Technology Transfer from R&D Institutions to SMEs

Abstract

TEFT is a Norwegian national technology transfer programme which is geared towards small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The main objective of the programme is to increase contact between SMEs and technological R&D institutions. Central to TEFT is a corps often regionally based Technology Attachés who are primarily responsible for running the programme in their regions, and whose main task is to initiate technology projects. Some two hundred projects per year are initiated, with SMEs as the employing organizations and the R&D institutions responsible for operations. About 200 projects have now been concluded. Cooperative efforts between firms and research organizations and Technology Attachés have worked well, and the indications are that similar results may be expected from the ongoing projects.