Knowledge valorisation

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Turning Research into Real-World Impact

How the Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) helps bring your research to society

Knowledge valorisation is the process of transforming research outcomes into societal and/or economic value. At the University of Twente, this means ensuring that the knowledge we create contributes to solving real-world challenges.
Through licensing, collaboration with industry and the creation of spin-offs, we help translate research into meaningful impact. As an entrepreneurial university, we aim to maximize the impact of our research.

Knowledge valorisation at the UT

The University of Twente’s KTO operates within the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem of Novel-T. This close collaboration connects researchers to a vibrant entrepreneurial network and decades of experience in turning high-tech ideas into tangible societal impact.

“Before you publish your results, talk to the KTO. We can assess whether your findings qualify for protection or patenting, advise on the right timing for publication, and guide you through the entire process.”

This is for you if...

This page is designed for researchers, PhD candidates, and research support staff who want to explore how their work can create impact beyond academia.

Support at every stage

Whether you’re developing an early-stage idea, validating a concept, or scaling a startup, the Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) is here to guide you. We provide personalized advice, funding opportunities, IP protection, entrepreneurship programmes, and connections to industry, supporting you from the first spark of innovation to full market launch.

Our team of experienced business developers and legal experts offers practical support in research valorisation, helping you navigate every step of the process.

In addition, the KTO is responsible for:

Filing patent applications on behalf of the university.
Negotiating the transfer of licensing of intellectual property rights from the university to established companies or spin-offs.

The university's KTO is housed at Novel-T. If you have any questions, please contact us via https://novelt.com/nl/support/spin-off/.

IP Ownership

UT owns the IP generated by its researchers, including PhD Students. If a bachelor's or master's student comes up with an idea outside the framework of an internship or research project, the rights belong to the student. However, if they come up with the idea associated with an internship or research project, other arrangements may apply. Please refer to the IPR guideline for students. In case students are participating in a research project it is necessary to agree on the IP ownership. A template can be downloaded below.

Our support process

- Before publishing your results, start by sharing your results/ideas with the KTO through the Invention Disclosure Form (IDF). This ensures your innovation is assessed for protection before publication.
Submit your idea via the Invention Disclosure Form
IDF
- Confidentiality is guaranteed.
- Contact via https://novelt.com/nl/support/spin-off/beschermen/
Our KTO experts review your disclosure to evaluate its innovative potential, market relevance, and alignment with UT’s research and valorisation strategy. Together, we help to determine the next steps and identify possible partners or funding opportunities.
We assess whether it is necessary for the valorisation of your research outcomes to protect them with a patent. Additionally, we check if there are third parties that have (option) rights to the IP.
Based on the assessment, we help you design a valorisation strategy tailored to your goals—whether through licensing, collaboration with industry, or spin-off creation. This includes guidance on business models, funding, and commercialization routes.
With your strategy in place, we support you in executing the plan: validation of the business case, applying for validation funding, connecting with industrial partners, or joining Novel-T’s entrepreneurship programmes.
Explore Novel-T programmes to boost your innovation journey.
The KTO is responsible for negotiating the IP transfer or licensing, ensuring fair terms for all parties involved. This may include licensing arrangements or transferring IP to a spin-off or external company.
For IP transfer to a spin-off, the KTO uses the National IP Deal Term principles, which are based on international best practices. In case the IP is offered to the spin-off in exchange for shares, the Universiteit Twente Holding (UTH) will be the shareholder
Our collaboration doesn’t end with the deal. We provide ongoing support—from monitoring impact and managing IP portfolios to connecting you with new opportunities and partners through the UT, UTH, and Novel-T networks.
In case the university receives revenues from the licensing or transfer of the IP to a spin-off or company, these revenues are shared amongst the inventors, research department, and KTO or UTH. More details can be found at https://www.utwente.nl/en/service-portal/services/hr/resources/downloads-staffmanual-en/regulations/implementing-rules-on-intellectual-property.pdf