One of the most difficult aspects of carrying out research is maximising future revenue income generated as a result of the outputs of the research.

In a study we carried out for the Office of Science & Technology entitled 'Commercialisation Impact Assessment of the Link Scheme', it rapidly became apparent that the most successful projects were those that had effective plans for commercialisation at an early stage.   The least successful tended to view the project as an R&D exercise and paid little attention to exploiting the results.

It is critically important that you carry out a marketing assessment at an early stage to assess the future demand of the technology. In fact, listening to the market early can help you shape the R&D project to ensure that you maximise returns. The earlier you do this in your R&D project the more likely you are to choose the correct exploitation route whether it be licensing, new start-ups or diversification. It will also ensure that you better meet the needs of end users through forward planning.

We have carried out a large number of assignments to support our clients in maximising their R&D returns through effective technology commercialisation.

Selected examples of our technology commercialisation experience:

Technology Audits

• SME Product & Service Reviews and marketing strategies for 12 English universities and RTO’s
• Review of the LINK Collaborative R&D Scheme to identify underexploited technology and scope for improvement
• Audit of exploitable IP across 16 thematic R&D programmes of the UK National Measurement System (NMS)
• Capability review of a university’s non-technical R&D expertise in the areas of marketing, human resource management and hotel, tourism and retail

Market Research

• Marketing & consultancy support to the EC Joint Research Centres to identify applications and partners for exploitable technology
• A diverse range of technical market research studies for universities, research institutes and technology businesses, including over 25 support projects funded under the Scottish Enterprise Proof of Concept Programme
• Feasibility study for a new School of Life Sciences at the University of Highlands & Islands
• Mentoring of a software entrepreneur to develop a Business Plan to exploit University IP related to ‘computer-aided learning in the health care sector’
• Marketing and strategy support for a spin-out venture from a multinational company in the electronics industry
• Business planning support for recycling and waste management business ventures under the Waste & Resources Action Programme

Commercialisation Training & Support

• Multiple two day training workshops on commercialisation for academics and R&D managers
• Mentoring & marketing support to a university spin-off company in the area of nanotechnology
• Development of a knowledge transfer process to link SMEs to the Universities in the East Midlands