WIPO/INN/MCT/04/3
WIPO NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON INNOVATION SUPPORT
SERVICES AND THEIR MANAGEMENT
Muscat, April 20, 2004
DEVELOPMENT OF AN INNOVATION
CENTER
presented by the International Bureau of the
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
Invention and Innovation
• Invention
• Innovation
• Key actors in the innovation process:
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inventors and innovators
entrepreneurs
R&D organizations
innovative companies
Muscat - April 20, 2004
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Innovation Support Services Are They Necessary?
• Invention and innovation =
engines of growth and development
• Innovations do not happen =
they are planned and developed
• Longer period for development and marketing
• Need for initial support and resources
Muscat - April 20, 2004
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Government Support is Justified
 Many governments support innovation
public services, financing, tax breaks
 Private sector = limited support, expecting short term
returns
 Innovation support = long term, strategic investment,
same as funding for R&D activities
 Innovation support = public service, similar to health
care and education
Muscat - April 20, 2004
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Designing an Innovation
Support Service
Main Objectives:
 Promote innovation and knowledge based
sustainable development
 Stimulate use and application of national knowledge
and innovation potential
 Encourage employment through creativity and
entrepreneurship
Muscat - April 20, 2004
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Designing an Innovation
Support Service
Main Actions:
 Selection
and information
 Assistance / advise / coaching
 Education and awareness building
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Designing an Innovation
Support Service
Activities:
Receiving and screening innovative projects
Assess success potential
Support promising projects
Promote awareness
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Designing an Innovation
Support Service
Activities:
Maximize the number of routinely processed
inventions/projects
Assist development and packaging of promising
inventions / projects
Attract resources for promising projects
Educate inventors / innovators on the innovation
process and management
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Creating an Innovation Center
Feasibility Study
 Existing innovation and invention potential
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Sources of invention and innovation
The major fields of technology
The existing expertise
The legal and financial framework
Government policies and support for innovation
Intellectual property system
Beneficiaries (SMEs, R&D organizations, etc.)
Economic and financial environment for enterprise
creation and support for public sector R&D
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Creating an Innovation Center
Strategic Decisions:
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Define objectives
Identify field of technology
Identify general manager / innovation champion
Identify participants / stakeholders
• private sector, government agencies, financial institutions,
universities, R&D organizations
• Select board members
• Define scope of activities and conditions (free or fee
based)
Muscat - April 20, 2004
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Creating an Innovation Center
Strategic Decisions - Scope of Activities:
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Innovation awareness creation and training
Project assessment and report
Project support and business planning
IPR related services
Business promotion and marketing
Strong Internet presence
Company hosting and incubation
Muscat - April 20, 2004
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Creating an Innovation Center
Strategic Decisions - Conditions:
• Free services, cost-recovery based services or commercial (for
profit) services
• Limited to specific users or open for all
• Participation in innovative companies (minority participation)
• Investment (management of innovation support or
development fund)
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Creating an Innovation Center
Operational Planning and Implementation:
 Recruitment of CEO (General Manager)
 Recruitment of Personal Assistant for CEO
 Identification of site/premises for offices
 Formulate policies and procedures for operations:
initial free consultation (e.g. 1 hr. duration)
further support (e.g. project equity, cost fee)
produce a check-list for assessing submissions
produce a score sheet for project evaluation
 Select local advisers / consultants accountants and auditors,
legal advisers
Muscat - April 20, 2004
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Creating an Innovation Center
Operational Planning and Implementation:
Select project assessment panel
Identify technical experts to assist in project evaluation
Develop and use operational guidelines and model
agreements
 confidential disclosure agreement
 model supply of materials agreement
 model consultancy and services agreement
 assignment of rights agreement
 model R&D, license, and joint venture agreements
Create Internet site
Engagement of business development executives
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Creating an Innovation Center
• Innovation support services to be operated as business
companies
• Operational funds should be made available for a minimal
period of 3 to 5 years
• Promising innovation projects to be also considered by
government planners
• Innovation support services should not be subject to taxation
(profit or cooperate tax)
• Special attention to intellectual property (IP) matters
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Conclusions
• Innovation Support Services:
 Add value to R&D activities
 Selection of promising projects
 Nursery for new products and technology
 Entrepreneurs create the missing link
 Government and public authorities create favorable
environment
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Innovation support services
help transform ideas
and dreams into
real action and products
Thank you for your attention
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