Case Studies

The Knowledge Exploitation Fund (WDA)

14/09/2006

BIC Innovation were commissioned by the Welsh Development Agency to develop and deliver an intellectual property (I.P.) and commercial exploitation training programme for Further Education Institutions (FEI) across Wales.

We developed and managed the evaluation process for the Patent and Proof of Concept Fund, evaluating a total of 24 commercial proposals worth £3.6M.

The contract involved research and development of the FEED (Further Education and Exploitation Development) programme for all 23 Further Education colleges in Wales.

The bid was split into three parts - outlining the development of FEED, the delivery of FEED for the main users at the FEIs and stakeholder involvement.

As part of the proposed training programme BIC developed FEI’s capabilities for (i) identifying, developing and protecting IPR, (ii) for evaluating and developing commercialisation strategies and activities, and (iii) in commercial and technical project management (i.e. consultancy) (iv) policies and procedures and (v) how to develop a culture change for innovation.
This was accomplished by preparing a toolkit based upon the BIC’s approach for new product development and commercialisation activities, which was used successfully within the private and public sector.

Significant training of Entrepreneurship Champions and other key personnel at the FEI's was required to develop the capabilities needed to take innovative ideas forward in the future, so that their full potential can be realised.

FEED was designed for :
- Further Education Institutions who wish to consider commercialisation activities
- Revenue generation
- Broadening staff expertise and experience
- Expanding regional economic drivers