The Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) will collaborate with the NRI-Technology Business Incubator (NRI-TBI) to support techpreneurs planning to invest in the state.
“We have set up a Centre for Innovation, Technology Transfer & Industrial Collaboration (CITTIC) which will serve as an interface between research and commercialization of products such as evaluation and patenting of inventions, technology licensing and industry relationship management,” said Cusat vice-chancellor Ramachandran Thekkedath.
The NRI-TBI, which was inaugurated during the Pravasi Bharat meet in Kochi last month, also has the support of the Technopark Technology Business Incubation Centre (TTBIC) and Infopark.
“Incubation centres were key to successful investment by non-resident Chinese in China. We are looking to set up something along those lines,” said technology business incubator secretary Arun Balachandran.
Infopark CEO Gigo Joseph said during discussions with Cusat vice-chancellor, it was known that Cusat would help in technology, innovation, research support and also issues relating to intellectual property rights.
The state IT department has allocated 2,500 sq ft space at Infopark, Kochi for NRI-TBI. More NRI-TBI units will come up in other IT parks, including Technopark in Kollam and Cyberpark in Kozhikode.
“We will function as a nodal centre from the Infopark and Technopark and focus on NRIs looking for knowledge support here,” said Sam Thomas, CITTIC, Cusat.
CITTIC would aid in pure technology transfer, technology transfer along with incubating service, sponsored research, start-up assistance, setting up new units and technology parks.