Commercialisation

The Commercialisation Process 

Commercialisation is essentially the process of converting research outcomes or an invention into a marketable product or process (and by marketable, we just mean “has a market application”). 

The commercialisation process starts with the disclosure of new IP that is seen to have a potential commercial application.  Early disclosure is important, as is refraining from public disclosure through publications. 

There are two methods of disclosure to Flinders Partners:

1. You can log into our project disclosure software Strategiize and enter the details of your idea or project there.  A commercialisation manager will be in contact with you shortly afterwards to discuss your project with you.
2. You can arrange a meeting with one of our commercial managers.  Please note, due to workloads, there may be waiting periods.

Once you have disclosed your project to Flinders Partners and the detail has been entered into Strategiize, Flinders Partners will conduct preliminary due diligence, and assess the commercial potential of the IP. 

From there, a market assessment will be undertaken to determine if an opportunity exists within the market for this new idea.  Validating the market ensures the product or service being developed will solve a real problem and is what the market actually wants.  It provides insight into customers needs, thus reducing the risk of investing in a product or service to market that nobody wants.

Validating an idea and converting it into an opportunity involves:

1. Market analysis and market research
2. Determining competition, market segments, needs and size
3. Developing a point of differentiation
4. Establishing a target segments and a unique selling proposition

Once it has been established that there is a market need for the idea or technology, our commercialisation managers will begin the process of developing an appropriate IP strategy to help successfully take the idea to market. This could involve protecting the IP with a patent or a Trade Secret, licensing the technology or creating a new company.

Flinders Partners believes in early industry engagement, and working in partnership with industry and government groups to get market feedback early on.  The benefit of a collaborative approach is the exchange of tacit knowledge, which invariably leads to the development of a unique and market ready end result.  During this phase, Flinders Partners adopts the role of a facilitator, and can be engaged to handle any negotiations.