Information for founders

Links
www.YEP.ethz.ch
www.btools.ch
www.ctistartup.ch
www.ifj.ch
www.venture.ch
www.ventureincubator.ch

Topics

1. Definition

2. Promotion program

3. Licensing to ETH spin-offs

4. Contracts

5. Conflict of interest

6. Further information

The Young Entrepreneur Program (YEP), offers a free coaching session by skilled entrepreneurs

1. Definition - An ETH Zurich spin-off company:

• is a private company based on research results of ETH Zurich (intellectual property (IP), software, know-how, etc.),
• is founded by ETH Zurich employees or graduates, who act as entrepreneurs
• and is based on a solid, well-thought-out Business Idea

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2. Promotion program - How does ETH Zurich support its spin-offs?

Recognized ETH Zurich spin-offs will be supported by the following activities during the incorporation as well as during the first years after incorporation:

• Consulting and advice: ETH transfer will advise you about the first steps in founding a company. From the evaluation of the product to the decision about the  company form, we will discuss your idea and jointly seek a solution. With the YEP program young entrepreneurs can consult experienced coaches from outside of ETH Zurich.
• Infrastructure: During the first two years, ETH spin-offs may hire premises or equipment from ETH Zurich for shared use where capacities are available. In addition to ETH’s own premises, we can also arrange the hire of premises and laboratories in Zurich’s Technopark under attractive conditions.
• Contacts: We can set up contacts in the fields of financing, taxes, law, consulting services, etc.

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3. Licensing to ETH spin-offs

In general ETH Zurich is willing to license the use and development of its intellectual property. However, it is not possible for a Spin-off to obtain exclusive rights for all results of a research group, a laboratory or an institute.

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4. Contracts - Agreements between spin-offs and ETH Zurich

• Lease agreement / renting contract (for use of premises): this agreement covers the use of offices and laboratories at ETH Zurich or Technopark (Einstein-wing). The content of the agreement will be based on the individual needs of each spin-off.
• Infrastructure usage contract (for use of equipment): this agreement covers the use of equipment and infrastructure of ETH Zurich, as well as the respective compensation.
• License agreement (In case of IP, SW, confidential Know-how): this agreement covers the assignment or use of inventions, know-how or computer programs of ETH Zurich by the spin-off company, as well as the respective compensation.
• Spin-off recognition: this covers the right and rules on the usage of the ETH spin-off label.
  

Next to the above agreements other agreements will be worked out on a per need base.

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5. Conflict of interest - When should I do what for whom?

Even before founding a company, openness towards ETH Zurich, the employees of the professorship, the laboratory or institute is very important. The formation of a company from within an institute must be known at least within the institute itself. The interests of ETH Zurich and the company must be separated as clearly as possible, for instance in the procurement and storage of materials or the use of expensive equipment of ETH Zurich by the company or a double-employment. By assuring transparency, you help to avoid misunderstandings.

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6. Further information

Recommended reading for company founders

• Ingvi Oskarsson, Alexander Schlaepfer: The performance of Spin-off companies at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Sep. 2008
• Martin Heucher, Daniel Ilar, Thomas Kubr: Planen, Gründen, Wachsen, 3rd. edition 2002, Ueberreuter-Verlag Zürich (Valuable tips and explanations on setting up a business plan)
• Norbert Winistörfer: Ich mache mich selbständig (Beobachter Ratgeber), 9th edition 2004, Beobachter Buchverlag Zürich (Valuable tips about founding a company with checklists for the business plan and basic decisions as well as sample agreements)
• IFJ "Institut fuer Jungunternehmen: Start-up Praxis, Das Praxis Know-how für erfolgreiche KMU-Unternehmer"
• Further information on setting up a company may be found under www.gruenden.ch or www.startzentrum.ch.

Courses and other links

• Business Tools www.btools.ch: Modular courses on running your own business
• CTI Start-up www.ctistartup.ch: Supports the start of innovative and high-tech businesses
• IFJ "Institut fuer Jungunternehmen" www.ifj.ch: Tips and Tricks for your success
• Technopark www.technopark.ch: Advice, coaching, infrastructure and facilty services 
• Venture Incubator www.ventureincubator.ch: A Swiss Venture Capitalist
  
• VentureLab www.venturelab.ch: Courses on founding a high-tech company
• venture kick www.venturekick.ch: Win 130.000 CHF for your start-up company
  
• Venture 2010 www.venture.ch: Business plan competition, training program and contact forum for innovative company founders in Switzerland

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