Second time's a charm in WACAS 2.0

As a follow through activity of the very first Week-Long Accomplishment and Culminating Activity of Special Projects (WACAS) earlier this year, WACAS 2.0 brings completed or soon-to-be completed projects that created impacts among the scientific community.

WACAS 2.0 showcases the completed projects of DOST-TAPI on 13-20 December 2021

Organized by the Technology Application and Promotion Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-TAPI), WACAS 2.0 showcases two special projects implemented by the Institute through a series of activities on 13-20 December 2021.

New beginnings aspired in the first WACAS

The first WACAS which was conducted in July 2021, featured the notable highlights of the Support to the Commercialization of 500 DOST-Generated Technologies or DOST 500 Project and the Technology Transfer Day Project, both implemented by DOST-TAPI.

It can be remembered that DOST 500 assisted the commercialization of technologies through the creation of intellectual property (IP) databases, IP portfolios, valuations, and freedom to operate reports.

Also, the project helped in the creation of the Fairness Opinion Board, and issuance of Fairness Opinion Report and Written Recommendation, which are crucial components of technology transfer.

Meanwhile, the Technology Transfer Day showcased the Department’s portfolio of market-ready technologies among possible adopters and investors.

This time, the focus is on the Technology Innovation for Commercialization or TECHNiCOM and the Level-up Assistance Project for the Commercialization of Agricultural, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Technologies o LEAP-AANR.

Technology Innovation for Commercialization

The TECHNiCOM is a funding program that fast-tracks the transfer and commercialization of research and development results of identified priority areas by providing support to pre-commercialization activities.

The Program ensures the market-readiness and transfer of locally developed technologies to bridge the gap between research and development, and commercialization.

In 2021, TECHNiCOM completed 56 projects with four ongoing projects, assessed 45 projects for technology transfer and commercialization strategies, released 94 promotional materials, and nominated two technologies to award-giving bodies.

The 179.4-million-peso grants invested to 56 unique TECHNICOM-completed projects have contributed to improving the country.

Specifically, there are 79.2 million pesos in sales gained by the technologies, 1,946 people adopted the technologies, and 122 local and international IPs filed.

Moreover, 158 persons were employed all over the country through the help of the Program from the technologies that ventured into enterprises.

Level-up Assistance Project for the Commercialization of Agricultural, Aquative, and Natural Resources Technologies

The primary focus of the LEAP-AANR is to provide assistance among spinoffs or startups, or even incubatees to commercialize and continue to commercialize the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development

(DOST-PCAARRD)-funded technologies.

Most spinoffs and startups, when they reach a certain stage in commercialization, need support to overcome the challenges brought by market acceptance and pursue a niche opportunity.

The Program planned to build partnerships with them through a mentoring activity particularly on marketing, business operations, and even financial aspects to truly increase profitability and sustain the venture.

In 2021, existing AANR technologies were evaluated and classified according to their investment readiness.

Aside from the ready technologies, the Program also received 21 proposals to conduct an evaluation through an inter-agency technical committees from AANR projects all over the country in a very short amount of time.

The LEAP-AANR AANR was able to publish a Compendium of Experts as an easy reference to stakeholders.

Continuation of celebrating legacies

WACAS 2.0 starts with the launching of publications on 13 December, the conduct of a virtual presser for the media partners on 14 December, the conduct of capacity building on 15 December, the orientation of accomplishments on 16 December, and the culmination of activities on 20 December.

For the complete list of the program of activities, please refer to the program below:

For        more     information,     please  contact               8837      2071      locals   2157      and        2167,     or email info@tapi.dost.gov.ph.

DOST-TAPI S&T Media Service

Jund Rian A. Doringo