THE Technological Institute of the Philippines has engaged the services of William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan to develop a strategic roadmap to commercialize its technologies produced through funded research and special projects.

The collaboration will assess the readiness of various externally funded TIP technologies and intellectual properties, and obtain economic value from them through licensing, startup ventures, or corporate spinoffs.

The commercialization plan will guide TIP researchers in their initiatives along with technology transfer.

A WDI-UM Multidisciplinary Action Project team visited the TIP campuses in Quezon City and Manila from September 18 to 22, 2023. The team will deliver a comprehensive report on the commercial viability of TIP technologies and how these can be marketed.

“We’re talking about taking ideas that come out of the industry or out of an academic institution and making them progress to the point that they can end up in the customers’ hands,” said WDI president Dr. Paul Clyde.

“We need to be prepared for the fact that most ideas that come up are likely to fail… But when you combine it with educational opportunities, it’s not a failure… This is part of a longer journey between T.I.P. and the William Davidson Institute,” Dr. Clyde said.

He conducted learning sessions for TIP faculty researchers during the one-week visit in the Philippines. The MAP team also held discussions with educators and industry partners to conduct market research on two potential business ideas.

“Getting to know the originators of technologies and the resources at TIP TechnoCoRe gave us a good launching point for this longer term collaboration with WDI,” the MAP team said.

TIP TechnoCoRe director Dr. Therese May Alejandrino said engaging WDI-UM and its MAP team offers a necessary “outsiders’ perspective” for the school to evaluate its existing structures and practices and how those may be improved further through a tailored commercialization plan.

“We hope that as we firm up our commercialization roadmap, in collaboration with WDI and other stakeholders, we will ensure that TIP technologies benefit the Filipino communities,” she added.