POVES

Successful technology transfer from a publicly funded research and development project.

The main objective of the EU TIDE project POVES was the development and exploitation of the Night Vision prototype NIVIS 1 for night blind persons (of all ages) suffering from retinal degenerative diseases. In addition potential applications for other eye dis-ables were studied. The POVES project was carried out by six partners from three countries: Germany, Belgium, Austria. The various phases of redesign - implemented by two industrial companies - aimed at reducing weight and size and improving function of the product for the target group of about 3 million nightblind persons worldwide (200.000 in Europe). The technology transfer phase after completion of the POVES project proved most difficult: capital was missing, the originally involved industrial partners slowly withdrew, supply of product components was delayed and first series products partially failed. The following (chance) success factors however, were crucial:

• two personally committed "pusher personalities" from the POVES consortium
• entry of an experienced business manager procuring capital, business plan, involvement of private foundation
• Foundation of a start-up company with seven employees, including the two "pushers" (one as consultant)
• Successful redesign and close involvement of user organisations via the "pushers"
• Involvement of a global promotion and sales agency in the USA
• Although the technology transfer of the POVES project was successful two major lessons of improvement can be learned:
• Implementation of co-operation agreements between project consortium partners should be closely monitored by funding institutions, and the subsequent technology transfer process should be supported, e.g. through provision of targeted information and funding support during the "bridging phase".
• The industrial partners should learn to co-operate with user organisations and look more intensely into newly emerging assistive markets before making strategic decisions.