Spin-off recognition and licensing
Spin-off consulting
Entrepreneurs can contact ETH Entrepreneurship for consulting services. We offer information on funding, spin-off label application, courses, events and more. We put together an FAQ with many topics for founders, have a look: FAQs for founding a start-up at ETH
Spin-off Label Recognition
"ETH spin-off" is a label which the Vice-President of Knowlegde Transfer and Corporate Relations awards. Start-ups with an affiliation to ETH Zurich can apply for the label.
Criteria
Start-up founders can apply for the spin-off label when the requirements are met. Criteria are among others:
- The start-up commercializes technology, software or knowhow from ETH Zurich.
- At least one founder is affiliated to ETH Zurich (e.g. former ETH employee or ETH Alumnus).
- The business case should be sound and have an impact on the Swiss economy.
Benefits
An officially recognized ETH spin-off has access to the ETH spin-off community. The community connects entrepreneurs to a wide network of relevant stakeholders in the regional start-up ecosystem. Moreover, for a limited duration ETH spin-offs benefit from favorable conditions, i.e. renting offices, lab space and specialized equipment.
Application process
- Start-ups get in touch with the respective ETH Entrepreneurship manager and schedule a meeting.
- Start-ups send their application to the spin-off licensing managers of ETH transfer.
protected page Template - Application for spin-off label
- If a start-up also applies for its domicile at ETH Zurich or with Wyss, please contact the licensing managers directly.
Licensing
If a start-up would like to commercialize a technology from ETH Zurich, depending on the case, a licensing agreement is required.
- Patented inventions from ETH Zurich require a license. ETH transfer and the start-up negotiate the licensing contract.
- Software: If the software was developed at ETH Zurich, the start-up needs to sign a licensing contract with ETH transfer.
- Knowhow and data: This is case dependent. Consulting with ETH transfer will clarify the situation.
