COMMERCIALIZATION OF SCIENCE NETWORKING AND INNOVATION VOUCHER PROGRAM LAUNCHED FOR UKRAINE
Kyiv, May 25, 2011 — The USAID Local Investment and National Competitiveness Project (USAID LINC) is pleased to announce the launch of its nationwide initiative to promote the commercialization of science through an intensive, focused program of awareness raising, match-making and funding of new partnerships between Ukraine’s vast research and small to medium enterprise (SME) sectors.
The first phase of this initiative is to conduct regional informational roundtables on “Technology Commercialization for SME Competitiveness” in USAID LINC’s target regions of Crimea, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Odesa, Lutsk and Rivne. Based upon the region’s Strategic Plan, a series of subsequent structured match-making events will target partnering between research and business representatives in key industry sectors. The partnered collaborators are then invited to submit their request for an Innovation Voucher from USAID LINC to fund the key activities between the two applicants to facilitate new partnerships for economic growth.
The launch of the Innovation Voucher Program involves USAID LINC making available $2,000 vouchers toward “Last-step-to-market” collaborations between Ukraine’s research sector and innovative SMEs seeking to jointly commercialize scientific and technological developments. The goal is to valorize significant near market-ready technologies by promoting partnerships with the private sector to create new business opportunities, expand the regional tax base and to promote new job formation.
The new Innovation Voucher Program is one additional thrust of the USAID LINC project to promote innovative and sustainable approaches to regional innovation by promoting the introduction of new technologies, products and services.
A series of round tables under the program has been already carried out in the USAID LINC partner regions. A schedule for the next series of events – match-making between R&D and SME – will be published on this page later. For additional information please contact USAID LINC Lawyer Natalia Slynko at (44) 425 47 47 or nslynko@linc.com.ua.
Download Innovation Voucher application form (in Ukrainian, 380 kB).
While filling out the Innovation Voucher application form, please have a look at the evaluation form for applications to make sure that your application contains exhaustive information on the issues based on which it will be reviewed and evaluated.
Innovation Voucher evaluation form (in Ukrainian, 120 kB).

