DOST urges researchers to bring innovations to market

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is encouraging researchers and inventors to collaborate with the agency to help turn their innovations into marketable products and businesses.

Mark Anthony Galon, Science research specialist II and head of the Program and Development for Innovation Management (PDIM) of DOST Northern Mindanao, said the agency’s TECHGROW initiative supports efforts to bring research outputs and laboratory inventions from universities and research institutions to industry and communities.

“Layunin nito na siguraduhin na ang mga imbensiyon at research outputs ay hindi lang nananatili sa laboratoryo kung hindi nagiging aktuwal na produkto, serbisyo o mga negosyo,” Galon said during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing.

(Its goal is to ensure that inventions and research outputs do not remain in laboratories but become actual products, services, or businesses.)

Galon said the program helps bridge the gap between academic research and industry needs.

“Sa madaling salita, ang TECHGROW ang tulay sa pagitan ng research at ng merkado,” he added.

(In simple terms, TECHGROW serves as a bridge between research and the market.)

He noted that many research outputs fail to reach commercialization because of differences between academic priorities and industry requirements.

Since 2019, Northern Mindanao has recorded several gains in technology commercialization.

“Mula noong 2019, kinilala ang Northern Mindanao na Excellence in Technology Licensing na may 43 licensed technologies,” Galon said.

(Since 2019, Northern Mindanao has been recognized for Excellence in Technology Licensing with 43 licensed technologies.)

The TECHGROW initiative aims to help ensure that research innovations move beyond laboratories and become viable products, services, or enterprises.—MCG, GMA Integrated News