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THE INVENTOR ADVISORY SERVICE

Welcome to The Inventor Advisory Service

At The Inventor Advisory Service (IAS) we be-lieve that great ideas are all around us just waiting to be discovered.

From our 40 years of experience, we have seen first-hand that ideas and concepts do not just come into existence in fancy labo-ratories - they can appear due to everyday inspiration, in your kitchen, garage or class-room. Looking at the world with this mindset, we see an enormous potential for innovation. A potential which can bring growth on both business and societal level.

Our specialty is to nurture these ideas and make it easier for their inventors to make them come alive. Our approach is based on ‘help to help yourself’. The goal is to coach and empower the inventor to become the

lead driver in the commercialization process.IAS is run by Centre for Ideas and Innovation at the Danish Technological Institute. Read more about us in the following pages.

We hope you will enjoy this little booklet about the quintessential Danish Inventor Advisory Service. If you have questions, comments or feel inspired to leverage the idea potential of citizens in your country, do not hesitate to get back to us. We would be happy to collaborate and share our insights.

Kasper Birkeholm MunkLeader of the Inventor Advisory Service

Centre for Ideas and InnovationDanish Technological Institute

Kasper Birkeholm Munk,Leader of the Inventor Advisory Service2 3

Danish Technological Institute6-7

CONTENTCentre for Ideas and Innovation

The Inventor Advisory Service

The Inventor School Service

FabLab TI

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10-15

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22-27

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Danish Technological Institute

Danish Technological Institute (DTI) is a self-owned, not-for-profit organization. From our independent standpoint in the market, we develop, apply and dissemina-te research and technological knowledge for the international business sector.

Drawing on our solid foundation of over 100 years of research in various areas, our thirty-eight business units contribute to the development of both the private and public sphere on multiple levels.

Our mission – your valueOur most important task is to ensure that new and innovative knowledge and tech-nology is quickly converted into value for our customers. This value can take many forms such as new and improved pro-

ducts, materials, processes, methods and organizational structures.

Combining our main areas of knowledge with multiple testing facilities both in Denmark and abroad our main areas of expertise are:

» Innovation and competitiveness » Management and training » Sustainable exploitation of resources

We also carry out consultancy and stan-dardization services, which contribute to a dynamic and harmonious development of society.

» FACTSDTI’s revenue in 2013 was EUR 145 million:

» Ten percent from performance contracts » Twenty-four percent from research and development activities » Twenty-seven percent from international customers » Thirty-nine percent from Danish customers

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Centre for Ideas and Innovation

As one of DTI’s thirty-eight business units, our area of expertise is innova-tive business development. We strive to create effective synergies between companies, public organizations, re-search institutions, end users and citizens.

Participating in large, publicly finan-ced projects, both nationally and in-ternationally, we perform commercial activities in the field of innovation, idea development, business develop-ment and new business models with companies and public institutions of all sizes.

Our mission – your growthAt Center for Ideas and Innovation,

it is our goal to make it easier for companies or public organizations to grow and develop their potential. Whether it is a new product line, or-ganizational structure or a more crea-tive mindset – we have the innova-tive toolbox needed to take on every aspect of the process.

Customized processOur approach is to customize our in-novation techniques to the indivi-dual organizational culture we meet in each task, adapting to the specific challenges and creative opportuni-ties. The key motivation is to ena-ble innovation, making it easier for people and organizations to develop and grow.

» FACTSCentre for Ideas and Innovation’s areas of expertise:

» Strategic product or service development » Screening of ideas and business concepts » Commercialization of ideas or IPR under license » Developing and implementing new business models » Open and employee-driven innovation processes » Identifying trends within new technological solutions

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The Inventor Advisory Service

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The Inventor Advisory Service

IAS is a unique innovation constella-tion, which at present only exists in Denmark. Since its start in 1972 the aim of IAS has been to offer free of charge support, advice and counsel-ling to Danish citizens with great ideas. Since then, we have been helping in-ventors to commercialize their ideas by licensing them to existing companies.

Your idea can come to lifeIAS is funded by The Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation. The Inventor Advisory Service reaches out to more than 5000 Danish citizens every year. As a result, approximately 1000 unique inventions are screened. On ave-rage, since 1972 we have helped 15-20 inventors negotiate license agreements

with existing companies each year and in the process screened more than 40,000 inventions. One can imagine the breadth and variety of ideas and inven-tions that we have seen during the life-time of the IAS.

Every step of the wayOur advisors support inventors from early conceptualization to commercia-lization in a distinctly practical way. Based on the concept of ‘help to help yourself’ we coach and empower the in-ventor to become the lead driver in his or her own commercialization process. Our advisors are experts in intellectual property rights and legal processes, which give an inventor the necessary help and guidance towards success.

» FACTSTotal turnover generated in 16 companies from license agreements is DKK 2.76 billion (EUR 370 million) and 333 Danish jobs in the period from 2000-2009 (IAS’s impact assessment).

