Title: Integrating lean startup tools in the technology transfer process: the 'Develop+Protect+Commercialise' model

Authors: Antonios D. Livieratos; Yiannis Dimitrakopoulos; Christos Tsinopoulos

Addresses: Department of Business Administration, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Sofokleous 1, 10559, Athens, Greece ' Archimedes Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Paparrigopoulou 1, 10561, Athens, Greece ' Durham University Business School, Millhil Ln, Durham DH1 3LB, UK

Abstract: The Develop+Protect+Commercialise model (D+P+C) presented here integrates lean startup principles in the technology transfer process. D+P+C captures the process 'from lab to market' and systematises feedback loops from an early stage to mitigate risks and increase the chances of commercialisation success. Targeting both the researcher and the TT officer, it consists of three parallel streams connected through a series of feedback loops: develop, protect, and commercialise. Each stream is composed of a sequence of steps, which generate options, and, in turn, lead to decisions. D+P+C was developed in the framework of an action research project, and its main purpose is to guide researchers looking to commercialise their work. By applying the model, four key lessons are offered: 1) break the silos of the lab; 2) obtain feedback and iterate within and across all streams; 3) tolerate failure; 4) fail fast, learn fast.

Keywords: technology transfer; research commercialisation; lean startup; intellectual property; open innovation; university technology transfer office; Greece; National and Kapodistrian University of Athens; action research; action innovation management research; minimum viable product; business model triangle; expert validation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTTC.2022.127582

International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, 2022 Vol.19 No.4, pp.439 - 467

Received: 20 Jul 2021
Accepted: 06 Jan 2022

Published online: 12 Dec 2022 *

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