The Center of Technology Transfer & Development of the University of Crete retains as main objective the diffusion and exploitation of the producing analytical and synthetic knowledge through the attainment of collaborations and partnerships with regional and extra-regional research and productive actors. Catalyst in this process constitutes the long term building of steady relationships both with research departments of the University but also with business firms, development agencies, local government bodies and innovation actors in the broader region but also in European and international level.

The central role of the Center of Technology Transfer & Development includes the provision of research and technology management services to the research community, the formulation and implementation of integrated actions towards an effective and mutually beneficial collaboration amongst regional actors, the attainment of extra-regional collaborations on certain technological and innovation areas of expertise and last but not least, the knowledge exchange, diffusion and exploitation through the strengthening of the regional innovation system’s functions.

The primary objectives of the Center include:

• the intensive and continuous watch and mapping of academic and research excellence and the mobilization of research mechanisms (laboratories, research groups) through the support, the incubation and the dissemination of good practices,
• the exploitation of research and technological outputs and services which are resulting by the research activity of the University and the increment of added value through the knowledge diffusion in the social environment,
• the enrichment of systemic and ‘triple helix’ links amongst University, research institutions and regional business and governance actors and the enhancement of the ‘regional system of innovation’ via knowledge exchange activities, mapping and identification of local productive and social needs,   systemic and technological interventions,
• the support and the incubation of innovative ideas and actions oriented to concepts of entrepreneurship and the consulting on sustaining spin-off companies
• the organisation of seminars related to entrepreneurship, innovation and technology development
• the provision of specialised technology transfer services to research laboratories of the University and researchers and the support of multidisciplinary research and collaboration
• the persistent dissemination of information and specialised consulting for current opportunities in national and international level
• the active involvement in the implementation of research and development projects in regional, national and international level.