Danish universities have untapped potential for the commercialisation of research, and AU - as one of the country's leading knowledge and research institutions - has a major role to play. The many ideas from researchers and students from all parts of AU must be helped out into the world to make a positive difference - and in many cases, the commercialisation of a given solution can have a greater impact than if the solution remains within the research environment. The purpose of AU's innovation and commercialisation activities is therefore to create the greatest possible impact, while taking into account other core tasks related to education, research and collaboration. AU must make a greater impact on society through commercialisation efforts.

Key principle

• AU works with innovation and commercialisation to create new solutions, products, technologies, treatments and jobs - for the benefit of society.

AU is a research-intensive university that encompasses all disciplines and where each academic environment comes up with new solutions to problems that can lead to positive changes in society. Therefore, AU works to commercialise ideas and solutions from all parts of the university. 

However, this does not mean that the approach to commercialisation should be the same across academic fields. Some fields work with inventions where the application may be unknown and the market clarification uncertain. In these cases, AU needs to prioritise resources to incur patent expenses at an early stage and take a high risk while working to develop the inventions in question, for example financed by Proof-of-Concept funds. Conversely, there are also subject areas where inventions are closer to the market, which is why there is a need to prioritise work on licensing agreements with industry. In addition to this, there are fields where it is not relevant to work with patent protection, but where there is a need for other forms of business support. The commercialisation initiative embraces all of these approaches.

Key principle

• AU uses a differentiated approach where the commercial potential of new inventions, business ideas and solutions is actively and continuously assessed in order to support new solutions from the entire university, taking into account funding and risk profile.

Generally, AU does not take co-ownership in spinout companies based on inventions created at the university. This is due to the fact that co-ownership is generally not considered conducive to impact, which is the main purpose of the commercialisation efforts.  At the same time, it is not part of AU's core task to be co-owners of companies. However, AU may choose to take co-ownership in cases where it is deemed appropriate - and where this is desired by researchers and/or investors. The ownership will generally entail a limited share of the company.

Key principle

• Aarhus University does not generally take co-ownership in spinout companies based on inventions created at the university.

Going from being a researcher or student to working with entrepreneurship or innovation is a journey, and the two worlds can be very far apart. Researchers and students are not at AU with the primary purpose of becoming entrepreneurs - but it is an ambition that both researchers and students consider entrepreneurship an opportunity and an integral part of an educational or professional programme. AU will therefore place a greater focus on the opportunities for becoming an entrepreneur and support a smooth interaction. It is important that researchers and students acquire the skills and knowledge to translate research into new solutions. AU will therefore provide advice on commercialisation, innovation and entrepreneurship. At the same time, support of the existing network of entrepreneurs from the university will increase knowledge sharing about entrepreneurship and commercial activities.

Key principle

• AU will increase focus on entrepreneurship as a learning journey and motivate and engage researchers and students to work with concrete solutions.

As part of the innovation efforts at AU, there are initiatives - such as Open Innovation in Sciences and Open Science - that align with a fundamental aspiration for openness and transparency in the research environment. These models complement the classic models of commercialisation. At the same time, geopolitical developments have led to a general need to sharpen Danish universities' approach to international research and innovation work (URIS).  Through the innovation and commercialisation initiatives at AU, models will be developed that match the new approaches in Open Science and Open Innovation in Sciences. The models will be developed with respect for both commercial and geopolitical considerations.

Key principle

• As part of the commercialisation efforts at AU, new models and approaches are developed that match other research and innovation initiatives.

To realise the commercialisation potential, it is necessary for business developers to work closely with the academic environments. Business developers must have a regular presence in the academic environments where this is needed and act as a bridge to the market. At the same time, there is a need for awareness of the commercialisation opportunities within the given field at the individual faculties and departments, including in relation to funding and sparring with relevant networks and investor groups.

Key principle

• AU will prioritise the scouting of potential commercialisation cases and increase the visibility of commercialisation activities for researchers.

AU's innovation work is dependent on a strong surrounding innovation ecosystem. A wide range of inventions, solutions and technologies have a harder time being realised if there is no strong ecosystem supporting the path from university to market. Therefore, AU will actively contribute to strengthening the innovation ecosystem. This will be done through events, match-making and by involving the ecosystem's players in innovation programmes at AU.

Key principle

• AU will work to strengthen the innovation ecosystem in Østjylland (the region of Eastern Jutland).

Innovative solutions to problems and societal challenges can come from all subject areas at Aarhus University. However, across different innovation activities at Aarhus University, as in society in general, there is a diversity challenge. There will be even more solutions and inventions in the future if a more diverse environment is fostered. It is therefore our ambition to strengthen the diversity of the entrepreneurial and innovational environment at Aarhus University.

Key principle

• AU aims to strengthen the diversity of the entrepreneurial and innovational environment at Aarhus University.