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:

inventors and innovators

entrepreneurs
R&D organizations
innovative companies

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

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

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

Designing an Innovation
Support Service
Main Actions:
Selection

and information
Assistance / advise / coaching
Education and awareness building

Designing an Innovation
Support Service
Activities:
Receiving and screening innovative projects
Assess success potential
Support promising projects
Promote awareness

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

Creating an Innovation Center

Feasibility Study
Existing innovation and invention potential

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

Creating an Innovation Center

Strategic Decisions:

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)

Creating an Innovation Center

Strategic Decisions - Scope of Activities:

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

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)

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

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

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

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

Innovation support services

help transform ideas
and dreams into
real action and products
Thank you for your attention