2. Technology Entrepreneurship & Commercialization
Developing the next generation of Entrepreneurs
and the High Growth companies of tomorrow.

3. … And in the beginning it was written – go forth and start companies!!!

4. A process-based approach for turning technologies into business opportunities

5. History
COSEPUP Report: “Reshaping the Graduate Education of Scientists and Engineers,” NAS/NAE, 1995
NSF / KIETS Grant:
“Technology, education, and commercialization: Development of new concepts in integrated
education” ( ) Result: a scholarly underpinned process -- TEC

6. Entrepreneurs and Business Community
Rationale for TEC: Bridge the Gap between Research and Commercial Application
Resources
Commercialization
Resources
Research
Resources
“Valley of Death”
Research Faculty
and Students
Level of Development
Entrepreneurs and Business Community

7. The Process or “Algorithm”
Method for crossing the ‘Valley of Death’
Roadmap for commercialization
Process for information gathering and business opportunity development
Strategic Decision Framework
Common language and shared goals

8. Transform Technology into Products/Services
Science &
Technology
The TEC Algorithm
Transform Technology into Products/Services
Concepts
Evaluate Opportunity
Strategy Development
& Implementation
Startup

9. Description/Ideation
Collect Further Info
Product Idea
Prioritization
&
Summarization
Market
Description
Ph 1
Product
Definition
Refinement
Idea
Generation
Further
Technical
Development
Technology Description Worksheet
Initial TPM Worksheet
Product Attribute Worksheet
PAMM
Summary TPM Worksheet
Decision
The objective of the Ideation phase is to develop a set of prioritized product concepts with strong T-P-M linkages

10. Phase 1 & 2 Assessments Idea Phase II Reject or Retain for
Product
Definition
Confirmation
Functional
Assessment
Strategic
Assessment
Decision
Product
Redefinition
Phase II
Reject or Retain for
Further Refinement
Phase 1 Objectives:
To eliminate product ideas (not technologies) based on fatal flaws
Phase 2 Objectives:
To build the business case

11. Commercialization Strategy
Development
Iterate Back
Commercial
Strategy
Business
Proposal
Determination
of Strategic
Factors
Analysis of
Complementary
Assets
Analysis of
Core Assets
Strategic
Components
Decision
Yes
Reject
These are the steps we will follow to develop a viable and sustainable strategy and business plan. We will be creating both an Entry and Expansion strategy during this phase.
Provides a decision making process leading to the commercialization strategy and the business proposal.

12. The Top Line has to “make sense” for an opportunity to exist.
The focus throughout will be on building an opportunity. We can manage the ‘bottom line’, but only if there is a significant top line. This is what we must verify for ourselves and our potential investors. Without a compelling Top Line, there is no business.

13. Creating the Business Proposal
Putting the components together:
ensure that the core technology is commercially viable
identify required complementary resources
make partnering, leveraging, and acquisition decisions regarding essential assets
networking and placement of opportunity with partners & investors IP
Mgt
Business Plan
Marketing
Research
Legal
Services
CORE
Technology
Accounting
Services
Outsourcing
Facilities
Mgt
Mgt
Team
Building the Emerging Case

14. Student Engagement
Graduate Business, Engineering and Science students are placed in multi-disciplinary teams
Each team is assigned a portfolio of technologies and a team of Executives-in-Residence as mentors
Students apply the TEC Algorithm to their portfolios as they learn each phase
The final product is a Business Plan suitable as the basis for launching a new, high growth venture

15. Everyone is Out of their Comfort Zone
Business
Uncertainty
Incomplete
Information
Risk
Scientists & Engineers
Algorithm provides:
Structure
Lexicon
Something to believe in
Others

16. Program Environment Provide incentive – start company
Align goals and rewards – grade on decisions
Provide support – mentors

17. Team Based Structure Self-directed Grade based on decisions made
Roles assigned and changed
Mentors

18. Student Impact
Encourages alertness to entrepreneurial opportunities among graduate scientists and engineers.
Enables career advancement - TEC graduates have gone on to become entrepreneurs, business leaders and company founders.
Provides valued skills that lead to advancement and promotion within organizations.

19. Local Impact
Responsible for attracting $200+ Million of Venture Capital to Triangle companies
Over 350 new jobs created
250+ graduates of the program
Consulting and Training in Fortune 500 companies
Adoption of the processes by large corporations

20. 12+ Years of Experience and Results
MYCOSOL
Start-ups and Licenses Created or Supported
Known Start-ups by TEC’s Graduates
Cronos

21. Diffusion of the TEC Approach
Universities
University of Cape Town
University of Aveiro
Instituto Superior Técnico
Ohio State University
Universidade do Minho
Universidade do Novo
Loughborough University
Universidade do Porto
University of Ljubljana
Universidade de Coimbra
Dublin City University
Universidade Técnica de Lisboa
Escola de Gestão do Porto
Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Deadeok Innopolis Venture Assoc

22. North Carolina State University
Roger Debo Director
TEC Program
North Carolina State University
Campus Box 7229
Raleigh, NC
Phone:
Fax: