Being dubbed as the marketing arm of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) not only thrives in assisting innovators but at the same time contributes to the country's social and economic development.
As part of fulfilling its mandates, DOST-TAPI recently introduced a new line of programs of assistance to innovators during the launch of its Roadmap and Stakeholders’ Recognition on May 13.
“With our existing programs that cater to intellectual property rights protection, venture financing, prototype development, market and pilot testing, special loaning facilities, and technology expositions, among others, we are adding comprehensive programs in our roster to service and reach out to more stakeholders nationwide,” said DOST-TAPI Director, Atty. Marion Ivy D. Decena.
According to the DOST, for three and a half decades, DOST-TAPI was able to achieve several milestones in consecutive years through the promotion of technology transfer and commercialization, and the administration of invention-related development through the provision of the Invention Development Assistance Fund.
HIRANG 2.0
For the training component, DOST-TAPI improved its Honing Innovations, Research, Agreements, and Negotiations of Government-Funded Technologies (HIRANG) which previously focused on developing the knowledge and skills on IP valuation, technology pitching, negotiation, and licensing of technology transfer officers.
But for HIRANG 2.0, it will focus on training startups and spin-off companies through consultancies and capacity building activities as most local micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs (MSME) are not ready to upscale for investment.
According to DOST-TAPI Chief Science Research Specialist, Romeo M. Javate, local MSMEs have great potential to expand only if appropriate assistance is provided to them.
“We identified this lack of investment-readiness hampers their potential for optimum growth,” he explained.
“A higher investment-readiness level builds confidence and trust among investors hence, a higher investment level attracts investors to share their resources to MSMEs,” DOST-TAPI Supervising Science Research Specialist, Pierre Sonia S. Dela Corte said.
TOP UP
DOST-TAPI created Technology Optimization for Utilization and Market Preparation (TOP UP) in order to guide inventors and innovators turn their ideas into market-ready inventions, particularly for commercial prototyping, IP protection, testing and validation, and pilot production.
“The program provides financial and technical assistance to create a holistic approach that harmonizes the nitty-gritty processes of innovation and invention,” said DOST-TAPI Senior Science Research Specialist, Roberto R. Verzosa.
DOST-TAPI hopes to encourage the development of new technologies and to support the development of commercial prototypes for technology validation.
MAP
In terms of commercialization, the Marketing Assistance Program (MAP) looks to provide a more focused approach in the formulation, development, and implementation of marketing strategies of assisted DOST-TAPI technologies. MAP is a detailed and oriented program designed to address the specific needs of the stakeholders.
“The program is designed with prescribed policies and implementing rules to achieve key objectives,” said DOST-TAPI Senior Science Research Specialist, Florisa Mae A. Ilagan.
Moreover, MAP targets to identify locally-developed technologies that need marketing assistance for them to have custom-fit marketing plans and strategies, and in turn publish market intelligence reports as a reference for other beneficiaries.