PERIODO: NOVEMBRE -MAGGIO 2017

Objectives and structure of the course
The course aims to develop, in an integrated and interdisciplinary way, skills related to the application of results of scientific and technological research, targeting them toward the creation of new business ventures.
In particular, the course will address fundamental concepts and tools for the assessment of the economic value and market potential of technological innovations, with a strong emphasis on direct applications for the definition of a start-up strategy. The course will also provide an in depth discussion of intellectual property rights (IPR) and the possible options for their economic exploitation.
In order to achieve these results, the course has been divided in two parts:
a. The first part of the course will start with the theoretical discussion of themes related to entrepreneurships and intellectual property rights. The course will provide an in-depth discussion of the different dimensions of the business model canvas. The students will also start working in teams on a real business creation case based on a specific patent owned by Politecnico di Torino. Students will learn techniques for patent searching and will apply methods for technology assessment based on patent data mining.
Deliverable: The students, organized in teams, develop a business idea which is based on a patent owned by Politecnico di Torino. Each team will also present a detailed patent landscape analysis for technology assessment. Each team will give a pitch aimed at presenting to classmates the results.

b. The second part of the course will involve a substantial development of the team project work in order to generate a comprehensive proposal for a new venture. This part of the course will also involve a set of lectures dedicated innovation strategy, the assessment of final market characteristics, the identification of financial needs and related financial sources for a start-up. The project work will involve research activities for the collection of data to support the strategic planning of the new venture. Students will be supported by external mentors and there will be intermediate presentations to provide feedbacks on the advancement of the projects. Students will present the final results of their projects to a panel of practitioners that will include entrepreneurs, business angels and representatives of financial intermediaries.
Deliverable: The students will propose a comprehensive business plan for a new start-up based on a patent owned by Politecnico di Torino. The final report will include a detailed analysis of the patented technology, the proposed product/services, the relevant market, the entry strategies, the financial requirements. Each team will give a pitch in front of a panel of entrepreneurs, business angels and representatives of financial intermediaries.
This course is open to 40 students max.

PROGRAMMA
I Part (from November to February – 30 lecture hours and 20 teamwork hours):
Research to Business
- From Research to Business: General Introduction
- Technology Transfer at a Glance
- An Overview on "Innovation"
Business Model Canvas
- Definition of a Business Model
- The concept of Value Proposition vs. Idea/technology
- Customer Segments
- The Channels
- Industry and Market Analysis
Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)
- Introduction to IPRs
- Economic characteristics and contents of patent documents.
- International patent systems and patent filing routes
- Patent searching: methods and databases
- Technology assessment through patent landscaping techniques

II Part (from March to May – 16 lecture hours and 44 teamwork hours)
Innovation Strategy
- Fundamentals of innovation strategy
- Technology diffusion and the timing of market entry
- Technological standards, innovation and IPRs
- Business cases
Economics and Financial Projections
- The basics of economics and financials for a startup
- Life cycle stages and cash flow needs
The financing of innovation and the private equity markets
- The sources of financial constraints
- Business Angeles and Venture Capital Market
- Alternative sources of finance
Exploitation models for IPRs
- IP valuation methods
- Key elements of a licensing agreement
- Business cases on cross-licensing and enforcement
Dry run presentations

CALENDARIO
The first lecture with the presentation of the course is scheduled for 14th November 2016 at 9.00 room 6C


PART I

14.11.2016 - 9.00 -12.00 Room XXX Introduction to the course Prof. Paolucci Prof. Scellato

15.11.2016 - 9.00 -11.00 Room XXX Innovation and technology Prof. Paolucci Dott. Caviggioli

16.11.2016 - 9.00 -12.00 Room XXX Intellectual Property Rights (I)
- Fundamentals of the economics of IPRs and patents
- Patentability requirements and the extent of legal protection provided by patents
- How to read a patent: technological classifications, claims and key dates of the patent filing process.
- Examples and analysis of real cases
Prof. Scellato

23.11.2016 - 9.00 -12.00 Room XXX
Intellectual Property Rights (II)
- Patent filing routes
- International extension and the relevant markets
- Introduction to patent databases
Prof. Scellato

29.11.2016 - 14.00 -16.00 Room XXX Presentation of selected patents Prof. Scellato Prof. Paolucci

12.12.2016 - 9.00 – 12.00 Laib YYY Workshop on patent searching Prof. Scellato

14.12.2016 - 9.00-12.00 ROOM XX Technology assessment and patent landscaping: methods and examples Prof. Scellato Dott. Caviggioli

10.01.2017 - 9.00-12.00 ROOM XXX The markets for IP assets and the economic exploitation of patents
-Overview of the main channels for the exchange of IP assets
- Patent valuation methods
- Analysis of the basic components of IP licensing agreements Prof. Scellato

17.01.2017 - 9.00-12.00 ROOM XXX Technology evolution and innovation strategy
Technology diffusion processes, dominant design and the timing of market entry.
IPRs, innovation and technological standards
Prof. Scellato

07.02.2017 - 9.00-12.00 ROOM XXX Analysis of business cases on IP management Prof. Scellato