Sahara Ventures Technology Transfer and Commercialization (TTC) Institutional Assessment Canvas.

Written by Jumanne Rajabu Mtambalike

Sahara Ventures Technology Transfer and Commercialization Institutional Assessment Canvas is a Tool Designed to Help Academic and Research Institutions with Innovation and Research Commercialization.

Technology Transfer and Commercialisation (TTC) is still challenging in most African research and academic institutions. Africa must still catch up with other regions in innovation and research commercialization.

According to the Global Innovation Index 2021, Africa still needs to catch up to other regions, with only a few countries ranking in the top 100. South Africa, the highest-rated African country, ranks 59th globally, followed by Tunisia (65th), Morocco (72nd), and Egypt (74th). These countries have a relatively well-developed innovation ecosystem, including universities, research institutions, and technology hubs.

Sahara Ventures has been working with the Africa Centre for Research, Agricultural Advancement, Teaching Excellence and Sustainability (CREATES) hosted at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NMAIST) to study the opportunities and challenges facing Tanzanian academic and research institutions in Technology Transfer and Commercialization (TTC). In partnership with CREATES, Sahara Ventures designed the TTC Institutional Assessment Canvas to help African research and academic institutions think strategically when designing and planning TTC activities on campus and within their institutions.

The tool has gathered insights and analysis from 18 academic and research institutions in Tanzania while helping them plan their TTC activities. The tool has the following pillars;

• TTC Status | What is your organization’s current status of Technology Transfer and Commercialization? (Overview) which looks into; TTC Office, TTC Policy, TTC Partners, TTC Cases, TTC Activities, IP Policy, Patents Filed, and Others.
• TTC Activities | What are the current Technology Transfer and Commercialisation activities carried out at your organization? Any routine activities conducted by the organization to promote Technology Transfer and Commercialization? which look into; Capacity Building, Events and Conferences, Exchange Programs, Industry Engagements, and Other Activities.
• TTC Management | Are there any policies, regulations, and administrative structures to manage Technology Transfer and Commercialization at your organization? This looks into; Ownership Structures, Partnership Agreements, Patenting Arrangements, Databases, etc.
• TTC Services | What services and support to researchers (innovators) on Technology Transfer and Commercialization are offered at your organization? This looks into; IP Protection, Patenting Services, Licensing Activities, Incubator Activities, Other Startup Support, Financing and Seed Funding, Negotiation and Partnerships, and Other Services.
• TTC Cases | What are your organization’s practical cases (evidence) of Technology Transfer and Commercialization? Any practical examples of transferred technology or commercialized research?
• TTC Measurement and Documented | How do you measure and document your organization’s Technology Transfer and Commercialisation activities? This includes; KPIs, OKRs, TTC Database, and Others.
• TTC Partners | Who are the strategic partners working with your organization on Technology Transfer and Commercialization? Any practical examples of adopted technologies? This includes; Firms, Public Institutions, CSOs and Clusters, Development Organisations, Communities, and Others.
• TTC Opportunities | What are your organization’s Technology Transfer and Commercialisation opportunities?
• TTC Challenges | What are your organization’s different challenges (hurdles) in accelerating Technology Transfer and Commercialization?

These nine pillars above help organizations reflect on their TTC priorities and strategies accordingly. It is important to note what is mentioned above doesn’t serve as the only thing to consider when developing your TTC strategy. Still, it can help build a strong foundation for those exploring establishing Technology Transfer Offices (TTO) and other TTC initiatives in academic and research institutions.

The Technology Transfer and Commercialization (TTC) Institution Assessment Canvas Can Be Accessed Here.

For PDF Version, please email us at contacts@saharaventures.com