Within the framework of the project entitled “TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ENHANCEMENT NETWORK” (MIS 5155000) with code 68161000, implemented within the framework of the Operational Programme “Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation 2014-2020” and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the National Technical University of Athens is organizing a “Proof of Concept” Program.

Who is it aimed at

The “Proof of Concept” Program is aimed at student/research groups or individual students/researchers of NTUA who wish to commercially exploit their idea, to verify its viability in practice, or to prepare for patenting. A prerequisite for participation is that the individual who submits an application or, in the case of a team, at least one of the team members, belongs to one of the following categories:

• Undergraduate students of NTUA
• Postgraduate students of NTUA
• PhD candidates of NTUA
• Members of the Faculty, Research and Development Committee, NTUA
• Postdoctoral researchers of NTUA employed in research projects of NTUA during the period of application

Thematic areas

The business idea can correspond to any field of activity of the engineer.

Objective

The objective of the program is to support through financing, guidance and networking, for the implementation of activities and the achievement of results such as:

• confirming the effectiveness of the idea and transforming it into a final product through experimental testing, prototyping, etc.
• conducting research required to implement the above activities and address the weaknesses arising from them.
• ensuring sustainability, resolving technical issues and defining a general direction.
• defining a strategy for protecting property rights or transferring know-how.
• involving industrial partners, social or cultural organizations, policy makers, or any other potential stakeholders that support innovative entrepreneurship.
• assessing potential “end users” of the developing innovation.

Phases

A. Submission of an Expression of Interest Application

During the first phase of the Program, interested parties are invited to submit an expression of interest application describing their idea and providing basic information for its evaluation. The application is submitted electronically to the Technology Transfer Office, at the email address tto@mail.ntua.gr.

Deadline: March 20, 2023

B. Presentation of “Proof of Concept” proposals

The proposals for the “Proof of Concept” Program, which will qualify for the second phase, will be presented to the Program Evaluation Committee, in order to select the idea that will proceed to the final stage of the Program.

Presentation date: The presentation date will be announced to interested parties via e-mail received from the email address tto@mail.ntua.gr.

C. Implementation of “Proof of Concept”

The proposal selected by the Evaluation Committee will receive, in addition to other forms of support, financial support of up to 10,000 euros, which will cover the costs of equipment, software and consumables for the implementation of the idea in a real environment.

Maximum duration of implementation of the Proof of Concept: 3 months

More details about the Program can be found in the Call for Expression of Interest