The Profile of Researchers Moving Towards Scientific Entrepreneurship

Abstract

We review some of the skills that scientists who have become scientific entrepreneurs share. We advocate that it is possible to include technology transfer as a part of the scientific investigation not only as a collateral funding source but also as a way to reinforce the scientific advances and resulting communication. Traditionally, the technology-transfer process of scientific results has been mediated mainly by patents, even before the first prototype testing has been performed. Instead, we discuss the critical benefits of fast prototyping and develop strategies how to adequately monetize and establish the price of the products even at the prototype level. We also list several common failures of a technology-transfer project and some preventive actions to avoid them.