Proof of Concept

There is no doubt that it is difficult to transfer inventions developed in academic settings to the marketplace. In many cases, the process of transferring a technology to the market is stalled when it is at a development stage that is no longer suitable for receiving public funding, but is not yet suitable for attracting the attention of the private sector either.

Since 2016, Politecnico di Torino has been one of the first universities in Italy to implement Proof of Concept (PoC) projects to fill this funding gap. PoC programs are applied research funding programs aimed at bringing technologies from the initial development stage to a sufficiently developed stage aimed at allowing the private sector to recognize their commercial potential, whether through the application of these technologies in an industrial setting or the establishment of new entrepreneurial ventures.

    Different types of PoCs

    To meet the different needs that these two commercialization paths present, over the years, two different types of Proof of Concept programs have been implemented:

    Stage I PoCs

    Programs created to fund the first development stages of a technology, are usually distributed in the form of grants. They may comprise specific education paths for the direction of technology transfer you wish to undertake (license vs. entrepreneurial path). The involvement of market actors in the PoC project is considered a plus to receiving the funding granted by the PoC. Stage I PoCs are currently available from Fondazione Compagnia di Sanpaolo and from the NODES ecosystem (within the PNRR action plan).

    Name of Call

    Focus

    Application

    Info

    PoC Instrument Compagnia di Sanpaolo 

    Generic

    specific deadlines

    brevetti.spinoff@polito.it

    BiMeC Proof of Concept Biomedical and Medical Technologies 29/06/2023
    Bando PoC Accademici - Spoke 1 Aerospace and sustainable mobility 30/06/2023
    Bando PoC Accademici - Spoke 2

    Green technologies and sustainable industries

    30/06/2023
    Bando PoC Accademici - Spoke 4 Digital and sustainable mountain 30/06/2023
    Bando PoC Accademici - Spoke 5 Healthcare industry and silver economy 16/06/2023
    Bando PoC Accademici - Spoke 7 Agroindustry processes 30/06/2023

    Stage II PoCs

    Usually provided by investment funds, these PoCs are available only for supporting the development of new spin-offs. These programs require researchers to evaluate the potential setting up of a start-up at the end of the project (in which the investor will participate in exchange for funding provided with the PoC), as well as binding the IP involved in the project.

    Name of Call

    Focus

    Application

    Info

    Eureka! Venture

    Innovative Materials 

    open call

    brevetti.spinoff@polito.it

    Tech4Planet

    CleanTech and sustainability

    open call

    finanziamenti.cdp@polito.it

    PoC support services

    • identification of the most suitable PoC instrument for the project
    • support in the application phase
    • preparation for the selection pitch
    • preparation and management of follow-on meetings with stakeholders
    • IPR protection
    • promotion and valorization of the project

    PoC @ Polito

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    POC PROJECTS FUNDED (up to 30/04/2023)
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    MILLIONS OF € DISTRIBUTED
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    OF CONCLUDED PROJECTS HAVE BEEN COMMERCIALISED
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    Researchers involved