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The Inventor Advisory Service - case I

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Window fastener keeps thieves out of Danish homes

After several break-ins in his home, fine mecha-nic Jan Pedersen was getting tired of his windows always giving in to thieves. He decided to put his personal motivation to good use. Sitting at his kit-chen table one night he started to develop a more durable window fastener.

Early in the process, Jan Pedersen involved the IAS and parallel with the development process of the fastener different companies were presented with the product. Unfortunately, none of the companies took interest. After a long process and search for an intere-sted company, he met Lindrucker Aps, a company which makes safe home solutions and whose CEO also has experienced multiple break-ins in his fa-mily home. Together they developed a virtually unbreakable window fastener.

A rewarding journeyThe window fastener is currently sold at selected DIY centers, locksmiths and web shops. Further-more, the biggest Danish insurance companies re-commend the fastener. In total, it took five years for Jan Pedersen’s invention to travel from his kitchen table to the shelves of a store.

How did we help? IAS helped the inventor make contact to relevant companies and likewise advised him during the preparation of the product presentation. Further-more, IAS facilitated the access to documentation and recommendations from technical experts at the DTI and other external partners. All together in order to impress the interested companies.IAS also introduced the inventor to a company from our extensive business network that proved to be a good math. IAS took part in the negotia-tions and drafted the license agreement between the two parties.

» FACTSThe Inventor Advisory Service is a public scheme that has been financed by the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation since 1972. Since then, the service has undergone a development and now includes The Inventor School Service and a FabLab.

The Inventor Advisory Service - case II

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New assistive lift technology reduces risk of back injury for healthcare staff

Back problems are the most common type of work-related injuries amongst healthcare workers in Denmark. Lifting elderly people when they have fallen is a common cause for these injuries. For many years, the only solu-tion has been heavy technical machinery such as lifts – at least until Anders Søndergaard, a mechanical engineer, came along.

A journey of developmentIt took the inventor a great deal of iterations before he identified the technical principle that could make him realize his idea to create a battery operated, light, easy to use and mo-bile lifting chair to help fallen people back on their feet in a quick and simple manner.

Anders Søndergaard first notified IAS about

his idea in 2012. The search for a suitable company to produce the chair began.

A dynamic partnership The search led to the company Liftup A/S. Wi-thin half a year, the company developed the Raizer Chair. A chair where the back is pushed underneath an injured person, where after an engine elevates the person up to a sitting or standing position. With this, no personnel have to do heavy lifting. Anders Søndergaard decided to sell his invention to Liftup A/S for a one-time fee.

How did we help? IAS has assisted the inventor with help and guidance throughout the process and contri-buted to the final agreement between the in-ventor and Liftup A/S.

The Inventor Advisory Service - case III

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Trine got tired of having a sticky handball ruining the content of her training bag

Handballs are sticky because of the resin used by handball players to get a good, firm grip of the ball and to make precise passes during training and matches. Trine Bruun Andersen, a pro handball player, got tired of getting the content of her training bag ruined by the resin.

A prototype made on grandmother’s se-wing machineOne day she took matters into her own hands and created a bag for her handball using her grandmother’s old sewing ma-chine.

Trine Bruun Andersen contacted a Danish manufacturer of sporting goods, Select. The company did not immediately buy in on the

idea. Nevertheless, Trine Bruun Andersen persistently collected valuable statements from retail stores and from potential custo-mers in order to prove to the company that there was an actual need in the market.

The company finally realized the potential and is now serving a market with well over 120,000 people playing handball – in Den-mark alone.

How did we help her?Trine Bruun Andersen systematically follo-wed the Inventor’s 10 Step Model develo-ped by IAS. During both initial contact to different companies and especially during final negotiations, IAS played a lead role in securing her a good deal and signing a state of the art license agreement.

The Inventor School Service

» FACTSEach year we train and educate more than 2000 stu-dents and teachers. Our approach is distinctly prac-tical and hands-on with focus on idea development and idea validation through prototyping, visualiza-tion and user involvement.

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The Inventor School Service

The Inventor School Service offers edu-cation and training for educational insti-tutions - both teachers and students at all levels. The School Service’s approach to working with entrepreneurship and in-novation is distinctly practical. Inspired by creativity theory and innovative didactics the training is designed to give teachers and students a transformative learning experience.

Innovation in practiceThe Inventor School Service employs prac-tical methods and tools aimed especially at the early stages of idea generation and idea validation. Students and teachers are trained to identify new areas of innova-tion and to translate these into relevant concept development through a practical,

hands-on approach often using the Fab-Lab TI workshop for model and prototype building.

Solving real life problemsTraining is typically based on real life chal-lenges sourced from local businesses or organizations that have a motivational impact and facilitate increased collabo-ration between educational institutions, local businesses, and society.

