1. Imperatives on Research Commercialization;
Technology Transfer & Entrepreneurship Partnerships
13th October, 2016
Sami Bashir – PhD, RTTP
Technology Transfer Office
King Abdullah University of Science & Technology – KAUST

2. Discussion Points: Context of Public-Private Partnerships
What are the boundaries?
Partnership Models
Partnerships in KAUST Ecosystem
Outlook

3. 1. Context of Public-Private Partnerships
Market
Human  Universities Government  Business 
Discovery

4. 1. Context of Public-Private Partnerships
Scientists/Engineers/Professionals
Inventors
Entrepreneurs
Human
Technology Transfer Offices
Sponsored Research Offices
Legal Offices
Universities
Ministries
Regulatory Offices
Legal & Judiciary
Government
Industries
Investors
Start-ups
Business

5. 1. Context of Public-Private Partnerships
 KAUST Reserved Rights
The relation between university and start-up is ideal representation of a public-private partnership
This gives understanding at the micro-level on needs and challenges
At the macro-level, what activities/models that can be adopted to face some of the challenges
Finally, predict the prospect of the innovation ecosystem

6. 2. What are the boundaries?
Ideally boundaries must be clearly delineated and seamlessly operating, but life is far from being ideal….
Boundaries between legal, financial, employment, and technology
The government is taking considerable initiatives to close gaps
Different innovation ecosystems and
different partnership models and interactions
between universities and entrepreneurs.

7. 3. Partnership Models
Economic cities; e.g. King Abdullah Economic City Partnership Initiatives
Industrial cities; e.g. Yanbu Industrial City
Technology Research Parks; e.g. Makkah Techno-valley
Incubators; e.g. Badir Program at KACST
Talents Training & Support; e.g. Mawhiba
Industries; e.g. Waed

8. 4. Partnerships in KAUST Ecosystem

9. 4. Partnerships in KAUST Ecosystem
In addition;
Mentorship
Training
Connections and networking
PROOF-OF-CONCEPT
NEW COMPANIES
FIELD STATION

10. 5. Outlook
Skilled human capital and manpower are progressively growing
Positive steps in narrowing technology development/product gaps
Engagement with policy and decision makers still needed in areas such as:
1- IP Framework and enforcement
2- Financial and company regulatory framework
3- Labor and employment laws
Encouraging signs on industry investment on start-ups
Likely model to have government/industry co-investing to push
Innovation and new technologies

11. THANK YOU innovation.kaust.edu.sa ip@kaust.edu.sa @KAUSTinnovation