Assessment of the Technology Innovation for Commercialization Program (TECHNICOM) / Tarhata M. Mariano

Year : 2010

Number of Pages : 239 leaves

Adviser : Prof. Glen A. Imbang

Executive Summary

The study was conducted to assess the Technology Innovation for Commercialization (TECHNICOM) Program funding scheme. The technologies were analyzed to determine the key factors and indicators that made it to the market and the obstacles that hindered other technologies from taking off towards commercialization. Trends and patterns are analyzed to come up with recommendation that could be used by the Program to optimize its function in supporting the technologies. Literatures and other countries' experiences on technology grants were reviewed and compared with the program's mechanism. The TECHNICOM Program was able to provide the support for the technology development however most of the technologies did not proceed to commercialization. The technologies that did not make it to the market have potential but did not catch the interest of the industry. On the other hand, the technologies that were able to reach its intended market are observed to be those who have private sector company collaborators. The program is a great government support to the science community however the number of projects that were adopted by the industry is relatively small. The program must be improved so that the developed technologies that provides social benefits increases. But the question is how? To increase commercialization, the author recommends that the grant schemes used by other countries especially the SBIR program of the United States where the TECHNICOM was patterned should be reviewed. The program on its own provides holistic intervention that covers the development phase of the innovation process. A follow through or support system for the graduates of the program must be provided so that there is a continuity on the innovation process activities of the technologies funded.