Commercialization of Industrial Research

Ubaid YounusCOO - Imhere (Pvt) limited

Representative TECH Pakistan

www.imhere.pk

www.Techpakistan.org

Why Commercialization

• National Needs

• Growing population

• Youth Bulge

high population especially of young adult male leads to unrest, conflict, violence, war and terrorismFuller (1995) and Heinsohn’s (2003) Youth Bulge theory,

20m

The number of new jobs we need to create each year to accommodate

youth

Why Commercialization

• Market Need

• Disruptions/Change in competition

Strengths of Academia

Working Space

Access to knowledge

Great Brains

Free Human Resource

Shared Services

Commercial Value of Academic Research

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v533/n7601_supp/full/533S6a.htm

Models of Engagement

• State/Academic Partnerships

• Academic/Industrial Partnerships

• Start-up companies

• Crowd funding

Leading countries with Industry funded research

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v533/n7601_supp/full/533S6a.html

Leading countries in Research based startups

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v533/n7601_supp/full/533S6a.html

The Gap

5

1. You move the wrong way

Industry – Demand Driven

Need identification

Market Analysis Business

development Design Finalization

Technology Research

Marketing

Customer Service

Academia – Supply Driven

Technology Research

Design Finalization

Product development

Marketing

Business development

Need identification

2. Personal Goals Vs Commercial Projects?

The Academia is rewarded

• Journal Papers,

• Conference Papers,

• Citations and

• Student Feedback

Where is the incentive for Commercialization?

3. 4 examination breaks per year

– Seriously!

4. We have different risk profiles

2.2

2.9

3.8

4

5.3

7.8

8.5

GOVERNMENT SERVANTS

ACADEMIA

BANKERS

EMPLOYEE MNC

EMPLOYEE PRIVATE SECTOR

BUSINESSMEN

ENTRA

Based on academic non scientific research. Used here only to highlight difference and not to be judged based on value

5. “Kun Fa Yakun” is not a business practice

Business Practice

Follow up

Monitor Progress

Provide guidance

Assign Task

Academic Practice

Grade it……..WaitLet it be

done

What to do

The Low Hanging Fruit - FYP

Actions

• House companies inside the campus

• Involve industry at the time of project allocation

• Subcontract ORIC office (Managed Service)

Mobility and Interaction

• Do away with primitive performance Management system

• Commercialization should be part of Faculty KPI

Incentives for Academic Researchers

• Convene Angel investors and University to match their commitment Rupee to Rupee

• Conduct bi annual elevator Pitch competition

Supportive Capital funding

• Reward cross disciplinary Final year Projects (Engineering & Management etc)

• Encourage Interuniversity projectsPolicy Initiatives