They help commercialize research from Lund University, mostly in technology, life science, food, social innovations and nanoscience.

LU Innovation has two sections: one a part of the public authority and the other a holding company, which function as one unit. Through the public authority part, they offer researchers and students at Lund University business development, advice on patents or legal matters and funding to test, verify or accelerate an idea. Through the holding company, LU Holding, the University can work operationally to bring new innovations to the market, by becoming part owner of research-based companies or helping to license research results to established companies.

Experience

Since 1999 they have invested in around 80 new research companies that have generated over 3,000 man-years of employment and close to SEK 900 million in tax revenue.

How much do they invest?

In the commercialisation process, LU Innovation provides financial support to strengthen the development of the projects by reducing risk and improving market potential.

LU Holding AB invests at an early stage when the risk is considerable and can offer to fund of up to SEK 500 000 in the form of equity capital. In addition to the financial support, LU Innovation engages in board work to help provide the young companies with experience, contacts, and strategic decisions.

How do they work?

If you are a researcher or a student at Lund University, contact LU Innovation with a brief description of your idea or make an appointment with one of the Business Developers, who will help you decide how to proceed.

This makes a difference to them

For commercialisation support to individual researchers or students, it is better to contact LU Innovation too early than too late. Make early contact, already when you are setting up your project. You don’t need to be an entrepreneur but you do need to be involved.

In order for the holding company to invest in a company, the latter must be assessed as having a major potential for growth and be based on innovative technology or methods. In addition, the researcher or researchers behind the company must be willing to take in external capital if necessary and to complete the team with further skills.