Technology Brokers School Trains Specialists to Act as Mediators between Science and Industry

ITMO's School for Technology Brokers is an educational practice-oriented course for future tech brokers who serve as mediators between scientists and manufacturers, implement new research projects into the market (read more about tech brokerage activities).

This year 51 young people became students of the School. At least three times as many people applied to study at the school. To make a decision, the organizers evaluated motivation letters sent by students. Most applicants came to the school with their ideas and plans for commercialization.

For instance, one of the participants develops a market place with extra options such as job market analysis and individual educational and career planning. One other student presented two projects: a service for interaction of salesmen and customers, which takes into account their locations. The second one is an app, which makes it easier for contractors to receive money from their clients.

Some students presented ready-made ideas — a participant from Moscow presented a project of an engineering and consulting company.

From the information gained during lectures students can apply this to a real project. Participants are given three months to implement technologies into the market under supervision of the mentors. They also can focus on implementation of R&D presented by ITMO’s researchers.

Previously it was much harder to evaluate effectiveness of participants, as there were nopractical sessions. Today this activity is supported by the Manufacturing and Entrepreneurial Union of the Leningrad Region.

The program of the School included seminars and workshops headed by experts, representatives of St. Petersburg universities and companies. They talked about intellectual property protection, technological road map, audit check, predictions in scientific and technological and other issues.

The School for Technology Brokers takes place once a year at ITMO. However its autumn sessions can be transferred to partner locations at the beginning of the year if necessary.

"Our permanent partners are experts from companies located in St. Petersburg and other cities as well as from different countries. It is very important to give student an opportunity to interact with representatives of the industry, as they have necessary contacts," noted Nilolay Bovtunov, leading analyst for ITMO's Department of Project Activities and Fundraising, shared on the subject.