Technology & Innovation Support Center (TISCs)

  • Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) are local support hubs located in universities, research institutes, or innovation parks that assist inventors and SMEs in accessing technology information and intellectual property services. According to WIPO, TISCs "help innovators around the world unlock their innovative potential and protect, manage, and create value with their IP rights." They act as "bridges" between ideas and markets, offering easy access to patent and scientific databases, training, and advisory services.
    TISCs are intended to be easily accessible to inventors; they can be found in public research centers, technology hubs, and at the EIPA. They usually offer a range of services at no or low cost: for example, access to online patent and non-patent databases, assistance in searching and analyzing technology information, training workshops on IP fundamentals, help with patent drafting and filing, and guidance on licensing and commercialization. In short, TISCs can help at every stage of the innovation process, from conducting preliminary patent searches to planning how to use intellectual property in your business.
    Typical TISC services include assisting an inventor in searching through patent documents, analyzing technological trends, and preparing patent applications. They may also host intellectual property management seminars and connect innovators with potential industry partners. TISCs help Ethiopian researchers and entrepreneurs stay informed about global technologies and navigate the intellectual property process. WIPO states that such centers are critical for "accessing patent and non-patent information, thus facilitating innovation, technology transfer, and economic growth." In practice, an inventor may visit a TISC to learn how to draft a patent claim or to determine whether their invention is novel.