This document discusses the role of research universities in regional economies using examples like KU Leuven, Stanford University, MIT, and Cambridge University. It notes that these "third generation universities" actively collaborate with industry through activities like spinning off companies, conducting applied research, and managing technology transfer. KU Leuven's technology transfer office called LRD works to promote knowledge and technology transfer between the university and industry by assessing inventions, obtaining patents, finding industrial partners, and more. The presentation argues that research universities can significantly contribute to regional economic growth and the development of knowledge economy clusters and industries through these types of technology commercialization activities and partnerships.