The Scientific Unit for Business Innovation (UCIE) of iTEAM-UPV has completed its start-up project, achieving full operational capacity for the iTEAM Innovation Office and consolidating a professional technology transfer model oriented toward industry. Thanks to this initiative, funded under grant INNVA2/2023/9, the institute has strengthened its capacity to bring research results to market and respond to society’s technological challenges, particularly in the Valencian Community.
From research to market: tangible results
During the execution of the project, a comprehensive mapping of iTEAM’s results was carried out, identifying technologies with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) above 4 and prioritizing those with the greatest exploitation potential. In terms of intellectual property protection, five new strategic patents have been managed, including developments in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), intelligent hearing protection, and efficient transmission solutions for 5G/6G networks.
The institute’s commitment to entrepreneurship materialized in the creation of the spin-off HYBPIC in 2025, alongside new business initiatives currently in the process of being established. At the same time, the UCIE has intensified its relationship with the business environment, contacting more than 50 companies and formalizing strategic agreements with key stakeholders that strengthen iTEAM’s position as a leading technological partner.
The project has also enabled the attraction of new competitive funding through public–private collaboration projects aligned with strategic sectors such as 5G/6G telecommunications, integrated photonics, automotive, Industry 4.0, multimedia, security, and energy.
Technology watch, identity, and international projection
One of the milestones of the project has been the implementation of a Technology Watch and Competitive Intelligence system based on the SoftVT tool, which facilitates the early identification of opportunities, trends, and competitors in key technological areas for iTEAM. This system, developed with the support of the ITI and AIMPLAS institutes, has been integrated into the UCIE’s operations and contributes to guiding the transfer strategy according to market developments.
At the same time, a renewal of iTEAM’s corporate identity and brand positioning has been carried out, led by external branding specialists. These actions have had a direct impact on the institute’s visibility: LinkedIn followers have grown by 41%, and more than 50 media appearances have been recorded, strengthening iTEAM’s regional, national, and international presence.
A distinctive technology transfer model
The distinctive value of the iTEAM UCIE lies in its direct integration within a leading telecommunications research institute, allowing it to operate from the early stages of R&D through to market proximity, working continuously and in a tailored way with research groups. This approach combines scientific excellence with a clear business orientation, supported by technical-commercial profiles and specialized consultancies that have contributed to defining a structured transfer strategy based on TRL classification and valorization roadmaps adapted to the real needs of industry.
The UCIE provides a comprehensive service covering intellectual property protection, licensing, spin-off creation, funding acquisition, technology watch, and strategic communication. This positions iTEAM as a high value-added technological partner compared with more partial or generic intermediary structures. Collaboration with entities such as Viromii, Ayming, ITI, AIMPLAS, as well as with business associations and agents of the Valencian innovation system, has been key to accessing companies, disseminating the institute’s technological capabilities, and generating new cooperation opportunities.
As an example of this impact, the organization of the iTEAM Open Day, together with other business meetings, and the execution of a business development roadmap have made it possible to validate real industry demand and reduce the gap between academic research and its commercial exploitation.
With these results, the iTEAM UCIE positions itself as a high value-added technological partner capable of promoting knowledge transfer and contributing to the development of innovative solutions with a real impact on the productive sector.