Starting a Company

Economic Development

A university intellectual property license can be a powerful asset around which to start and build a new company. Anyone planning to form a new business entity to commercialize a technology to be licensed from KAUST should contact TTi for guidance. While KAUST does not form companies, it encourages the creation of new companies by others in order to: (1) ensure that all beneficial KAUST technologies reach the public, and (2) to facilitate the growth of the Saudi economy. If a new business start-up is chosen as the preferred commercialization path, TTi will assist in planning and executing the process.

Depending upon the circumstances, licensing to a start-up company may be a viable, even preferred, alternative to licensing to an established business. A start-up company makes an especially attractive licensee when:

  • The technology has a potential market in Saudi Arabia and MENA yet no established companies are interested in licensing.
  • The technology is disruptive.
  • The technology is a platform from which multiple products or services can be developed.
  • The technology offers a sufficiently large competitive advantage and target market.
  • Entrepreneurial management is available to take the company forward.

Securing Legal Assistance for a New Company

A new company needs corporate counsel licensed in the country where the company is to be formed and may also need its own intellectual property counsel, especially if the company will be operating in a patent-rich field. Company counsel must have no connection to KAUST. Members of the KAUST community who have roles in the start-up should seek personal legal advice to ensure that they are adequately informed about personal issues, such as taxation and liability.

The role of KAUST-employed Inventors in New Companies

Prior to starting a new company while employed at KAUST, entrepreneurs are advised to discuss the matter with the Office of General Counsel and TTi if they expect to take an active employment role with the company. KAUST policies in this area are still under development. Employee involvement of any kind in a start-up must be reviewed and approved by the KAUST Conflict of Interest Committee.

Assistance to Entrepreneurs

All KAUST Economic Development programs provide information and guidance to entrepreneurs on developing a new business, locating mentors and advisors, and identifying resources. Many programs are under development and may come online since the last update of this web site. Contact TTi, , and the other Economic Development programs for more information.

More about Patents and Licensing

Patent Search Engines:

  • USPTO Patent Search – This free site is the first choice search engine for information on patents issued in the U.S. after 1976 and a limited search capability for patent applications.
  • Patent Scope – The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) sponsors this free search engine that covers Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications housed at WIPO.
  • Esp@cenet - The European Patent Office and searches for the EU, EC, and the individual national offices thereof.
  • Google Patents – Flexible patent searching for any patent, however, certain patents may be difficult to find due to scanning errors.
  • Free Patents Online – Free service that covers the U.S., WIPO, Japan (abstracts), and EU patents.