Georgian Research & Development Foundation (GRDF)

1. CRDF Global/GRDF Programmatic Activity to Promote Knowledge Based Economy in Georgia Georgian Research & Development Foundation (GRDF) Technology Commercialization and Innovation Conference 29 – 31 March, 2017

2. Georgian Research & Development Foundation (GRDF) • Non-government, non-profit foundation since 2001, promoting international scientific and technical collaboration. • Major goals of GRDF: • Support of R&D potential in Georgia; • Support of young researchers and scientists; • Development and strengthening of international scientific collaboration; • Involvement of former weapon scientists into civilian research; • Contribution to development of knowledge based Economy.

3. GRDF Funding priorities • Support of competitively capable scientific R & D; • Support of young scientists and engineers; • Development of research potential within universities; • Support of business oriented scientists (STEP);

4. GRDF Programs • International Project Management • Peer-review competitions and Grant administration • Organizing of conferences, trainings, workshops • Support Entrepreneurship and Innovation Granted over $19 million throughout over 200 projects since inception, engaging more than 750 Georgian researchers

5. Development of Research Potential within Universities, Integration Research into Education programs • Georgian Centers of Research and Education (CoRE) Program - Established at Ilia State University - Exploring Biodiversity of Caucasus • Center for Pathogen Research and Education (CPRE) - Established at Ilia State University - Study of molecular characteristics of pathogens in Georgia - Integration pathogen study into the education system

6. Local Institutions Train Entrepreneurs Build Community Science Business Commercial Opportunity Foster Development of Knowledge-based EconomySTEP Program Science& Technology Entrepreneurship Program Catalyzing Local Development through Local Innovation

7. Foster Development of Knowledge-based Economy Business Partnership Grant Program (BPG) • Program conducted eight times • Significant co-funding from Shota Rustaveli National Science foundation • At least 15% company cash contribution was mandatory • In total 50 innovative projects funded

8. Foster Development of Knowledge-based Economy BPG program - General results: • 140 business oriented scientists and 70 companies participated • 50 Science & Business contacts set • Up to 40 innovative technologies were tested (including prototyping) • About 20 innovative products were presented to the market • 4 technology based start-up companies were created • Science teams and partner companies/technology based start-up companies received profit up to 400.000 GEL • About 30 patent applications (Georgian national and PCT) were filed Licensing processes for 4-5 technologies are under negotiation

9. “Peer Review and Sustainable Science for Georgia” • Program start date – August, 2011 • Funding from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (U.S. DTRA) • Series of Grant competitions and intensive trainings • Involving scientists from Georgian Universities and Research Institutions

10. Program objective – further DTRA’s effort to reduce risk of biological weapons proliferation and enhance biosafety and security by: • Improving outreach to younger scientists and the university community • Strengthening regional collaboration • Building ties with a broader range of institutions and scientists • Expanding the range of research funded • Promoting the integration of research into universities • Improving the professional skills of Georgian researchers • Enhancing capabilities and opportunities for technology commercialization

11. Technology commercialization under the DTRA program • Technology Commercialization Offices (TCO) Grant program • Business Partnership Grant Program (BPG) • Technology Commercialization Training

12. Technology Commercialization Office (TCO) grant program • Two Technology Commercialization Offices (TCO) established in Tbilisi • TCO mission - helping to lead institutions towards technology commercialization and encourage science to business linkages • U.S. mentorship for the TCO teams • Intensive educational activity with Georgian scientific community on commercialization efforts • Competitions to identify market oriented technologies

13. Business Partnership Grant Program (BPG) • Program goal: Support Georgian scientist to assess the market value of their innovation and commercialization of their products • 5 grants awarded to Georgian scientific teams • U.S. mentorship to each team • Innovative products developed under all 5 projects were presented to the local Market • Local patent applications for the developed products are being filed • One technology was filed at USPTO for the U.S. patent

14. Technology Commercialization Workshop • Conducted in April 2015 • Targeted sector – BPG program applicant teams (25 scientists) • U.S. based Commercialization experts provided training • Training topics: Business Skills Development, Technology Commercialization, Intellectual Property, etc

15. Thank you for your attention! Nikoloz Burdiashvili Program Manager 7, Mindeli str. 0186 Tbilisi, Georgia Tel: +995 32 232 0168 web: www.grdf.ge; e-mail: niko@grdf.ge