Proof of Concept Pool

You can apply for a PoC Max grant if the stage of development and timing in relation to e.g. patent application deadlines makes it possible to plan and execute a larger project with multiple milestones. A PoC Max project will often contain several work packages. For example, it could be about:

• strengthening patent claims
• Clarification of an essential question (an experiment that has the potential to “kill the project” such as testing a basic hypothesis)
• Demonstration of the effect or function of the discovery, e.g. in a model or system that is more realistic than before
• producing a prototype
• developing a business plan.

You can apply and receive PoC Max funds multiple times, but only up to the total limit of DKK 500,000 per invention.

Grant size

A PoC Max project can be granted up to DKK 500,000.

If the invention is co-owned with other institutions, all parties must generally co-finance the PoC project.

You cannot deduct overhead from the grant.

Duration and course of the project

• The PoC project may last up to 18 months.
• KU Lighthouse may impose requirements for positive partial results before the PoC project can continue (stop/go points).
• You and the responsible Innovation Partner keep in regular contact and hold the agreed status meetings, cf. the grant letter.

Criteria for the grant

• The rights to the invention must be wholly or partially owned by UCPH.
• The project must have commercial relevance, i.e. have the potential to
• increase the value of the invention/ strengthen the possibility of commercializing the invention
• reduce the risk associated with developing the invention, or
• answer one or more basic questions that could potentially kill the development of the invention.
• The PoC project must have the backing of an independent external expert who has assessed that the PoC project, given the maturity of the invention, will contribute to the commercial development of the invention.
• The application's project plan must be built around clear milestones, and for grants over DKK 300,000, the plan must include stop/go points based on these milestones.

How to apply

You must use the PoC Max application form. The application must be signed by you (applicant), the responsible Innovation Partner and your Head of Department. The application must be accompanied by a letter of support from an independent external expert appointed and contacted by the Innovation Partner/KU Lighthouse.

You must send the fully signed application to the co-signing Innovation Partner who will submit the project to the Head of Innovation for approval.

Approval or rejection

KU Lighthouse's response deadline for PoC Max is 10 working days after receipt of a correctly completed application.

For projects of more than 6 months, the University may withdraw funding for uncompleted activities; if there are problems meeting milestones; or if other conditions make it difficult to achieve the project goals. If the problems can be solved with a change to the approved project, the grantee can apply for a change (read more under “Application process”). This must be coordinated with the co-signing Innovation Partner.

If there is temporary employment in connection with the PoC project, UCPH will try to minimize the consequences of withdrawal of funds.

Reporting

For reporting, you must use the report template for PoC Max, which is attached to the grant letter.

PoC To-Go is for those ideas and discoveries where a relatively small work package can add significant value. Patents may be possible, but are not a requirement. For example, it could be about:

• development of a pre- or prototype
• Clarifying an essential question (an experiment that has the potential to “kill the project” such as testing a basic hypothesis)
• Identifying market/impact potential
• developing a business plan
• strengthening patent claims.

An idea or discovery can be granted PoC ToGo once. If a patent application has been filed, you can apply for additional funding under PoC Max, but only up to the total limit of DKK 500,000.

Grant size

A PoC To-Go project can be granted DKK 75,000-125,000.

For inventions that are co-owned with other institutions, UCPH can grant funds to PoC To-Go projects without co-financing from other parties.

Overhead is not covered by PoC ToGO grants (is excluded).

Duration and course of the project

• The PoC project can last up to 3 months.
• You and the responsible innovation partner are in regular contact.

Criteria for funding

• The project must have commercial or societal relevance. This means that the PoC project must have the potential to:
  
  
• increase the likelihood that the idea/invention can be transferred to a private company or organization outside the University
• increase the commercial or societal value of the idea/invention outside UCPH
• reduce the risk associated with developing the idea/invention, or
• answer one or more basic questions that could potentially kill the development of the idea/invention.
• If the idea or invention may eventually be patentable, it is important that the project does not undermine the patentability of the invention. It is therefore important that a potentially patentable invention is not novelty damaged during the project process.

How to apply

You must use the PoC ToGo application form and you (applicant), the responsible Innovation Partner and your Head of Department must sign.

You must send the fully signed application to the co-signing Innovation Partner who will submit the project to the Head of Innovation for approval.

Approval or rejection

The response deadline for PoC To-Go is 5 working days after receipt of a correctly completed application.

Reporting

The grantee must use the report form for PoC To-Go, which is attached to the grant letter.

A PoC project must be able to bring the idea or invention closer to a level where an external company or organization can take over and develop a product or service with commercial or societal value, or where the invention can form the basis for establishing a new company or organization; a spin-out.

A PoC project must focus on increasing the value of the idea or invention and/or reducing the risks associated with commercial development.

PoC funds can, for example, be used to:

• strengthen patent claims (e.g. more data)
• develop a prototype
• perform key trials
• Purchase external assistance to develop a business plan, for example
• uncovering market/impact potential
• Analyze the patent landscape
• Create an overview of legal requirements that may be relevant to the product development.

PoC funds cannot be used for

• general maintenance of the patent application (these expenses are covered by KU Lighthouse)
• purchase of equipment
• retention of employees
• participation in conferences
• development of inventions that are co-owned with a private company
• development of inventions where a commercial agreement has been signed
• overhead costs.

Please note! The University has a policy for purchases over DKK 50,000; it is the applicant's responsibility to comply with this policy. See the following link:

• Guidelines

You or your head of department can be contacted if there are any questions about the application.