New express-deal to pave way for more quantum-start-ups from University of Copenhagen
Quantum research is maturing to the point where inventions are now leaving university labs to enter the world of business. To ease the way for its entrepreneurial quantum researchers, University of Copenhagen has now introduced a standard-contract. Terms and conditions are designed to ensure faster transformation from discovery to commercialisation. The spin-out QFactory was the first company to launch with it. By Jes Andersen.
Use-cases within industry as well as academia
QFactory’s first product is a mechanical quantum-scale sensor 100,000 times more sensitive than any competing technology. Eventually the company hopes to provide pressure gauges for the microprocessor industry, atomic scale 3Dscanners for the life science industry, and memory devices for quantum computers. Right now, the university spin-out finds its main customers at other universities, who use it for their own ground-breaking research. Both pleases inventor and QFactory co-founder Albert Schliesser.
As Physicists we are here to find out stuff. Often deeply fundamental stuff, but I personally like the idea that our ideas turn out to also be useful in the real world. In experimental physics, we build tools, so why not deploy those to serve society?” Albert Schliesser, QFactory co-founder, technical advisor and professor at University of Copenhagen.
An obligation to remove obstacles to commercialisation of research
Danish universities own all inventions made by staff. The upside to this is, that the inventors get support for protecting and commercialising their ideas. For a first-time founder the process of negotiating a license to use their own invention in their spinout could be be difficult. With a global leadership position in quantum science, University of Copenhagen felt a need to make this process easier.
Denmark is well placed to become a leading nation in this up-and-coming quantum industry. We felt an obligation to remove as many obstacles as possible for those of our researchers who are courageous enough to build a business based on their university research. This is the thinking behind the new quantum express license “: David Dreyer Lassen, Prorector for research and innovation, University of Copenhagen.
First user found express license fair and fast
The express licenses are standard contracts. They are not up for negotiation and are crafted in order to secure a faster and cheaper agreement. Among the main points, companies pay nothing to the university for the first five years of the agreement and the university supports the patent application process. These points appealed to QFactory when they became the first company to agree to an express license.
We experienced the licensing negotiations as fast, simple and fair”: Eric Langman, CEO and cofounder, QFactory and assistant professor at University of Copenhagen.
Holding on to global quantum leadership
Denmark is a world leader in quantum science. Per capita the country produces more quantum relevant graduates than any other and in absolute terms it comes in seventh in the world in publishing scientific quantum related papers. University of Copenhagen is pivotal in securing Danish scientific leadership. In recent years it has also invested significantly in the innovation-ecosystem and appointed a specialist to coordinate with other stakeholders.
Everybody is talking about the quantum computer, but what we see going from lab to market right now is technology for communication and ultra sensitive sensing. Sensing alone is projected to be a multi-billion-dollar market by 2030 so competition is fierce. I am very happy to see my university remove another obstacle for our scientists who want to commercialise their quantum research”: Jan Westenkær Thomsen, Quantum Coordinator, University of Copenhagen.
Cashflow from fellow researchers
Presently the global academic customers provide cashflow to QFactory. They also pressure the company to constant development, when they order customised sensors for experiments. Finally, they are QFactory’s best advertisement, because “It never hurts to have your instrument mentioned in a Nature or Science-paper”. QFactory’s co-founder and inventor Albert Schliesser is German by birth and his co-founder and CEO Eric Langman is American. Still the founding team expect their company to stay and grow in Denmark.
Infused with the spirit of Niels Bohr, Denmark’s quantum ecosystem is an energetic and supporting environment for launching spinouts. We believe there was no better place to launch our company, and UCPH’s startup-friendly express license exemplifies that. Being here provides a healthy boost toward developing QFactory’s portfolio, whether it is the coming pressure sensor, a quantum memory for quantum computers, or atomic scale 3D imaging techniques. All can come fluidly just from starting up in Denmark”: Eric Langman, Co-founder and CEO, QFactory.
A thriving quantum community within an 800 meter radius
University of Copenhagen has been a global centre for quantum research since 1921 when physicist Niels Bohr leveraged a Nobel Prize into funding for an institute bearing his name. More recently, several other initiatives have co-located in Innovation District Copenhagen in order to build on the districts’ thriving quantum community.
