Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) in developing countries, least developed countries and transition countries play a key role in enabling local innovators to reach their innovation potential.
Typically located in patent offices, universities, research centers, and science and technology parks, TISCs enable researchers and inventors to get local support in accessing and using technological information from more than 150 million published patent documents and scores of scientific and technical publications. In recent years, many TISCs have started developing additional innovation support services in patent analytics, technology transfer, intellectual property (IP) management and commercialization to adapt to the needs of innovators.
Created and managed by the IP for Innovators Department (IPID) in the WIPO IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector, the TISC program supports WIPO’s mission to help member states develop their IP and innovation ecosystems and to support researchers and innovators in using the IP system for innovation promotion and economic growth.
With the vision to evolve continuously and adapt to the needs and challenges of innovators, the program also strives to expand its portfolio of resources to support TISCs in building their capacities to meet the demands of the innovators they serve. Examples of the resources that will gradually be added and offered to TISCs include support for patent drafting, technology transfer, IP commercialization and valuation, and advice on how to use IP as collateral to secure financing.