Research-driven technopreneurship – combining university innovation with strategic partnerships – has been crucial to many success stories, from the 1980s PC era and the 1990s digital revolution to today’s mobile and cloud era.
The principle is simple: strategic partnerships are essential for reaching your target audience.
Research in Malaysia is growing, and universities are improving their global rankings. However, only 5% to 10% of this research is commercialised, with even fewer achieving notable success.
Many projects receive funding but struggle to sustain their businesses due to a lack of clear understanding of their target audience or the right partners.
Often, they focus on technology without fully considering user needs, leading to limited industry knowledge in most failed startups.
Even when they identify their audience, finding the right partners remains a challenge.
For example, a startup developing a new diagnostic tool for suspected dengue patients might assume that hospitals are ideal partners, only to discover they aren’t the best fit due to the complexities of the healthcare industry.
As Malaysia aims to create 900 artificial intelligence (AI) startups by 2026 and become a top 20 AI leader, it’s vital for universities – where 80% of scientific research takes place – to work closely with industry to spin off research innovations.
This collaboration must begin early, focusing on identifying gaps, developing solutions, and bringing them to market.
To maximise its impact, all stakeholders must recognise their roles and collaborate to strengthen university-industry partnerships.
Success hinges on combining an innovative solution that addresses a clear need with an industry partner capable of effectively and efficiently tailoring and delivering it to the market through the right channels.
DR DAVID NGO CHEK LING
Visiting chair professor in data science and AI
Malaysia University of Science and Technology
