Venture Center, a prominent technology business incubator based in Pune, has joined forces with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to empower technology transfer offices across Indian institutions.
This collaborative effort aims to bridge the gap between groundbreaking research and its commercial application, ultimately boosting innovation and economic growth in India.
The partnership stems from UNIDO and BEE's ongoing "Facility for Low Carbon Technology Deployment (FLCTD)" project, which has successfully supported over 30 climate-tech startups in bringing their innovative solutions to market.
By "de-risking" innovations, the FLCTD project has demonstrated a unique approach to technology commercialization, the learnings from which will now be shared with technology transfer centers nationwide.
Venture Center's role in this initiative is pivotal. The organization will develop and implement a comprehensive handbook and a series of training programs focused on the technology transfer function.
These resources will cater to a diverse audience, including practitioners, startups, faculty, R&D personnel, and government officials. The goal is to equip these stakeholders with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively navigate the complexities of technology transfer.
Adding further weight to this initiative, Venture Center has enlisted the expertise of internationally renowned mentors, including Dr. Ashley Stevens (ex-Boston University), Dr. John Fraser (ex-Florida State University and Simon Fraser University), and Dr. Richard Cahoon (ex-Cornell University). All three are past presidents and senior members of the American Association of University Technology Managers, bringing a wealth of experience to the program.
"We are excited to collaborate with UNIDO and BEE to elevate the knowledge and case study experiences of Indian tech transfer offices," said Dr. V. Premnath, Founder Director of Venture Center. "This effort is crucial as India transitions to an innovation-driven economy.”
Sandeep Tandon, National Project Manager of the FLCTD Project at UNIDO, echoed this sentiment, stating, "We are thrilled to partner with Venture Center in this important initiative. Climate change poses a global threat, and innovative technological solutions are essential in all sectors of the economy to mitigate environmental impacts.”
This initiative is expected to have a significant impact on India's ability to address pressing societal challenges such as climate change, energy security, food security, and affordable healthcare. By empowering technology transfer professionals, this partnership aims to unlock the potential of research-based technologies and pave the way for a more sustainable and innovative future for India.
