From June 1-5 in Faro, Portugal, CLDP led a Study Tour on Fostering an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Tunisia through Effective Technology Transfer Offices. The program was attended by 11 researchers and managers from technology transfer offices from throughout Tunisia. It was be hosted by the University of Algarve’s Division for Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer, and featured experts in technology transfer and innovation ecosystem development from Portugal and elsewhere in Europe.

The program addressed such issues as developing and managing a technology transfer office, licensing practices and spin-off creation, IP practice in the U.S. and Portugal, investment and marketing of early-stage technologies, business planning, entrepreneurial activity, valuation of technology and faculty know-how, and commercialization through university-industry relationships. The program also included training on best practices in tech transfer, practical examples from the industry, case studies, and guided tours.

Technology transfer in developing countries like Tunisia has many benefits, including fostering entrepreneurship, modernizing industries, creating sources of university funding through licensing and royalties, and placing useful innovations in the public sphere. Technology transfer contributes to Tunisia’s economic goal of transitioning to a knowledge-based economy.