ITRI Spin-off & Open Lab Startup Incubation

ITRI Spin-off & Incubation — Engagement

Provides IP licensing, researcher transfer, incubator access, and selective co-investment for ITRI-derived technology commercialisation.

The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) has been Taiwan's primary engine of technology commercialisation since its founding in 1973. Its most celebrated spin-offs include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), spun out in 1987, and United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), spun out in 1981, both of which trace their origins directly to ITRI's IC development programme. The institute's spin-off and incubation track operates continuously, providing a structured pathway for ITRI researchers and for external founders seeking to commercialise ITRI-developed intellectual property. The programme combines IP licensing or purchase, the ability to recruit transferred ITRI researchers, access to ITRI incubator space, and selective co-investment through ITRI's entrepreneurial arm ITIC-Taiwan and the associated early-stage fund AVITIC.

Engagement is initiated by approaching the relevant ITRI laboratory directly; there is no open call, competitive round, or published application deadline. IP licensing fees, equity stake, co-investment terms, and any transferred-researcher arrangements are all negotiated per deal rather than offered against a public template. ITRI's services extend to contract research, pilot production, process improvement, calibration, and technology transfer that can support a spin-out venture through its early development phase. ITRI also provides incubation facilities and connects spin-outs with its global network of industry partners.

Eligible participants include ITRI researchers who wish to commercialise their own research, and external founders or companies seeking to license ITRI technology and build a venture around it. The programme is open to individuals, Taiwanese-registered companies, universities, and research organisations. Foreign founders can engage through ITRI's overseas offices located in the US, Japan, Germany, the UK, and Thailand. Because terms are negotiated case-by-case and no public scoring criteria are published, prospective founders should approach ITRI at an early stage and prepare a clear articulation of the commercial application they intend to develop from the target IP.