Master’s in Incubation/Spin-off Engineering from Universities and Technology Centres
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in incubation and spin-off engineering from universities and technology centres. 12 modules covering academic spin-offs and their legal framework, technology identification, protection and licensing, proof of concept, founding teams, business planning, funding, incubation, institutional relations and transfer policy, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the legal framework for academic spin-offs.
Assess the commercial potential of university technologies.
Design protection and licensing strategies for research results.
Plan the validation and proof of concept of technologies.
Prepare business plans and financial models for spin-offs.
Manage the funding and incubation of technology-based companies.
Structure the relationship between the spin-off and its parent institution.
Who it's for
- Technology transfer officers at universities and technology centres.
- Incubator managers.
- Entrepreneurial researchers turning results into companies.
- Seed capital analysts.
- Valorisation consultants.
- Technology transfer office directors.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into the university sector.
What you'll work with
- Law 14/2011 (Science, Technology and Innovation Act)
- Organic Law 2/2023 (University System Act)
- Law 28/2022 (promotion of start-ups)
- Law 24/2015 (Spanish Patents Act)
- Law 53/1984 (incompatibilities of public sector staff)
- Law 17/2022 (amendment of the Science Act)
- Framework for State aid for research, development and innovation (2022/C 414/01) (EU R&D&I State aid rules)
- Lens.org
- Microsoft Excel
- Strategyzer
- Carta
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1The concept of an academic spin-off1.2Types of technology-based companies1.3The spin-off ecosystem in Spain1.4Creation and survival data1.5Success factors1.6Reference cases1.7The role of the university and the centre1.8Challenges facing spin-offs1.9International comparison of models1.10Case study: the trajectory of a university spin-off
2.1Article 18 of the Science Act2.2The Organic Law on the University System2.3The regime under Law 28/20222.4Compatibility rules for research staff2.5University equity participation2.6Universities' internal regulations2.7State aid and use of public resources2.8Leaves of absence and authorisations2.9Taxation of the entrepreneurial researcher2.10Practical exercise: authorising a researcher's participation
3.1Detecting transferable results3.2Invention disclosure3.3Assessing commercial potential3.4Technology readiness level (TRL)3.5Preliminary market study3.6Patentability analysis3.7The valorisation committee3.8Choosing the transfer route3.9The technology portfolio3.10Workshop: evaluating a university technology
4.1Patent strategy for spin-offs4.2Ownership of results4.3Licences to the spin-off4.4Royalties versus equity4.5Licence options4.6Co-ownership agreements4.7Valuing the licence4.8Software and know-how4.9Improvements and further developments4.10Practical exercise: licence terms for a spin-off
5.1Proof-of-concept programmes5.2The ERC Proof of Concept5.3Technical validation of prototypes5.4Customer discovery5.5Minimum viable product5.6Funding validation5.7Reducing technology risk5.8Trials with industrial users5.9Criteria for moving forward5.10Case study: validation plan for a biomaterial
6.1Profile of the entrepreneurial researcher6.2Composition of the founding team6.3Bringing in an external CEO6.4Conflicts of interest6.5Founders' time commitment6.6Mentoring and advisers6.7Entrepreneurship training6.8Equity split among founders6.9Relationship with the research group6.10Workshop: team plan for a spin-off
7.1The spin-off's business model7.2The business plan7.3Five-year financial projections7.4Funding requirements7.5Early-stage valuation7.6The shareholders' agreement7.7Milestones and development plan7.8Business plan risks7.9Pitching to investors7.10Practical exercise: financial model of a spin-off
8.1CDTI Neotec grants8.2EIC Pathfinder and Transition8.3Business angels and networks8.4Seed venture capital8.5University funds8.6ENISA participative loans8.7Equity crowdfunding8.8Regional entrepreneurship grants8.9Combining sources8.10Case study: seed round of a spin-off
9.1University and technology centre incubators9.2Acceleration programmes9.3Support services9.4Shared spaces and laboratories9.5Incubation metrics9.6Incubator networks9.7Connecting with industry9.8International acceleration programmes9.9Company graduation9.10Lab: incubation programme for a university
10.1Facility use agreements10.2R&D contracts with the university10.3Separation from the institution10.4Monitoring equity stakes10.5University divestment10.6Disputes with the institution10.7Corporate governance of the spin-off10.8Talent retention10.9Internationalisation of the spin-off10.10Practical exercise: services agreement with the university
11.1Knowledge transfer policies11.2Technology transfer rankings11.3International valorisation experiences11.4Knowledge transfer offices11.5Professionalisation of transfer officers11.6Valorisation indicators11.7National transfer networks11.8Academic entrepreneurial culture11.9Public policy challenges11.10Case study: valorisation strategy of a technology centre
12.1Selecting the starting technology12.2Maturity and market assessment12.3Protection strategy12.4Business model12.5Five-year financial plan12.6Funding strategy12.7Relationship with the institution12.8Spin-off roadmap12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
Delivered 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine the programme with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original legislation and applied exercises. You work with Lens.org, Microsoft Excel, Strategyzer and Carta in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: assessing the commercial potential of a technology, writing a spin-off business plan and negotiating a licence in exchange for equity. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: Law 14/2011, Organic Law 2/2023, Law 28/2022, Law 24/2015, Law 53/1984, Law 17/2022, Framework for State aid for research, development and innovation (2022/C 414/01).
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent proven professional experience.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Lens.org, Microsoft Excel, Strategyzer and Carta, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a suitable computer and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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