A university spin-off enterprise is a new company that has its roots in a research laboratory with the aim of commercially promoting research results (technology).  In order to do this the spin-off company is in principle linked to the university by way of a license contract which sets out the conditions for transfer of the technology from the laboratory to the company.

An incubator is a support structure for start-up enterprises which enables one to move from the initial idea to the implementation and consolidation of a structured project. The accompanying programme focuses on entrepreneurship training, linking up with scientific partners, terms and sources of finance, targeting markets and developing an economic model.

A business mentor is an experienced entrepreneur who offers, usually free of charge, his knowledge of business to a young researcher/entrepreneur during the incubation phase of the enterprise project. The business mentor becomes a real confidant and a reference person for the young researcher/entrepreneur to rely on to confirm his/her hypotheses, widen his/her network and avoid any pitfalls during the complex process of setting up an innovative enterprise.