SCOPE

The MICS SPIN FUND aims at fostering the creation of economic value out of MICS-related technologies, through the creation of start-ups or the generation of intellectual property (IP) business. All technologies, IP and know-how close to MICS technical focus will be considered, provided they have been generated by a MICS laboratory or by any other activity, including external, having a strong link with a MICS laboratory.

THE FUND

The MICS SPIN FUND provides the complete salary for one or two persons teaming, for up to 12 months and 20kCHF for material.

CANDIDATES

The MICS SPIN FUND is specifically dedicated to PhD students, Master students, senior researchers or professors from MICS labs, or from any other institution collaborating with a MICS lab. Proposals from external private persons may also be considered, provided they have strong links with a MICS lab.

CONDITIONS

• The candidate or team must be hosted free of charge by a MICS lab.
• The objective must be the creation of a start-up or IP business within 12 months.
• The candidate or team must show high motivation and excellence.
• The project shall target a consistent business perspective.
• The fund cannot be used to support research, but has to be used both for development and business-oriented activities, like on one hand the development of demonstrators, prototypes, specific tools or production processes, and on the other hand, business training, coaching, business development planning, marketing, communication, fund-raising, administrative or legal actions, or IP management.
• The IP issues will be handled according to the IP policies applying to staff members of host institution.
• No funding will be provided for rooms, basic equipment or services, nor for direct IP fees.

APPLICATION

Candidates can submit a proposal at any time, by filling in the application form which can be downloaded below, and sending it with a CV to Roland Pesty.

If the submission is accepted from a least two members of the TT Committee, the candidate will be asked to present his concept to the the TTC, who will take the final decision. The decision delay may depend on the availability of the members of the TTC, but shall not exceed 2 months.

LEGAL ISSUES

No direct financial return will be asked, but the candidates are submitted to the following constraints:

1. The candidates must be hired as staff within the hosting institution.
2. Therefore all IP issues will be handled according to the IP policies of the host institution.
3. For external private candidates or existing private IP, the IP rights will be negotiated case by case.
4. The name and logo of MICS shall be mentioned while communicating about the project.
5. All technical details and proprietary information, as well as personal information related to the applicants are strictly confidential. Nevertheless, MICS has and will have the right to communicate about the existence of the project and eventually the start-up and his activities, and publish the related name and logo, without any time limitation.
6. The material bought with the fund is the property of the hosting lab, but may be sold for a symbolic sum to the startup if one is created during the grant, upon decision of the TTC.

For any further information or discussion, please contact:

Roland Pesty	Download application form
Industrial Liaison Officer
EPFL IC PRN MICS
Bâtiment BC
Station 14
CH-1015 Lausanne

phone	+41 21 693 69 77
fax	+41 21 693 81 40
e-mail	roland.pesty@epfl.ch