‘Connect, communicate and convert”: A workshop to boost INMA technology transfer
With a practical and strategic approach, the Aragon Nanoscience and Materials Institute (INMA), a joint institute between CSIC and the University of Zaragoza, held on Wednesday 28th Nov. 2024, the “Connect, communicate and convert: Keys to present your technological capabilities to successful companies”, at its headquarters in the Edificio I+D+i of the Rio Ebro Campus, which marked the beginning of the ‘INMA Transfiere’ programme, a key activity within the scientific project Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence of INMA.
The workshop, run by the consultancy firm ¿POR QUÉ NO?, was attended by Sofía Gimeno, head of the Materials R&D laboratory of the company FERSA in Zaragoza, and Luis Mata, technical director of the company ZEULAB. These companies contributed their business experience, evaluating and offering valuable recommendations to the attendees on how to present and communicate their technological capabilities effectively.
An inclusive and collaborative space
The event brought together more than 30 participants, including pre-doctoral students, project management technicians, post-doctoral researchers and research group leaders. The high female representation stood out, with a participation of over 60%, reflecting INMA’s commitment to gender diversity in science and technology.
During the day, key activities were developed such as:
- Work and debate dynamics, exploring the disconnections between the research and business worlds.
- Elaboration and refinement of technological skills sheets, aimed at highlighting services, methodologies and key competences of the participants.
- Direct feedback sessions with business representatives and consultants, who offered concrete suggestions to improve the communication and valorisation of research results.
- Outcomes and learnings.
As a result of the workshop, participants were able not only to develop their technology factsheets, but also to gain a critical and enriching vision to optimise them. Among the main learnings shared by the participants, the following were highlighted:
- Proactivity as a competitive advantage.
- The importance of simple and clear language to connect with non-specialised audiences.
- Valuing know-how as a strategic tool.
- The critical review of competitors to identify opportunities for differentiation.
- The complementary vision offered by the workshop to focus new technology transfer strategies.
Commitment to socio-economic impact
This workshop is just the beginning of a series of activities of the ‘INMA Transfiere’ programme, whose main objective is to increase the scientific and socio-economic impact of INMA’s research results, strengthening the links between the research community and the business sector.
‘This type of initiative is essential to connect research talent with the needs of the business community, facilitating a more effective transfer of knowledge and real impact,’ said María Pilar Pina Iritia, Acting Deputy Director of INMA.
For more information on the programme and upcoming activities, visit https://inma.unizar-csic.es/transferencia/oferta-tecnologica/.
