Commercialising Research in Low Resource Contexts

Dr. Edmund Ukwuru
Jun 24
2 min read

Can innovation thrive where resources are scarce? The answer is yes. Low-resource environments often hold the most urgent problems—and the most untapped potential for research-driven solutions. Commercialising research in these settings isn’t just possible—it’s essential. It’s how we turn ideas into access, and knowledge into inclusive progress.

The Problem

Traditional commercialisation models often assume abundant capital, established infrastructure, and robust legal frameworks. But what happens when a researcher is operating in a low-income country, a rural community, or an informal market?

Too many solutions remain stuck in journals because the pathway to scale feels inaccessible or inappropriate. Local researchers face limited access to funding, weak IP enforcement, and few incubators tailored to their context. Global commercialisation templates don’t always translate.

And yet—the need is greatest in these places. Unused research in low-resource contexts is a missed opportunity to solve health, agriculture, education, and climate challenges at scale.

Approaches to Monetizing your Research

1 December 2025 at 10:00 – 4 December 2025 at 16:00Lekki

High angle view of rural community setting with small buildings — A high angle view capturing a rural community, highlighting its unique environment.

The Possibility

Innovation is alive and well in low-resource settings—it just looks different. Mobile health platforms in East Africa, solar-powered agricultural tools in South Asia, and low-cost education apps in Nigeria all started from simple research questions.

What these success stories share is contextual adaptation: building models that fit the environment. Researchers are working with local entrepreneurs, NGOs, and micro-enterprises to co-create solutions, often bypassing traditional commercialisation models for more inclusive ones.

When commercialisation is redefined—not as profit-first, but impact-sustainable—researchers in low-resource contexts become powerful changemakers.

Eye-level view of solar-powered farming equipment in an agricultural field — An eye-level view showcasing innovative solar-powered farming equipment in a lush agricultural setting.

The Solution

At the Translational Research Forum, we explore how to scale research in the places that need it most. Through panels, workshops, and peer networking, you’ll learn:

How researchers have successfully launched ventures or pilots in under-resourced communities.
Alternative funding pathways (like innovation challenges, public-private funds, and pooled grants).
How to build lean prototypes and low-cost MVPs.
Strategies to work with grassroots partners and local stakeholders.

Attend sessions like “Designing Research for Real-World Use” and “Commercialising in the Global South.” Learn from researchers who’ve done it—and are still doing it—without Silicon Valley budgets.