“Technology business incubation (TBI) must operate as a business. You are on the right track because you are partnering with non-government offices operating business. We want to see a sustainable project. That’s the big challenge for you now, how will you grow the TBI,” said Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) director Dr. Junel B. Soriano during the inception meeting in Pampanga State Agricultural University on 20 January 2022.
Soriano also emphasized that the university should think like a business person in order to sustain and grow the TBI project. He also highlighted the importance of TBI in research for development as well as its role in capacitating the farmer cooperatives and associations.
“We want to see a successful TBI on the ground soon,” he added.
Funded by DA-BAR in October 2021, the project aims to facilitate the innovation and sustained development of start-ups and agri-entrepreneurs through the transfer and commercialization of mature research-based technologies.
Led by Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management Office director Walter L. Pacunana, the project is also in collaboration with DA-Research Outreach Station Magalang.
In attendance during the meeting were PSAU OIC and vice president for academic affairs Dr. Anita G. David and vice president for administration, business and finance Myrna B. Lorenzo; and DA-BAR assistant director Joell H. Lales and selected staff.