Uneven Progress: Understanding the Geography of University Tech Transfer in Europe

Technology transfer (TT), the process of translating academic research into commercial innovation is becoming an increasingly important pillar in Europe's knowledge economy. Universities and public research institutes (PRIs) have the potential to generate breakthrough technologies, create start-ups, and drive regional development.
However, despite growing EU-level support and coordination, TT remains highly uneven across member states.

A continent of contrasts

Recent EU data suggest that universities account for just around 8% of total European patent applications. But this average conceals deep disparities:

• Sweden: ~12–14%
  Due to the "professor’s privilege" model, individual researchers own their IP rights.

• United Kingdom: ~10–15%
  Strong ecosystems in Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial; mature tech transfer offices (TTOs).

• Germany: ~6–8%
  Institution-owned IP; active patenting via Fraunhofer and Max Planck institutes.

• France: ~9–10%
  Centralized IP management through CNRS and other state-led research entities.

• Netherlands: ~5–7%
  Leading institutions like TU Delft and Wageningen dominate the landscape.

• Belgium: ~6–8%
  High-performing TT models at KU Leuven and UGent.

• Spain & Italy: ~3–5%
  Lower IP output; TTOs still maturing.

• Eastern Europe: ~1–3%
  Structural challenges, limited institutional capacity, and fragmented policies.

The European Average: a closer look

According to recent reports, more than 70% of European universities do not generate any patented intellectual property. Those that do are often clustered around a few strong innovation hubs.

In 2021–2022, European research institutions created over 393 active deep tech spin-offs, which:

• Supported 16,826 full-time jobs

• Generated €2.75 billion in revenue

• Delivered €1.2 billion in added economic value

• Returned nearly €500 million in tax revenue to national governments

Yet only 22% of these spin-offs secured follow-on funding, and even fewer reached commercial scale. In other words, while the pipeline exists, its throughput remains limited.

Barriers to transfer

Several recurring challenges slow down or limit effective technology transfer across Europe:

• Equity disincentives: Many universities claim equity stakes of 15–25% in spin-outs, which discourages both founders and external investors.

• Under-resourced TTOs: Many institutions lack the professional staff and legal/financial expertise to support high-quality IP development and commercialization.

• Gender imbalance: Only about 15% of spin-offs have a female founder, suggesting a need for more inclusive entrepreneurial pathways.

• Administrative hurdles: Prolonged negotiation timelines and internal bureaucracy reduce agility and slow time-to-market.

The road ahead: Building a Cohesive European TT System

Despite these disparities, Europe is actively working to build a more integrated and supportive technology transfer ecosystem. Initiatives from the European Innovation Council (EIC), Horizon Europe, and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) all aim to address structural barriers.

Key policy priorities include:

• Improving Proof-of-Concept funding to help early-stage innovations reach investment readiness

• Encouraging more founder-friendly equity and IP ownership models, modeled after leading institutions

• Professionalizing TTOs and expanding cross-border collaboration via networks like ASTP and the TTO Circle

• Fostering inclusivity, especially with regard to gender and underrepresented groups in research commercialisation

Europe may not have a one-size-fits-all model for tech transfer, but coordinated action and policy alignment can bring its fragmented landscape closer to parity. By learning from its top-performing ecosystems and addressing regional gaps, Europe can ensure that scientific excellence truly translates into societal impact.

Sources include EPO, EIF, EU-Startups, EARTO, FT, The Times, and European Commission reports from 2023–2024.