Outreach and a strong networkThe Inventor School Service has an im-mense outreach to educational instituti-ons all over Denmark. Likewise, we partici-pate as judges, mentors and jury members in all major innovation and entrepreneur-ship competitions in Denmark.

» FACTSThe focal point of The Inventor School Service is the practical art of working with idea development, proto-typing, visualization of ideas, and idea validation. The service is free of charge.

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Students co-create solutions for Denmark’s largest music festival

The Danish music festival, Roskilde Festi-val, attracts more than 100,000 guests every year. During this one-week-long festival the large crowd creates tons of garbage, including 4 million cigarette butts and over a million plastic cups. When the guests leave, they leave a trail of garbage as well: thousands of tents and tent poles are left behind causing hazard to the cattle normally roaming the fields of the festival venue.

Together with Osted Continuation School, The Inventor School Service decided to do something about it.

Divergent thinking churns out new solutionsThe Inventor School Service facilitated a day-long workshop involving the students in

state of the art creative idea development. The outcome was fantastic and many great solutions came to life. Some with a focus on reusing garbage as raw material in other pro-cesses, some focused on awareness creation and some with a more conceptual or product-specific focus.

Especially two solutions caught the attention of the festival organizers – a small, portable ashtray made of reusable materials and a concept for painting tent poles with orange luminescent paint, making them easy to find for the cleaning personnel.

A prototype come to lifeRoskilde Festival was very pleased with the many different suggestions and have imple-mented some of the ideas already. The por-table ashtray is now a product offered to the festival guests.

The Inventor School Service - case

» FACTSSolving real life problems in an educational setting makes idea development relevant. It is highly motivating for students to work with real life customers and recognizable issues. It generates a lot of positive energy and strong learning in the process.

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FabLab TI

» FACTSFabLab is short for Fabrication Laboratory. A FabLab is a technical prototyping platform for innovation and inventions, providing stimulus for local entrepreneur-ship. The first FabLab originates from MIT and there are now more than 350 FabLabs around the world.

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FabLab TI- Fabrication Laboratory

”A small industrial revolution to de-mocratize the development of new products and concepts”. Those were the words of the Mayor of Høje-Taastrup when he launched the opening of IAS’ FabLab TI. The goal of the FabLab TI is to offer a creative and high technology proto-type workspace to all citizens.

Professional tools and coaching 3D-printers, laser cutters and CNC machines are all available at the FabLab TI. Activities range from peer-to-peer project-based techni-cal training to local problem-solving and small-scale prototype develop-ment and innovative business trai-ning. At all times the FabLab emplo-

yees are ready with innovative coaching and practical experience. FabLab TI is open to the public two days a week.

A strong historyThe lab is a part of the movement first started by Massachusetts In-stitute of Technology (MIT).

Besides offering high tech equip-ment for all citizens, the only de-mand for a FabLab is that it must continue to evolve and share the innovative knowledge that is ge-nerated. FabLabs have spread to 40 countries from Boston in USA to ru-ral India, from South Africa to the north of Norway.

» FACTSFabLabs have to share a common set of tools and processes. A prototyping facility is not the equiva-lent of a FabLab. A 3D-printer is not a FabLab. The idea is that all the labs can share knowledge, de-signs, and collaborate across international borders.

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Sustainable household waste management

The environmental effects of house-hold waste is one of the biggest challenges facing municipalities and regions in most western countries. A busy household can generate a great deal of waste, and the amount of household waste can increase radi-cally in developed countries, which rely heavily on packaging for a wide variety of products. Especially for people living in apartments, the space required to implement sorting solutions makes it difficult to get people to actually use the solutions at hand.

Together with FabLab TI, two stu-dents have now put their suggestion

on the market: The sustainable wa-ste pockets.

Open-source designThe sustainable waste pockets are a multifunction garbage sorting sy-stem with can be adjusted to fit the precise setting. The idea came from two students: Anne Berg Villumsen and Tobias Tøstesen. The first pro-totype came to life at the FabLab TI. Inspired by the vision behind the Fab-Lab the two students used co-creati-on and social media to get feedback on their design.

Finally, AIS helped the two students get a license deal with the company Valbeing.

FabLab TI - case

» FACTSA FabLab is a platform for learning and innovation: a place to play, to create, to learn, to mentor, and to invent. To be a FabLab means connecting to a global community of learners, educators, technologists, researchers, makers and innovators - a knowledge sharing network that spans across 40 coun-tries and 24 time zones. Because all FabLabs share common tools and processes, the movement is building a global net-work, a distributed laboratory for research and invention.

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CONTACT The Inventor Advisory Service:Kasper Birkeholm MunkLeader of The Inventor Advisory ServiceCell: +45 72 20 28 05Email: kbmk@dti.dk

The Inventor School Service:Anette Høgh SonnichsenConsultant at The Inventor School ServiceCell: +45 72 20 28 52Email: ahso@dti.dk

FabLab TI:Rune RexConsultant at FabLab TICell: +45 72 20 11 53Email: rrx@dti.dk