The project "aPad - smaller, lighter, smarter autonomous marine surface vehicle" transforms Autonomous Unmanned Marine Surface vehicle 'aPad', the specific research result of the ongoing FET project no. 640967 "subCULTron", into commercially attractive, sustainable and innovative product that both address societal challenges and is highly competitive in global markets. Initial market research, end-users inquiries suggested high market potential of the aPad. Furthermore, Autonomous Unmanned Vehicles are at the top of Emerging Technologies reports. Associating these with the fact that 70% of our planet is covered by the sea gave us solid motivation for this proposal.
The project foresees three main groups of activities. The first is development of a business plan to support future commercialization process, including strong brand development based on market analysis and development of strategies for three main pillars of innovation business: market, intellectual property and finances. The second is oriented towards linking and interacting with the identified potential customers, societal end-users and investors to collect their feedback, assess technological impact on the society, develop case studies and detect potential future partners. The third one is preparation for the actual spin-off oriented towards establishment of the manufacturing processes and building of spin-off organizational structure.
Main objective of the project is to create a launch pad to validate specific FET project research result and provide comprehensive go-to-market strategies to transform aPad into a credible offering for economic or social impact.
a) Develop the foundation for a successful business case by stating attainable business goals and a plan on how to reach them in a form of a detailed business plan that includes business objectives, market analysis, market strategy, IP strategy and financial forecasts and plans.
b) Promotion of the MVP by exhibiting and demonstration through selected outreach channels in order to identify the most suitable segments and understand how to tailor the product to particular markets/applications.
c) Perform technology assessment on a variety of end-users in order to evaluate societal impact.
d) Establish and initiate the university spin-off company governed by the developed business plan and supported by the defined manufacturing process and supply chain.
