Swissep 25 9.1
Short Summary:
This presentation discusses FICA's (likely a university or research institute) strategy for fostering innovation and technology transfer through a spin-off company model. Key points include transitioning from government-funded research to a more agile, privately-funded approach, focusing on commercializing research outputs (patents and solutions), and building a supportive ecosystem for startups. Specific examples include the development of delivery robots for Samsung and educational tools for STEM education. The implications are increased technology commercialization, talent development, and a stronger Vietnamese technology sector. The process involves identifying talented researchers, providing resources and mentorship for startups, and strategically investing in promising ventures.
Detailed Summary:
The speaker begins by explaining FICA's shift from a primarily government-funded research model to a more private, market-driven approach. They highlight past challenges in transferring research results to commercialization, emphasizing the increased speed and efficiency of private investment decisions. The speaker mentions FICA's high ranking in innovation and their commitment to encouraging researchers to develop new solutions. They state that while many research projects yield patents, only a few make it to market, justifying their focus on targeted investment.
The next section focuses on talent acquisition and retention. FICA aims to attract and retain talented individuals by creating a supportive environment, including opportunities to launch spin-off companies. The speaker stresses the importance of providing the right conditions for researchers to pursue entrepreneurial ventures. A key strategy is to allow promising researchers to become CEOs of spin-offs, or to recruit external CEOs with relevant experience.
The presentation then details FICA's financial model and its successful spin-off program. They mention a profitable factory utilizing three patents developed by FICA researchers, demonstrating the success of their technology transfer strategy. FICA aims for a balanced system between research, teaching, and startups, highlighting their achievement of 25,000 students this year and a projected increase. They also discuss the creation of approximately 50 spin-off startups, with some failures acknowledged as part of the learning process. The speaker emphasizes the importance of not solely focusing on financial returns but also on building a vibrant ecosystem to support student entrepreneurship.
A specific example of a successful investment is a startup focused on STEM educational tools. FICA chose this startup because it was founded by FICA students and addresses a critical need in the Vietnamese market for improved STEM education. This investment aims to familiarize younger generations with STEM technology, preparing them for future opportunities.
Another example is the development of delivery robots, initially for Samsung factories in Vietnam and Taiwan, and later expanding to Korea. This project highlights FICA's ability to compete with international companies by offering localized solutions and superior technical support. The speaker emphasizes that while the long-term success of these spin-offs isn't guaranteed, they are valuable for attracting talent and fostering innovation.
The presentation concludes with a discussion of FICA's broader vision. They aim to create a comprehensive ecosystem encompassing education, research, and startups, inspiring future generations of innovators. The speaker mentions the challenges of managing spin-offs and the long-term strategic plan (5-7 years) for achieving their goals. They emphasize the importance of not just focusing on curriculum but also building a center for cultivating semiconductor expertise, acknowledging that this will require significant investment and time to yield substantial returns. The speaker concludes by highlighting the large number of spin-offs as evidence of their successful strategy. The final statement suggests the presentation's topic wasn't entirely the speaker's own but rather a suggestion from the organizers.