7 research teams with technology developments from the Universidad Austral de Chile take part in the Tech-boost program

The initiative, part of the KH Building program, provides advanced innovation training delivered by Know Hub Chile professionals.

This is a new experience with the Universidad Austral de Chile, specifically with its Office of the Vice President for Research, Development and Artistic Creation (VIDCA) and its Transfer and Licensing Office (OTL). It was preceded by two successful editions of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Leveling program, Level-up, and now, with Tech-boost, it will focus on building, through theoretical and practical workshops, advanced capabilities among researchers interested in innovating.

Over 10 weeks, the program aims for participants to acquire tools for evaluating and identifying research results and defining problems, competitors and potential markets; to deepen their understanding of the concepts of value proposition and customer segment in the customer discovery process; to internalize the Customer Discovery methodology as a fundamental tool for identifying needs and developing technology; and to build knowledge of intellectual property strategies, technology transfer and business models.

The 7 teams belong to the faculties of Engineering Sciences, Sciences, Agricultural and Food Sciences, Medicine, and Forest Sciences and Natural Resources, and have innovative projects related to artificial intelligence, clinical simulation, added value for regional hop products, molecular genetics, quality and efficiency, and bioinsecticides based on native fungi.

Marco Ruminot, Intellectual Property and Licensing executive at the Universidad Austral’s OTL, took part in the opening session and said that “the program aims to support researchers through a strategic alliance with Know Hub Chile. In the coming months, as the Vice President’s Office, we will launch competitions for different stages of innovation and entrepreneurship. This training will help them mature their initiatives “.

For his part, Know Hub Chile’s Technology Transfer Manager, Fernando Venegas, urged participants to “make the most of this activity”. He added that “the Universidad Austral is one of our strategic partners. Last year we were already working on the leveling program, with a more theoretical approach; now we invite you to be the main players in this work. You will be managing your own projects and identifying the gaps you need to close to take them to the next level and, ultimately, to society and the market.”

Know Hub Building

Tech-boost is part of Know Hub Building, a program that aims to strengthen Know Hub partners’ institutional capacity in innovation, as well as to build capabilities in managing research results and intellectual property, integrate good technology transfer practices, foster an innovation culture, and support the creation and growth of technology-based ventures.