The inaugural edition of the Research For Impact Initiative (R4i) organized by the TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR) has successfully concluded. TETFAIR collaborated with Innov8 Hub in this groundbreaking initiative, aiming to equip members of Nigerian academia from various public higher institutions with the skills, processes, and procedures needed to create innovative solutions from their research ideas to address real-world challenges.
Reflecting on the transformative journey of the participants, the initiative involved a series of intensive phases, including a bootcamp, prototype development, market validation, mentorship, entrepreneurship training, venture creation, and prototype pitching.
One participant, Professor Ernest-Bassey Etta Asikong, expressed his conviction that Innov8 Hub holds the necessary solutions for breakthroughs in the development of indigenous technology in Nigeria and Africa. He commended the entire management of Innov8 Hub and TETFund for sponsoring the initiative, pledging to utilize the knowledge gained to facilitate indigenous technology development in Nigeria.
Another participant, Professor Ayotunde Olutumininu Adebambo, shared his experience with the project “ANiMeDRig,” an automatic, digital, non-invasive animal measuring device designed to optimize data collection and processing for easier livestock management and decision-making. He emphasized the importance of TETFAIR in translating ideas into innovation and enterprise, conducting market validation, and refining prototypes. The initiative guided them on pitching their product to potential investors, and they secured space for prototype testing on a farm.
Both participants highlighted the valuable knowledge gained during the initiative, covering areas such as research commercialization, concept development, assumption testing, ideation, customer co-creation, prototype development, and business models. They also appreciated the hands-on interface with experts and emphasized the international best practices observed throughout the program.