Technology Funding

TUM has developed a new instrument to support entrepreneurship in the area of food, nutrition and agriculture: the Bridge-to-Innovation Grant. The Bridge-to-Innovation Grant supports TUM Researchers that want to transfer the best innovative technology ideas from their lab to the market.

TUM offers up to 50k € within one year (max. 45.000€ for your project and max. 5.000€ for the hosting Chair), to bring your scientific idea from the lab to the market, in the area of food, nutrition and agriculture. The Bridge-to-Innovation Grant will support the most innovative technologies with the aim to reach a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5-6 (technology validated and demonstrated in relevant environment).

You can appy if:

• You have an technology/idea in the area of food, nutrition and agriculture
• You want to work on a proof of concept for an existing or a new technology with Technology Readiness Level (TRL) < 4 with the aim and the potential to reach a TRL = 5-6. You might have the option to use this idea as basis for an EIT Food Project application later on
• You are an employee of the Technical University of Munich
• You have a host Chair supporting you (compensation to the Chair for administrative tasks might reach up to 5.000 € from the total 50.000 € of the Grant)

What is the process ?

Step 1: Send the following documents to bridge-to-innovation.forte@tum.de (subject: “Bridge-to-Innovation”)

• Two-pager (word file) to describe your project including description of your idea, problem/solution fit, USP/the innovation, target group, market estimation and IP-strategy
• One-pager describing the current status of the development and how do you plan to increase your technology to TRL5 or 6 as well as a rough strategy for a further development of the product (TRL > 7)
• Detailed financial calculations (in an excel file) and a time scale to show us how you would use the 50k funding
• A letter stating that you will be supported by a Chair/Institute of TUM

Step 2:  An expert jury will evaluate your proposal and select the best projects

For questions, please contact henrich-burkhardt@zv.tum.de

In the context of the successful exploitation of inventions (research results eligible for patent protection), it may be necessary to improve them by means of application-related further development and thus to convince potential funding bodies or business partners of the invention's intrinsic value.

Since this often requires experimental work and thus personnel and material resources to implement the necessary optimization or further development of the invention, TUM offers a financing option to support such development work with the IP Advance Funding Program.

Requirements/criteria for such projects are:

• Justifiable need for further development within the scope of a TUM invention/patent application in order to improve the value.
• Evaluation of the funding application under the aegis of TUM ForTe P&L.
• Report on results and use of funds after completion of the project.

How does the process work?

Step 1: Send the following documents to siegers(at)zv.tum.de (Subject:"IP-Advance Funding")

• Description of the project, including description of your idea, problem/solution, work packages, USP/the innovation, target audience, IP strategy and market assessment.
• One-pager describing the current state of development of the underlying IP rights or IP applications of TUM, and how you plan to optimize the technology.
• Budget needed (broken down into personnel or non-personnel costs) and a time scale showing how you would use the funds.
• A letter of support from a TUM chair/institute/professorship stating that you will be supported in the implementation of your project (commitment to support, provision of resources), incl. assessment that the goal of the project can be fulfilled within the given time frame (6-12 months).

Step 2: A jury of experts will evaluate your grant application and select the best projects.

For any questions please contact Dr. Katja Siegers

Tel.: +49 89 289 22607
Fax.: +49 89 289 28381

siegers(at)zv.tum.de

For start-up-related projects, supporting the further development of existing start-up-relevant IP at TUM represents an opportunity to advance and complete important and funding-relevant development work and to bridge any funding gaps.

Requirements/criteria, for such projects are:

• In return for granting rights to the results from the funded project, a virtual participation of TUM in the spin-off is anticipated.
• Justifiable need for further development within the scope of a TUM invention/patent application in order to improve the value.
• Evaluation of the funding application under the aegis of TUM ForTe P&L.
• Report on results and use of funds after completion of the project.

How does the process work?

Step 1: Send the following documents to siegers(at),zv.tum.de (Subject: "TUM-Proof-of-Concept Funding")

• Description of the project, including description of your idea, problem/solution, work packages, USP/the innovation, target audience, IP strategy and market assessment.
• One-pager describing the current state of development of the underlying IP rights or IP applications of TUM and how you plan to optimize the technology.
• Budget needed (broken down into personnel or non-personnel costs) and a time scale showing how you would use the funds.
• A letter of support from a TUM chair/institute/professorship stating that you will be supported in the implementation of your project (commitment to support, provision of resources), incl. assessment that the goal of the project can be fulfilled within the given time frame (6-12 months).
• Name and status of the spin-off project, previous funding and funding applications being pursued.

Step2: A jury of experts will evaluate your grant application and select the best projects

For any questions please contact Dr. Katja Siegers

Tel.: +49 89 289 22607
Fax.: +49 89 289 28381

siegers(at)zv.tum.de