VFT at Mälardalen University

Purpose and goal

The purpose of verification means is to have an additional tool to support researchers and students to be able to validate their idea in an early phase. This by providing, after advice and assessment, the opportunity to grant funds to be able to verify an idea towards utilization and commercialization and possibly continued development and funding within the university´s holding company and/or the regional innovation support system. The overall goal is an increased utilization of research-based ideas and solutions within society.

Expected effects and result

At Mälardalens University and at Innovationskontoret Idélab we see an increased interest among researchers to utilize their knowledge assets since MDU became a university and got its own innovation office. VFT funds are an important tool that enables the identification and verification of ideas in an early phase. The expected result is to see an increased flow of attractive innovation projects, which, with the help of VFT funds, can verify the idea and take the idea further, via the various routes that utilization can take.

Planned approach and implementation

The innovation office will cooperate with MDU Holding in the management of VFT funds. We will work with an arrangement which means that we have an internal assessment and decision-making group for the granting of funding up to SEK 75,000. Funds beyond that, up to a possible maximum amount of SEK 300,000, will be assessed and decided by a group with representatives from our local innovation support system as well as representatives from our innovation office and holding company. The decision matter is preferred by the responsible business developer from the innovation office.