The document outlines different stages of early stage commercialization from idea/feasibility to prototype development. It describes the technical and commercial activities expected at each stage, including validating concepts, demonstrating proof of concept with potential customers, and developing initial prototypes to test in real world environments. Intellectual property protection and funding requirements also increase as concepts move from idea to prototype validation.

1. Early Stage Commercialization
Idea/Feasibility Proof‐of‐Concept (POC) Prototype
Technical • Basic principles observed • Experiments showing • ‘Breadboard’ validation in
• Technology concept is critical function relevant environment
formulated • ‘Breadboard’ validation in • Prototype development
• It ‘could’ work laboratory in real life environment.
• It ‘should’ work Multiple designs
• System demonstration in
real life environment
• ‘It works’ (maybe not
100%)
Commercial • Business thesis • Contact at least 5 • Ongoing engagement
• 1‐page summary of potential customers to with initial customers to
concept determine need & ensure that design goals
• Initial scan of customer/ requirements are met
competitive landscape • Determine market • Full definition of business
potential, customer and model with short and
competitors long term funding
• Conclude with 8‐10 page requirements.
business model with first • Begin business plan
cut of funding reqt’s
Intellectual None Provisional filing Utility patent filing
Property

2. Feasibility
Feasibility Normally this stage is financed and
Technical • Basic principles observed executed by the technology transfer group
• Technology concept is at the research institute or university where
formulated the technology originates.
• It ‘could’ work
Commercial • Business thesis
• 1‐page summary of Basic technical and commercial feasibility
concept must be demonstrated before qualifying for
• Initial scan of customer/ application for the next stage.
competitive landscape
Intellectual None
Property

3. Proof of Concept Figure 1
Proof‐of‐Concept
Technical • Experiments showing
critical function
• ‘Breadboard’ validation in
laboratory
• It ‘should’ work
Commercial • Contact at least 5
potential customers to
determine need &
requirements
• Determine market
potential, customer and
competitors
• 8‐10 page business
model with first cut of
funding requirements
Intellectual National (KZ) filing
Property

4. Proof of Concept
• Recipient:
– Individual researchers or research groups at Universities and Institutes
• Grant Size: Up to $25,000
• Features:
– University or Institute must provide cost share of at least 20%. Can be
in the form of in‐kind lab or equipment use or waiver of overheads.
• Time Frame: Maximum 12 months
• Application:
– Maximum 6 pages plus budget
– No more than 1.5 pages of science
– Remainder to be description of commercial opportunity and specific
aims of the proposal

5. Prototype Figure 2
Prototype
Technical • ‘Breadboard’ validation in
relevant environment
• Prototype development
in real life environment
• System demonstration in
real life environment
• It ‘works’
Commercial • Ongoing engagement
with initial customers to
ensure that design goals
are met
• Complete business model
• Draft business plan
Intellectual International patent filing
Property (covered by different grant
program)

6. Prototype
• Recipient:
– Individual researchers or research groups at Universities and Institutes,
incorporated entrepreneurs, startups, SME’s with private sector ownership
• Grant Size: Up to $100,000
• Features:
– University, Institute or company must provide cost share of at least 50%. Can
be in the form of in‐kind lab or equipment use or waiver of overheads.
– Optional 5% royalty on revenue from derived products to 150% of grant in
order to pay back grant program.
• Time Frame: Maximum 24 months
• Application:
– Maximum 15 pages plus budget
– No more than 5 pages of science
– Remainder to be description of commercial opportunity and specific aims of
the proposal

7. Manufacturing Prototype Figure 3
Prototype
Technical • Advanced design that
operates in customer
environment
• Integrated into actual
customer operating
conditions for testing
under actual conditions
• It ‘works’ even better!
Commercial • Expand engagement to
beta customers to ensure
that variations in mkt
need are satisfied
• Full business plan with
short and long term
funding requirements
Intellectual International patent filed &
Property waiting confirmation of
acceptance