Beyond licensing and spin-outs: A new agenda for university engagement

Are universities selling themselves short in the pursuit of income? The relentless pursuit of commercialisation often overshadows other, potentially more impactful, avenues for collaboration. While spin-offs and licensing transactions grab headlines, more relational forms of collaboration such as joint R&D, consulting, student mobility, dual study programs, and shared resources offer a more accessible and often more effective way for universities to engage with industry and contribute to innovation.

This brief challenges the prevailing focus on commercialisation and proposes a new paradigm for university engagement.

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University engagement extends beyond traditional commercialization efforts, encompassing diverse collaborative activities that drive innovation and societal impact. If you are interested in this topic, check out How KTH bridges academia and industry for impact, where we explore how KTH Royal Institute of Technology fosters collaborations that extend beyond licensing and spin-outs, emphasising joint research initiatives and shared resources to drive societal impact.