1. Innovation, Knowledge & Technology Transfer in MK 2010 Prof. D-r Marjan Gusev University Sts Cyril and Methodius PMF Institute of Informatics Skopje, Macedonia

2. Agenda Definitions Examples Lessons learned

3. What is Knowledge Transfer ? The practical problem of transferring knowledge from one part of the organization to another Many national governments have increasingly recognized knowledge and Innovation as significant driving forces of economic growth, social development, and job creation Towards Knowledge Based Economy in Information Society

4. Knowledge transfer is not It is a synonym for training. Not to be confused – information with knowledge Information is connected with data Knowledge is connected with skills

5. DIKW model

6. From knowledge to wisdom

7. What is Technology Transfer ? The process of sharing of skills, knowledge, technologies, methods of manufacturing, among governments and other institutions To ensure scientific and technological developments Access a wider range of users Further development

8. What is Innovation ? Inspiration Invention Innovation Why does IT matters? Idea Application Benefit

9. 5 In @ growing business Incubation Innovation Inspiration Information Indicators Intelligence

10. In in action Incubators – just space Techno Centers – just university Techno Parks – all togeather

11. Macedonia example Early centers 97-2002 Second Wave 2003-2007 Third – matured stage 2007-…

12. Early Ideas - incubators Part of two programs developed by the World Bank in the period of 1997/98 and 2000/01. The budget for establishing the incubators was part of a credit line provided by the World Bank. Implementation partner was the Macedonian Agency for privatization, and then delegated to the Ministry of Economics and the Agency for promotion of entrepreneurship.

13. The first incubators The World Bank program projected the forming of 8 incubators. The incubator in Krusevo failed, and until 2004 seven incubators were functional in Prilep, Makedonska Kamenica, Delcevo, Shtip (1997), Strumica, Ohrid and Veles.

14. World Bank project The process after selecting the cities, began with the identification of former state companies that needed privatization, but had debts and were facing bankruptcy and liquidation. The municipalities were contacted then, and the service providers. Only 20 municipalities applied for a business incubator project.

15. Problems with early centers The volunteer base expected from the representatives of the board, (max. 15 people from the municipality, companies, consultancy firms, employment biro) resulted with lack of interest for participation. The pressure by the mayors of the municipalities, they wanted to be more involved in the process of decision making for the implementation of the incubators (ex. Veles)

16. Lessons learnt first wave Management choice (interference of local government, Financial support (after the support finished, centers simply died) Political will (insufficient support of local and central authorities)

17. Second Wave GTZ/Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH in started initiative to start Techno Centers. The idea was almost realized in cooperation with Faculty of science, IT Institute. Ministry of education began the project for designing a Center for technology transfer, The Ministry of education came as an investor, while the“head” of the project was the IT Institute.

18. Second wave – later stage Failing to realize the idea with IT institute, GTZ found new partners and realized two centers: AgriCultural Center (as a part of Agri Cultural Faculty) Mech. Eng Center (as part of Mech. Eng. Faculty) Bitola started Tech Center with Greek agency, as cross border cooperation.

19. Lessons learnt with second wave Lack of political will, respectively the change of the government in the period of 2002/3. Lack of knowledge about entrepreneurship and insufficient existence of financial instruments like seed capital funds, business angel networks. Obstructions by municipalities, government and even Faculty!

20. Business incubators -Third wave Business incubators – Not just renting the offices, But also added value to skills, better access to facilities etc.

21. Yes incubator Total area of 600 м² with 19 offices (equipped for renting for potential tenants), 1 meeting and 1 conference room, 2 computer labs, a kitchen, inner yard with an area of 160 м² and a parking space for 25 vehicles. 16-20 companies working at the incubator. Norwegian Ministry of foreign affairs Foundation Open Society Institute of Macedonia.

22. Raising interest in YES Incubator YES also initiated projects from other donors, and EU programs to provide financial sources for the functioning of the incubator after the termination of first projects. Demand is 2000-3000 м2. Several ideas to continue…

23. Business StartuP Center at UKIM Placed at new building of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. It is a place where students can easily find the necessary information about their future professional path, looking to start their own business or find a job more easily. In order to deal with this challenge, the center offers its members a variety of services in the form of business support, consultancy services and...

24. Business Startup center The Start up Center has a total area of 100 m2. It has 4 offices; 2 for the management and 2 for rent. At the moment, only one company is a tenant in the center. The tenants are free to use the computer lab and the conference room from the Faculty, for free. Incubation period is 1 year.

25. SEEU BDC YES Incubator Tetovo Due to small number of offices, it functions as Business Development Center. It organizes trainings and consultancies Total area of 60 m2, with 39 m2 useful space. Total number of offices is 4 with an area of 12 to 20 m2, from which 3 are offices for renting and 1 is a shared office.

26. Business Startup Center - Bitola Premises of 300 m2 with 11 offices The rent is 5 €/м2, Incubation period 2 years Follow up of second wave incubator – started as Techno Center, still problems with finances!

27. Strumica Incubator The incubator has premises of 2800 m2, out of which 2500 m2 are manufacturing space, 200 m2 are office space. The premises are former army barracks. (follow up of first wave incubators started by World Bank) 18 companies working at moment with incubation period of 5 years. Not Techno Center – just incubator!

28. Lessons learned Space should be 2000-3000m2 in order to be sustainable. Public financing in early stage is crucial Skopje and Bitola started to look for new sources early and survived Serbia and Bosnia governments allocated more funds (approx.100 times more then MK) Balance of offered add on services.

29. Lessons learned You need all stakeholders – University, Local and Central Government and Banks (donors) How to be successful Starting innovative projects Technology and Knowledge Transfer (knowledge triangle)

30. What to do! Think globally Act locally Innovate Use IT