Emerging out of the Shadows

“Watch carefully?the journeys?of others because the beginning of your?own?journey is hidden in?the journeys?of others!” ― Mehmet Murat ildan

Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi, received a project from the National Biopharma Mission (a joint project of the Department of Biotechnology, Govt of India and World Bank) to set up a Technology Transfer Office (TTO to provide services to other institutions as FITT was providing dedicated services to IIT Delhi. Given the institutional infrastructure at hand, it was considered to be an easy pie. There was an impression that the TTO would be an astounding success.

? The TTO at FITT had the benefit of an experienced team and a system befitting a pioneer TTO in India and also a vast network. This did seem alluring, but for Innovation-Technology Transfer Office Foundation for Innovation Technology Transfer (i-TTO) to succeed, establishing its own independent identity was crucial.?

?There were two main challenges i-TTO faced:

1.???Reluctance of many with a TTO connected with IIT Delhi

2.???Preference to work with the parent organization a.k.a FITT, rather than a project-based i-TTO.

? The cause for the fear was that IIT Delhi through FITT would have access to their information and projects, and albeit so will IIT Delhi. Many saw IIT Delhi and FITT as competing rival and were not comfortable. For others, it meant IIT Delhi will be imposing its own systems and policies.?

?The second challenge was that many wanted to work with FITT directly and not with i-TTO as it was running in a project mode. On top of everything, they wanted i-TTO to offer either free services or to have the same arrangement as between FITT and IIT Delhi.

The solution was to put in efforts to create i-TTO's independent identity and that is what I endeavored. Some of the strategies adopted were as follows:

1.???Generation of our independent network.?

2.???Giving prominence to that fact that i-TTO is a project at FITT funded by National Biopharma Mission without any connections with IIT Delhi.

3.???Active participation on social media and carrying out actively curated events.

After two years, i-TTO succeed in establishing a brand name for itself and became renowned by its own identity.

? Some say i-TTO owes its success to FITT and by usage of its network. But infact the credit should go to the i-TTO team who sustained and expanded the network. Unless, relationships are nurtured, quality services provided and quality of services maintained, it is difficult to attain and retain clients. My opinion is that i-TTO' success to become the number one TTO in India is still a long journey.

?I wish luck to the team and safe journey.

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I am a hands-on mom to a naughty little 2-years something Ira and an explorer. I like to explore cultures, new places, cuisines, and innovations. Day on day, I listen to innovations and see the changing trends in technology, experience the pain and happiness in eyes of the entrepreneur while talking about his/her baby aka the start-up, and understand what a company needs while looking for new technology.?I simplify, connect and assist the start-ups, innovators, and entrepreneurs to convert their ideas and innovations to IPR, effectively protect and commercialize IPRs, and scout for IP.

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