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Project

Research and development impact vouchers
 

India
Kenya
Project ID
108887
Total Funding
CAD 1,030,000.00
IDRC Officer
David O'Brien
Project Status
Active
Duration
54 months

Programs and partnerships

Foundations for Innovation

Lead institution(s)

Project leader:
Srinivas Ramanujam
India

Project leader:
Sylvia Dimiti
United States

Summary

The research and development (R&D) impact vouchers project seeks to incentivize collaboration between early-stage companies and public research organizations in low and middle-income countries.Read more

The research and development (R&D) impact vouchers project seeks to incentivize collaboration between early-stage companies and public research organizations in low and middle-income countries. Through business-led research projects, the goal is to improve the products and services that companies seek to bring to market in low-income settings or to help them anticipate or overcome technical and operational obstacles.

Public research organizations possess talent, knowledge, and infrastructure that can support private sector innovation. A recognized challenge is that start-ups and small companies underinvest in research and development, lack internal research and development capabilities, and do not actively engage with public research organizations, which constrains their growth and innovation potential. The project will create opportunities for researchers and graduate students to apply their skills, develop new networks, and identify research directions.

This project will be managed by Impact Investors, in partnership with IDRC. IDRC’s funding to public research organizations seeks to complement the financial and business support that Impact Investors provide to companies in which they invest. Through a targeted expression of interest call, IDRC will identify and collaborate with Impact Investors, who employ an investment approach that supports beneficial social or environmental impact alongside financial return.

Research outputs

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Study
Language:

English

Summary

This case study examines three partnerships included in the IDRC voucher program and is based on interviews conducted with representatives from each organisation involved. The partnerships highlighted in this case study illustrate not only the efficacy of the IDRC R&D impact vouchers program, but also the diverse ways in which it can benefit both early-stage companies and their partners in academia. Each of them falls within the guidelines identified by IDRC, but look markedly different from each other, depending on the needs and purpose of each business.

Author(s)
Villgro Africa
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