TIPS began operating in 1986, the same year the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Fund for Science and Technology (UNFSTD) designed the network's original project. In 1994, with its pilot phase of institutionalization and semi-commercialization completed, the network was able to expand and consolidate at international level. In 1996, more than 9600 enterprises joined the TIPS Network while more than 410 000 firms were integrated into the programme through agreements with 150 organizations.