Technology Innovation International (TII) is an association of technology transfer
and innovation support professionals.
 TII members are promoting or providing high quality innovation support and technology
transfer services to firms, with the ultimate aim to develop the knowledge economy and
boost the wealth creation process.
 http://www.tii.org
 Contact:
• T: +352-46 30 351
• tii@tii.org
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9. EARTO
 EARTO is the trade association of Europe’s specialised research and technology
organisations (RTO’s).
 Its members make a major contribution to strengthening economic competitiveness and
social development in Europe by supporting product, process and service innovation in all
branches of industry and services, public and private
 EARTO represents RTOs with a total staff of some 150,000 scientists, engineers and
technicians
 http://www.earto.org/
 EARTO Office:
• Rue Joseph II, 36-38, B-1000 Brussels
• T: +32.2-502 86 98 F: +32.2-502 86 93
• office@earto.eu
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10. EIRMA
 The European Industrial Research Management Association (EIRMA) exists so that
companies can improve the management and organisation of their R&D and
innovation activities.
 EIRMA is an organisation which deals with the effective global management and
organisation of business R&D and innovation within a European perspective. EIRMA
engages over 150 major companies which are based in over 20 countries and operate in
a wide range of sectors.
 http://www.eirma.org/
 EIRMA Offices:
• Rue Lauriston 46, F-75116 Paris
• T: +33 (0)1 53 23 83 10 F: +33 (0)1 47 20 05 30
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11. E.E.N.
 The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) helps small companies make the most of the
business opportunities in the EU.
 A one-stop shop for all business needs:
• Going international
• Technology transfer
• Access to finance
• Research funding
• Advice on EU law and standards
• Intellectual property and patents
• Speak up on EU law
 http://www.enterprise-europe-network.ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm
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12. IASP
 The International Association of Science Parks (IASP) connects Science Park
professionals from across the globe.
 IASP is 375 members, 200.000 companies located in members’ parks, 70 countries with
members.
 http://www.iasp.ws
 IASP World headquarters:
• C/ Maria Curie, 35 (PTA), 29590 Campanillas, Malaga. Spain
• T +34 95 202 83 03, F +34 95 202 04 64
• iasp@iasp.ws
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13. TAFTIE
 The European network of innovation agencies.
 Through TAFTIE, a group of 23 organisations from 21 European countries has established
an intense collaboration in the field of the implementation of national technology
Programmes. This is to the benefit of both their governments and regular customers.
 http://www.taftie.org
 Contact:
• The chair rotates every year among members
• Assistant secretariat: T: +31 345 613 013; F: +31 345 630 180
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14. EICI
 The European Interest Group on Creativity and Innovation (“EICI”) connects local
and regional stakeholders that foster this relationship in order to make Europe’s
economy more competitive and sustainable.
 EICI is currently being established. It wishes to enable local and regional agencies and
other stakeholders to actively participate in EU initiatives concerning creative industries,
culture and innovation.
 http://www.creativity-innovation.eu
 Contact:
• MFG Baden Württemberg mbH (Stuttgart, Germany)
• Tel. 49 711 90715-336
• EICI-info@mfg.de
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15. Other links
 National or regional TT networks
• France: CURIE network – valorisation de la recherche publique - www.curie.asso.fr
• Canada: FPPT - Federal Partners in Technology Transfer – www.fptt-pftt.gc.ca
• Australia: AIC – Australian Institute for commercialisation - www.ausicom.com
• Spain: redOTRI - red de Oficinas de Transferencia de Resultados de Investigacion- www.redotriuniversidades.net
• Belgium (Wallonia): LIEU – Liaison Entreprises Universités – www.reseaulieu.be
• Brasil: FORTEC – Fórum Nacional de Gestores de Inovação e Transferência de Tecnologia www.fortec-br.org
• UK: AURIL - Association for University Research and Industry Links - www.auril.org.uk/
• …
 Other networks
• EBN: European BIC (business & Inovation Centers) Network - http://www.ebn.be/
• KREATEK: cluster mit Kreativität und Technologie – www.kreatek.de
• Bwcon: Technologie und Innovation für Baden-Württemberg – www.bwcon.de
• PraxisUnico: Commercialising research – www.praxisunico.org.uk
• BVCA: British Venture Capital Association – www.bvca.co.uk
• KTNs: Knowledge Transfer Networks – www.ktnetworks.co.uk
• ...
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• ...

16. Pro’s & Cons
 Pro’s
• Get in touch with pairs at the international level.
• Positioning of your organisation at the international level (visibility, make
your voice heard)
• Increase the level of your team (access to training, share experiences)
• Professionalize your activity (access to practical tools, lessons learned)
 Cons
• Time consuming
• Difficulty to finance these activities (fees, travel & accommodation)
16 | March 2010 International Technology Transfer Networks