Forms of collaboration

Business Models

TECNALIA's Construction Unit seeks close proximity with the company. To achieve this, innovative models of business relationship have been developed, and they allow adaptation to the client’s real needs to be made.

Each case is studied exhaustively in order to select the most efficient mode of collaboration while working at all times according to strict criteria of confidentiality:

• Projects under contract
• Projects in collaboration
• Private funding of strategic R+D
• Technology - risk
• Sale of licences
• Participation in NTBs

The experience of the Construction Unit in collaboration with companies has led to the specifying of the following business models. Continually innovative and open to suggesting new forms of collaboration with its clients, it optimizes the service rendered to them.

Projects under contract

Specific collaboration

The company engages TECNALIA’s Construction Unit to do a one-off, short-term project: development of a new product/process or improvement of an existing one, resolution of a problem... in short, a specific need in a technological matter.

The development is carried out as required by the company which holds the rights over the results of the research.

Technology agreements of a multi-annual nature

Tailored, medium to long-term research plans are identified and developed for the company and they include technological prospection studies.

The idea is that TECNALIA should become one of the company’s technology partners through its involvement in its projects with an attitude of participation and co-operation.

Proximity to the client and knowledge of his problems also allows the taking of the initiative, being proactive, anticipating the client’s needs and generating fresh opportunities.

Projects in collaboration

These are projects in which TECNALIA’s Construction Unit co-operates with one or more companies by sharing the costs (each organisation funds its own development costs), and the results of the research.

Private funding of strategic R+D

This business model addresses the interest that companies have in going beyond the resolution of its one-off problems, the everyday aspect, and to gain access to the new technological advances in its spheres of action.

In this case, the client partly funds the strategic research done by TECNALIA in a specific area of interest to it. Depending on the type of collaboration agreement reached, the research plan can to a greater or lesser extent be specified by TECNALIA, the client himself or else it can be established jointly. It will of course always address the interest of the two organisations.

This way the company invests in medium- to long-term strategic research, and can obtain different benefits in return, depending on the negotiation with the centre: access to cutting-edge technology, rights over the results of the research (patents, NTBs, etc.), priority in the exploitation of the results, etc.

Technology - Risk

TECNALIA has been one of the pioneers in making this mode of collaboration available to companies.

It is a model of business suited to projects of great interest to the company, but which entail a high level of risk. TECNALIA’s Construction Unit accepts part of the development cost in exchange for participating in the exploitation profits.

So these are far-reaching technological projects for companies within the framework of a joint piece of work/agreement and with shared returns as well as risks.

Within this model of collaboration is the AUKERA Initiative, in which TECNALIA makes a great effort by contributing 50% of the cost of subcontracting projects of private initiative launched between 2009 and 2010. This initiative is geared towards companies based in the Basque Autonomous Community (region) which rely on R+D+i as one of the main driving forces to aspire to or maintain a competitive position in a future beyond the present crisis.

Sale of licences

Many exploitable results have emerged in non-industrial spheres as a result of the developments by TECNALIA’s Construction Unit.

The centre engages in an active policy to protect these developments by means of patents and other industrial property rights allowing them to be subsequently exploited.

TECNALIA enables companies to acquire patent licences in order to exploit them commercially.

Participation in NTBs

TECNALIA promotes the setting up and consolidation of New Technology-Based Firms as a means whereby the results of its research end up on the market.

Once an NTB has been set up, TECNALIA maintains a stake in it but never acquires the majority of the shares. So it is a good opportunity for those entrepreneurs seeking to invest in new business projects, either because they regard technology as an investment or because such initiatives complement their ongoing businesses.

How to Collaborate

Tailored solutions

TECNALIA adapts to the different needs of the company in technology matters.

Do you find yourself in one of the following situations?

• You want to develop a new idea, a new product or process.
• You need to solve a problem.
• You are seeking to improve a product or process.
• You need advice on your innovation process.
• You want to launch a new business and you are seeking:
  • Technological advice
  • A technological partner
• You are prepared to invest in new technology-based business projects.
• You are looking for a technology partner who will get involved in your projects.
• You regard investing in technology as being of interest.
• TECNALIA’s Construction Unit can help you. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.