Project activities have been primarily carried out by the staff of the company. According to the project plan some tasks have been subcontracted to independent third parties. A business coaching services has been provided by the programme, that assisted company to have better understanding of clients needs and marketing methods, and better knowledge upon strategic approach for successful commersialisation of the project.
Detailed technical review of the project was carried out at this stage. An Independent Technical Feasibility report has been provided by a technology company experienced in ocean science equipment and microelectronics, including recommendations on the technological aspects.
Intellectual Property Management Plan was developed. An experienced patent expert was subcontracted to analyze the IPR potential of the project, and the innovation strategy of the company.
The need of external support of the ZEBCOM business idea has been studied. Preliminary agreements for support and cooperation with 3rd party organisations during next phase of the project have been reached.
Testing, analysis and calibration of different components of the innovative system continued during Phase 1 of the project. They were an essential part of the feasibility study, as they provided important information to take decision on important issue for the further development of the project.
Finally, a Feasibility Study Report and a Business plan were elaborated, assisted by an external consultant.
Main results obtained during Phase 1 of the project:
- The planned Feasibility study, including a Business plan, has been successfully completed
- A number of supporting technical reports & documents have been provided (independent technical review, patent file, freedom-to-operate report, coaching service report, market study report etc.), and are outlined here below in this document
- Framework Agreements with third-party organisations were reached to provide support and cooperation within the next phase of the project
- The project was successfully presented at series of meetings with stakeholders, as well as by a successful dissemination campaign in the national news media.
Conclusion of the action is that, based on the Feasibility Study, Market Analysis, Economical and Financial evaluation and related indicators, the project investment is evaluated as:
Low-to-moderate risk investment that has the potential to provide high returns. The project shall continue according to its original strategic vision, with some improvements regarding technical and operational aspects of the ZEBCOM system.
The activities done within Phase 1 - the Feasibility Study - fitted very well into the overall project plan, as it came at the right time of the project development, giving the chances to focus and to trace the right way to reach the market.
Within the next stage of the project, the final (improved) system prototype will be commissioned, as well as the logistics, equipment and infrastructure for serial manufacturing will be established, together with relevant marketing and financial developments.
