Entrepreneurship for scientists
There are various agencies at Science Park Amsterdam that provide support to new entrepreneurs who are seeking to market their research ideas. Among these is ACE @ Science Park and Bureau Kennistransfer (Knowledge Transfer Office) of the University of Amsterdam. This company provides support to, among others, those institutes at Science Park Amsterdam that are engaged in setting up spin-off companies. This takes the form of workshops on applying for patents, for example, and protecting intellectual property.
There is a grant scheme for scientists wishing to start their own business: Subsidie Kennis Exploitatie (Knowledge Exploitation Grant). This is a means of obtaining finance from Technopartner and the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Spin-off companies at Science Park Amsterdam
Numerous spin-off companies have already sprouted at Science Park Amsterdam. A spin-off company is one that is created as a result of a specific scientific invention. Spin-off companies allow fundamental knowledge that has been developed by institutes to feed into wider society, and thereby lead to the creation of high-level jobs. The economy, too, gains directly from the application of such knowledge in everyday practice. Various spin-off companies have already emerged thanks to innovative inventions at Science Park Amsterdam, like:
Safiro Software Solutions B.V.
BDS.