Our mission
Strengthen capacity for impact.
To strengthen the capacity of researchers and institutions to translate research knowledge into meaningful practical, commercial and societal impact.
About the Academy
Strengthening the connection between research and real-world impact.
We help researchers and institutions develop the understanding, tools and confidence to connect valuable research with the people, partnerships and pathways that can put it to work.
Why we exist
Excellent research deserves the chance to make a difference.
Valuable research does not automatically translate into practical application or impact.
Researchers may need opportunities to explore the needs their work could address, understand relevant intellectual property considerations, connect with external stakeholders and consider the right way forward. Institutions also benefit when researchers can access practical learning alongside their existing research, enterprise and knowledge exchange support.
The Academy exists to support this learning. We provide research commercialisation education, professional training and institutional capacity-building that help people make informed decisions about how knowledge can create value.
Our vision
Connect knowledge with opportunity.
To contribute to a research ecosystem in which valuable knowledge is more effectively connected to opportunities, partnerships and pathways that generate real-world impact.
Our philosophy
Commercialisation is broader than business creation.
We help participants consider possible pathways without prescribing a single destination.
01 / Open
Pathway-neutral
Licensing, partnerships, public-sector application, policy engagement, social enterprise and open dissemination may all be relevant routes.
02 / Practical
Learning by applying
Participants use frameworks and structured activities to connect concepts with their own research and institutional context.
03 / Collaborative
Built with institutions
We complement existing technology transfer, knowledge exchange and research office structures rather than replace them.
Our place in the ecosystem
Part of a wider research community.
The Afro-Technical Research Commercialisation Academy is an initiative within the Afro-Technical Research Consortium ecosystem. It is operated by AFTEREC LTD.
The Academy is a professional education and capacity-building platform. It does not replace university technology transfer offices, knowledge exchange teams, research offices or professional legal advisers. We encourage participants to work with the appropriate institutional and professional experts when making decisions about intellectual property and research pathways.
Our perspective is African-centred and internationally relevant. We recognise the knowledge, expertise and innovation already present across African research institutions and seek to help strengthen and expand capacity in ways that fit each context.
Explore how the Academy can support your work.
We welcome conversations with researchers, universities and research institutions.