Imagine a world where R&D results leap off the computer screen and the lab bench and land in our daily lives, transforming how we live, work, and interact. This isn't just wishful thinking, it's the power of Technology Transfer in action.
Technology Transfer is a collaborative process for taking cutting-edge scientific discoveries and technological developments from R&D institutions to the market, where they can have a real impact. It is the "bridge" between the brilliant minds that produce knowledge and the dynamic companies that use and commercialize it through useful products and services. This "bridge" has the advantage of being collaborative and two-way: it also takes market and people's needs, which are often difficult to solve, to those who may have the solutions for them.
Why is Technology Transfer so important?
In short, it's about creating value, unlocking the latent potential of scientific inventions, and turning them into products, services, and solutions that benefit us all. From new medical diagnostic methods that save lives, to tools that make our jobs easier, to sustainable energy solutions that combat climate change. Emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digitalization are redefining the boundaries of what is possible, where technology transfer is fundamental for these solutions to become part of our daily lives.
Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) emerged in American universities in the 80s. In Portugal, these organizations spread and gained strength in the first decade of this century, driven by the creation of the GAPI network (Intellectual Property Support Offices). These offices and other structures created since then, with an increase in public support for this purpose, have contributed greatly to companies' greater willingness and interest in collaborating with universities. In addition, more and more companies now realize that their future competitiveness is largely based on innovation, worked on today.
Entities such as the National Innovation Agency have implemented or managed measures (mostly with European funding) to promote university-company cooperation and R&D results commercialization. Initiatives such as R&D projects, which bring together companies and entities from the national scientific and technological system - (HEIs, research institutes, etc.), Collaborative Laboratories (CoLABs) - or the more recent Mobilising Agendas, aim to strengthen university-company relations, while at the same time trying to develop technology, transformed into value-added products and services. And there are many success stories!
Challenges and Future Strategies
Even so, many of the barriers applied to Technology Transfer have yet to be overcome, and many of the measures that appear to be transformative end up translating into poor results. The continued increase in investment in this area, namely with strong public policies to promote cooperation and technology transfer, must therefore be based on scientific data, to ensure the best allocation of resources and maximize impact. It should also be noted that professionals in this area must work together in a small country like Portugal to gain critical mass and specificity. Finally, a long-term strategy, combined with predictable funding, is also essential for more and better results.
In the complex process of Technology Transfer and cooperation between universities and companies, with various mechanisms and channels, there are barriers that a coherent process helps to mitigate. However, at the "end of the day", human relationships determine the success of this relationship.
So the next time you marvel at the latest technological gadget, remember the journey to get into your hands. Technology Transfer is more than a process, it's a testament to human creativity and collaboration, leading us toward a brighter and more innovative future.
by Telmo Santos,
CCG/ZGDV Institute Technology Transfer Manager
