University of Algarve (CRIA) intern completes tech assessments during U.S. internship

15 Jun 2010

STTM welcomed Alexandra Marques to San Antonio, Texas. Alexandra also completed time-intensive assessments of Additive for Solefish Food. Her research changed TT practices at the University of Algarve.

Alexandra Marques of the University of Algarve’s TTO (CRIA) recently completed a two-month internship with Christine Burke at South Texas Technology Management. Alexandra also performed a technology and market assessment of Additive for Solefish Food. She worked with Cliff Zintgraff, UTEN Austin program manager, and conducted two steps.

First, a four- to eight-hour RapidScreen to assess categories of readiness related to the technology, technology team, institution, and market. RapidScreen evaluates both the technology and the infrastructure required to advance commercialization. Second, a 40- to 60-hour MarketLook assessment of the market size and opportunity with a focus on the U.S. market. MarketLook's goal is to uncover the market's voice with respect to the technology. By uncovering this voice, the TTO can work with the inventor to negotiate a license; form a spin-off; create research, development, and sales collaborations; and/or address shortcomings that are barriers to market acceptance. The MarketLook process uses as its main research method primary interviews (phone calls, in-person interviews, and email exchanges) with potential customers, end users, partners, and other expert validators in the technology’s target markets.

Cliff Zintgraff, UTEN Austin program Manager,
and Alexandra Marques, CRIA, University of Algarve.

The assessment process yielded a number of useful lessons.

RapidScreen

1. A good technology description and good Internet research can lead to strong initial primary interviews. The first interview was two degrees, or hops, from a deep expert in the field.
2. Corollary to #1 – university researchers make good first interviewees. They are willing to talk and share and can inform about industry possibilities.
3. Complex ownership arrangements involving multiple institutions should be documented in writing and readily accessible.

MarketLook

1. Good interviews can help you know rapidly if a market exists or not. We knew within three calls that there is no solefish industry in the U.S. However, we did learn of several flounder producers. The inventor told us that flounder could be positively affected by the additive.
2. Opinions can change radically with just one hop in the value chain. Aquaculture managers and fish behavior researchers immediately saw the potential value in the technology. Fish nutritionists saw the potential challenges!
3. The MarketLook process created two opportunities for collaboration, a confirmation that an assessment-oriented (as opposed to sales-oriented) process can lead to collaboration opportunities.

Impact on TTO Practices

As a result of this UTEN training, CRIA is implementing the following procedures in their operations.

1. Technology ranking and stages: CRIA is implementing a process to rank technologies and identify their stages of development. This process will be used to set priorities and identify appropriate next steps for priority technologies.
2. Central collection of analysis data: Processes will be defined such that technology analysis results in the central collection of analysis data for efficient execution of processes.
3. Clarify needs of research and industrial markets around UAlg technologies: UAlg will apply processes that rapidly expose the market interest in UAlg technologies. The processes will work to view the technology from the market’s perspective. The goal of the process is to see all options for a technology and develop alternatives that may go beyond initial researcher expectations and intent.
4. Identify specific potential collaborations: Beyond overall market understanding, processes will be defined to identify and pursue specific licensing and other opportunities for UAlg technologies.