CLDP led a U.S. Study Tour on Developing Efficient Innovation Ecosystems for an Algerian delegation from December 5-15, in Washington and Atlanta. The delegation included five entrepreneurs looking to commercialize their innovative technologies, two government officials tasked with promoting innovation in Algeria, the head of Algeria’s information technology association, and a chamber of commerce representative. The program was designed to both teach U.S. best practices in creating successful innovation ecosystems, and to support the entrepreneurs in the commercialization process through training in business plans, intellectual property protection, and pursuing financing for their projects. The delegation met with the Georgia Institute of Technology; US government agencies such as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, National Science Foundation, and National Institutes for Health; intellectual property experts; and venture capitalists.

The program is part of a multi-phased CLDP program to build an innovation ecosystem in Algeria conducive to commercializing products and services from the results of in-country scientific research. It is funded by the Middle East Partnership Initiative of the U.S. Department of State.