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Case study: 3C Programme
Cambridge Enterprise has partnered with a unique consortium between the UK and Argentina. Led by the University of Cambridge Institute for Manufacturing and sponsored by the Global Challenges Research Fund, the Cambridge–Córdoba Collaboration, or 3C, aims to strengthen the development of an early-stage technology innovation system in Córdoba, Argentina.
3C Programme: the importance of international collaboration
3C Programme is the result of knowledge exchange collaborations that started in 2018 between Argentinian and Cambridge-based organisations leading innovation and technology transfer.
Led by the University of Cambridge Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) and sponsored by the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), this international consortium also includes Camnexus, St. John’s Innovation Centre, Cambridge Enterprise, Global Shapers Córdoba and Universidad Nacional de Córdoba.
3C Programme brings together:
- Cambridge Enterprise‘s expertise in training international technology transfer teams, along with an extensive network of commercial contacts through:
- Camnexus, a digital technology start-up of the University of Cambridge specialising in technology development and transfer between the UK and emerging regions
- St John’s Innovation Centre, which has been supporting the growth of the Cambridge ecosystem for more than three decades
- Amy Weatherup, Programme Director of i-Teams Cambridge, a training programme for entrepreneurial scientists
The collaboration among the participants of this project dates back to November 2018, when a group of researchers, technology entrepreneurs, and innovation experts from Cambridge visited Córdoba, funded by a grant from the British Council. Following the visit, Amy Weatherup, i-Teams Programme Director, and Dr Jessica Ocampos, Cambridge Enterprise IOP Associate, scientific entrepreneur, and Director of Camnexus, worked collaboratively with the Fundación Global Shapers Córdoba and the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba to implement and develop locally the i-Teams methodology, to promote the formation of technology clusters.
The pilot programme was delivered in 2019, with a second, virtual edition during 2020, supported by more alliances with Ministry of Science and Technology Córdoba and CONICET Córdoba, among others. A third programme of i-Teams Córdoba is running in 2021 as part of the 3C Programme, with the support of the international consortium.
Through the 3C Programme the consortium is accelerating the commercialisation and social impact of a group of technologies developed in Córdoba, supporting the creation of commercial networks between Córdoba and the UK, increasing skills and technology transfer capacity, and sharing experiences with other regions of the country and other countries with similar economic profiles.
Cambridge Enterprise technology transfer training: global and inclusive
As part of the 3C Programme, Cambridge Enterprise delivered a six day training programme in March 2021 on the principles of research commercialisation, negotiation skills and the role of impact through research, drawing on learning from international experiences and contextualising to the local setting.
The training programme was aimed at professionals from across the research commercialisation spectrum, including those involved in:
- Technology transfer management
- Business incubators
- Technology engagement programmes
- Academia-industry linkage
- Policy making in science, technology and innovation.
With all sessions delivered in both Spanish and English to maximise engagement and accessibility, the virtual online programme format enabled the participation of 30 professionals from eight Argentinian provinces, nine universities, four ministerial organisations in science, technology and industry, and three private organisations comprising incubators and chambers of commerce.