Exporter
Are there any grassroots innovations which have international markets?
Yes, there are several grassroots innovations which have markets internationally.
There is a well reasoned hypothesis why grassroots innovations will have markets outside India. If one looks at the conventional models of mass diffusion of technologies, products and services, they have essentially been “Trickle Down” in their approach. Mostly technologies are matured considering the needs of the buyers who can afford to pay for the huge front-end R&D expenses. This is true particularly in case of private enterprises, where economic bottom-lines are sacrosanct. On the other hand, public sector R&D in a country like India has not been able to deliver quality and quantity as expected due to several structural bottlenecks. In the process, technological needs of large cross-sections of society particularly those in developing nations are mostly not met and, if met, not adequate either in terms of proper functionality or affordability...
Our experience shows that it is very much similar case in many other countries. For example in most companies in developing countries like India, are built around technologies that have had their origins in a Western context, which tends to be significantly different than that of the developing countries. Basic demand and supply factors like population, standard of living, buying power, social and family structures, availability of natural resources and geographical spread of consumers are significantly different in developing countries as compared to the developed countries.
One can find significant difference between the technologies available for the rich consuming class and the technologies available for the vast majority of the masses. In this context, grassroots innovations which are need-based, simple and sustainable, have potential to fulfill insatiated need beyond political boundaries and geographies.
How can I search grassroots innovations with international demand on your websites?
You may request us to send all technologies having export potential and we shall send you details. Alternatively, you may search our technology offering portfolio from the below link with key word i.e. ‘export’, ‘international’, ‘global markets’ etc.
What is the process at NIF to initiate international commercialization of a technology?
You may initiate the dialogue for search of a suitable technology from our portfolio. Or, if you have already decided on the technology, you may request the country for which technology right you would be interested in to acquire.
The general course of technology licensing would be;
- Identification of technology by entrepreneur
- Signing of Non-Disclosure Agreement
- Validation of performance of technology (through live-demonstrations, test-reports, expert reports, field visit by entrepreneur etc)
- Freezing on the scope of licensing i.e. region, exclusivity etc through discussion
- IP protection measures in the country under consideration
- Presentation by NIF on the business opportunity and valuation of the technology
- Negotiations
- Closing the deal, signing MoU for technology transfer
- Initiation of transfer process by exchanging design documents, technical data, market data, financial data, visit of innovator to entrepreneur’s site
- You. You may not be keen to acquire technology rights but may be willing to be a country sourcing agent for a particular technology (has to be a ready-to-market product where manufacturer exists), we will introduce you to the concerned party.
Of course, as an export expert you have great knowledge about emerging demands from several countries and your inputs would be very useful for us in areas i.e.
- Identifying demand potential in foreign countries
- Estimating demand and market needs
- Approaching right parties who might be willing to take up commercialization
- Networking with right parties
- Closure of the technology transfer/ other rights related to commercialization
We would like to mention here that NIF would be open to share benefits arising out of any positive intervention by an expert like you.
