During the last 4 months we have developed a Feasibility study, articulated into 3 tasks (technical feasibility, Commercial plan and financial feasibility). Below is reported a summary of the job done.
Task 1: Technical feasibility
During the technical feasibility CFD simulations over different fan size and shapes have been executed to identify the features of the ATOMIX prototype fan group. A fan design has been chosen to carry out ATOMIX project and the project objectives have been established. Furthermore a deep analysis of the advanced ultrasonic and polarising nozzle has been performed, selecting the technological reference and fixing the objectives for this component. The industrial production cost of ATOMIX and the potential suppliers have been individuated to verify the financial feasibility and its market potential. Finally a technical plan to increase the TRL up to 9 has been elaborated, including a comprehensive risk analysis and a mitigation and contingency plan.
Task 2: Commercial plan
The commercial plan includes 3 different subtasks: a) market analysis, b) definition of a commercialization strategy and c) definition of an IPR strategy to protect and exploit the findings of ATOMIX project.
Subtask 1: Market analysis. During this task an analysis of ATOMIX market has been done: we have considered all the possible drivers and restraints on ATOMIX commercialisation, including an analysis of the technologies used among our main competitors and the opportunity raised by EU regulation regarding pesticide management. Furthermore we made an analysis of market dimensions, considering all the possible market barriers. To show to farmers the great benefits of our technology -that will drive its disruption into the market-, we have realized a cost/benefits table indicating cost, savings and payback time of ATOMIX related with axial and radial fan technologies. This table has shown the outstanding performances of ATOMIX, providing us with a key argument for the commercialization of ATOMIX.
Subtask 2: Commercialisation strategy. The definition of the commercialisation strategy has been a fundamental activity during Phase 1 execution. During this subtask we have identified the main stakeholders involved into the project defining which tasks will be directly carried out by FIENI and which ones by our linked third parties. Furthermore, we have dedicated time and resources with exciting results on the research of customers interested on testing ATOMIX prototypes. We made a commercialisation plan including “on” and “post project” communication and dissemination activities in order to spread awareness of ATOMIX technology among our clients and end users.
Subtask 3: IPR strategy. During this subtask we made an FTO analysis to guarantee that we will not infringe any related patent. This research opened the opportunity to check the current State Of the Art on fan group for atomizers and on ultrasonic nozzles: the outcome was the confirmation that ATOMIX is an unique technology, a lot ahead than our competitors. This finding persuaded us to define a protection strategy concerning the protection of both the fan group design and our enhanced ultrasonic and polarising nozzles.
Task 3: Financial feasibility study
During this task we have demonstrated the capability of FIENI to successfully carry out ATOMIX project. The coverage of 30% of the project is guaranteed by the profit generated by current sales of FIENI fan groups. We have done several projections for ATOMIX sales (3 scenarios evaluated: a pessimist, a conservative and one optimistic) based on our current sales results, our sales network and the business strategy planned for ATOMIX launch. The forecasts showed excellent trading results even in the worst case.
