Transcript Dias nummer 1 - Industrial Technologies 2012

National and European research
and innovation programs
…an SME perspective
National and European research and
innovation programs – an SME
perspective
Claus Hélix-Nielsen, PhD, CSO, Aquaporin A/S
Assoc. Prof. Technical University of Denmark
Aquaporin –
the mission
Our mission is to become the world leading company
in developing, producing and commercializing
biomimetic membranes for water treatment
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Aquaporin –
the company
Founded 2005
Main shareholder: Goldschmidt Capital A/S
Expected ‘large scale’ market entry 2013 with 1G membranes
15 Employees - education of 5 PhD students – 3 on-going
Subsidiary company Aquaporin Asia established in Singapore 2011
Aquaporin A/S Denmark
07.07.2015
Aquaporin Asia Pte. Ltd. Singapore at NTU Clean Tech Park
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Aquaporin –
the protein
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07.07.2015
The Aquaporin Inside™
technology
Membrane operation
Reverse osmosis
Forward osmosis
RO
FO
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Aquaporin Inside™ in
FO action
http://www.aquaporin.dk/164/fo-experiment-video.aspx
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MEMBAQ
FP6 STREP
MEMBAQ
Incorporation of Aquaporins in Membranes for Industrial Applications
– MEMBAQ
Budget: 2,100,000 €
300.000 € to Aquaporin A/S
Project duration: 01/10/2006 - 31/03/2010
Nine partners from Denmark, France, Israel, Lithuania, Spain,
Sweden
Coordinator: DHI Denmark
Reflections
Our first major grant – allowed us to move from the conceptual idea to dedicated
R&D.
Many partners – good opportunity to network – but also challenging to maintain a
shared vision.
Project goals were very ambitious and had to be modified during the project period.
Substantial work needed from the coordinator – without DHI this would not have
been possible.
Some partners more willing to adapt to changes than others.
Scientific blind dating is fun - but requires hard work to get results.
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Ultrapure water – the
natural way
MEMBAQ
Ultrapure water – the natural way
Budget: Total: 2,550,000 € / 1.350.000 € from Danish National
Advanced Technology Foundation (Højteknologifonden, HTF)
400.000 € to Aquaporin A/S
Project duration: 01/10/2007 - 31/03/2010
Six Danish partners: four academic, two industrial
Coordinator: Technical University of Denmark
Reflections
Complemented the MEMBAQ project well and provided access to Danish partners.
Effective (low-bureaucratic) coordination from HTF.
Be clear about RCA field-definitions.
Be proactively prepared to change project scope as the project develops.
Don’t be afraid to ask the ‘tough questions’ – even if you are a small SME!
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Going international…
MEMBAQ
Aquaporin Based Biomimetic Membranes for Water Reuse and
Desalination
Funded by Economic Development Board Singapore
Budget: Total: 2,400,000 €
No money to Aquaporin A/S!
Project duration: 01/10/2009 - 14/2/2013
Three partners: DHI, Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
and Aquaporin A/S
Coordinator: Singapore Membrane technology Center (SMTC) at
NTU
Reflections
Fewer partners made it easier to focus the project.
University bureaucracy is a non-trivial issue.
The establishment of subsidiary Aquaporin Asia enabled us to control the IP, open
the Asian markets, and to gain access to further funding sources.
Having a Danish RTO ‘on site’ is a great advantage when setting up an organization
‘far from home’.
Do not underestimate cultural differences – be prepared to spend time building
relations!
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Join the water revolution !
www.aquaporin.dk