Tech transfer vouchers starting slow, but will help crank up an innovation conversation
By Peter Kerr for sticK
(sticK - 12 July 2011 ) Ten approved projects under MSI's technology transfer voucher scheme that kicked off last November isn't what you'd call a huge number.
TTVs are a way to provide science/innovation expertise to businesses who don't have an in-house R&D capability.
But, just as the SMEs that the TTVs are aimed at, are learning about the scheme, so is the Ministry itself.
That's part of the reason it has dropped the threshold for the 1:1 co-funding to $30,000 from $100,000.
Especially given the recession we're either just coming out of, or still in, depending on who you talk to, coming up with $100k cash to spend on a promising project is often extremely difficult. $30k's a bit more do-able.
For sticK – science, technology, innovation & commercialisation KNOWLEDGE - is a new Wellington based news service concentrating on following the money from ideas to income. Contact editor Peter Kerr at peter.kerr055 @ gmail.com