Drawing on scores of case examples from a variety of industries, this book highlights both successful and unsuccessful attempts at technology commercialization, and makes the case for a fresh approach to R&D management based on specialization by stage rather than by function. It also explores the implications for managing technology investments.
Commercializing Innovation: Turning Technology Breakthroughs into Products shows how to turn ideas from R&D labs, universities, patent offices, and inventors into commercially successful products and services. Commercializing technology has never been easy, and it's getting tougher all the time. All the decisions you need to make are complicated by today's breakneck rates of change in enabling technology and by competitive pressures disseminated globally at the speed of the internet: Where to get ideas? Which to pursue? Whom to hire? Where to manufacture? How to fund? Create a startup or license to another? To answer these questions adequately and bring sophisticated products and services successfully to market, you need to deploy the systematic methods detailed in this book. Jerry Schaufeld--serial technology entrepreneur, angel investor, and distinguished professor of entrepreneurship--presents in detail his proven step-by-step commercialization process, beginning with technology assessment and culminating with the successful launch of viable products into the global market. Using case studies, models, and practical tips culled from his entrepreneurial career, he shows readers of Commercializing Innovation how to Source technology that can be turned into products Recognize an opportunity to create a viable product Perform feasibility analyses before sinking too much money into a project Find the right method and means to introduce the product to market Plan the project down to the last detail Execute the project in ways that improve chances of its success Comply with government regulation without crippling your project Decide whether offshore manufacturing is your best option Compete globally with globally sourced ideas and funding
This book helps you find innovative new technology ideas and guides you through the complete lifecycle of product innovation, including screening, funding, development, and commercialization. It gives you an edge by enabling you to start off with a solid foundation and strategy. Commercialization of Innovative Technologies focuses on three core areas that set the stage for successful commercialization: Developing and managing a strong, flexible "innovation team" of inventors, investors, technologists, and entrepreneurs; building a portfolio that spreads risk; leveraging input from technologists throughout the commercialization process.
This collection of papers—by American and Russian specialists—addresses a variety of legal, regulatory, institutional, and financial issues that can promote or hinder technology commercialization. The book is the result of a series of workshops organized by the National Research Council with the Russian Academy of Sciences on commercialization of technologies, particularly those developed at research and educational institutions. Technology Commercialization concludes with a list of actions, programs, and policies which warrant further consideration as Russia tries to improve the success of technology commercialization. This book will be of interest to those concerned with small-business development in post-communist states, university technology management, and comparative technology commercialization.
Successful product design and development requires the ability to take a concept and translate the technology into useful, patentable, commercial products. This book guides the reader through the practical aspects of the commercialization process of drug, diagnostic and device biomedical technology including market analysis, product development, intellectual property and regulatory constraints. Key issues are highlighted at each stage in the process, and case studies are used to provide practical examples. The book will provide a sound road map for those involved in the biotechnology industry to effectively plan the commercialization of profitable regulated medical products. It will also be suitable for a capstone design course in engineering and biotechnology, providing the student with the business acumen skills involved in product development.
A toolbox for accessing federal laboratory innovations and financing the acquisition of new technologies with corporate equity, this book is also a guide to understanding the expertise of specific government laboratories. Entrepreneurs can rapidly accelerate the growth of their companies and become more competitive by acquiring federal laboratory innovations. This book is an indispensable resource for those who want access to the latest breakthrough technologies, most of which can be traced to universities and federally funded laboratories. These taxpayer-funded idea factories can and should be leveraged by companies for competitive advantage. The authors describe how the private sector can engage these labs as long-term strategic partners, as well as development partners for the ongoing, cost-effective improvement of new technologies. Jargon-free and succinct, this guide also explains how to benefit from knowledge of the current technology-transfer landscape in order to maximize this special private-public partnership. No country can equal the United States in research and development assets. But the federal government is not always as successful as it could be in using its authority to encourage such partnerships. It is therefore up to the private sector—entrepreneurs as well as established companies seeking new growth outlets-exploit the information presented here. Included is a directory of federal laboratories with a synopsis of their expertise and contact information, along with copies of the breakthrough technology-transfer legislation that has made technology transfer possible.
Materials are important in the pursuit of virtually every human endeavor. Advances in materials are applied not only in advanced technological systems such as spacecraft, jet engines, computers, and telecommunications but also in a world of more familiar applications from automobiles to floor coverings to fishing rods. This book addresses the factors that impede the transition of new materials from concepts into commercial use. It identifies policies and actions that government and industry, together with universities, can take to remove these impediments. Incentives to accelerate the commercialization of advanced materials are suggested, and recommendations are presented on ways to stimulate competitive commercialization of materials by government, industry, and academia.
The definitive guide for scientific entrepreneurs commercializing sustainable technologies in the chemical sector Lacking the considerable resources of multinational chemical companies, entrepreneurs face a unique set of risks and challenges. How to Commercialize Chemical Technologies for a Sustainable Future is targeted at innovators who are embarking on the entrepreneurial path with their sustainable chemical technology but are unsure of what steps to take. This first-of-its-kind resource features contributions from a diverse team of expert authors, including engineers, venture capitalists, marketing specialists, intellectual property professionals, regulatory experts, industry practitioners, and many others. Accessible and highly practical, this real-world guide covers each step of the technology commercialization process, from market landscape analysis and financing to scale-up and strategic partnering. Throughout the book, effective tactics and strategies for growing a new venture are supported by case studies highlighting the economic and environmental impact of successful commercialization, and identifying the common mistakes that lead to lost opportunities. Filled with invaluable advice and actionable steps, this book: Uses valuation concepts, tools, and examples to demonstrate that for a chemical technology to be sustainable it must not only have market value but also confer benefits to human well-being and the environment Offers templates and tools for understanding what customers need, who the competition is and how to successfully differentiate your product to those customers Describes how to practically advance your technology from conception all the way to commercial demonstration Presents advantages and disadvantages of strategic partnering from the perspective of the start-up and the larger industrial partner, along with strategies to mitigate risks within a partnership Provides an overview of the legal regulatory requirements for bringing new chemicals to market in several key geographic regions, as well as the impact of public policy on commercialization Offers insights and practical strategies on intellectual property management, raising investment, and operationalizing a startup company How to Commercialize Chemical Technologies for a Sustainable Future is essential reading for budding entrepreneurs in chemistry, materials science, and chemical engineering looking to bring their sustainable technologies to market. It is also a valuable reference for investors, policymakers, regulators, and other professionals.
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is one of the largest examples of U.S. public-private partnerships. Founded in 1982, SBIR was designed to encourage small business to develop new processes and products and to provide quality research in support of the many missions of the U.S. government, including health, energy, the environment, and national defense. In response to a request from the U.S. Congress, the National Research Council assessed SBIR as administered by the five federal agencies that together make up 96 percent of program expenditures. This book, one of six in the series, reports on the SBIR program at the National Science Foundation. The study finds that the SBIR program is sound in concept and effective in practice, but that it can also be improved. Currently, the program is delivering results that meet most of the congressional objectives, including stimulating technological innovation, increasing private-sector commercialization of innovations, using small businesses to meet federal research and development needs, and fostering participation by minority and disadvantaged persons. The book suggests ways in which the program can improve operations, continue to increase private-sector commercialization, and improve participation by women and minorities.
