Reference-phase Model for the Transfer Process of Deep Tech Innovations

Abstract

The term Deep Tech is receiving major attention from start-ups, venture capitalists, and governmental decision makers as this special group of technology does have a strong impact on societies and national innovation systems. In European countries, commercialization and industrialization of Deep Tech-related products lacks behind in international comparison. Nevertheless, academic research about the reasons and circumstances in this field is scarce. To fill this gap in research, a comprehensive Deep Tech transfer reference-phase model is developed based on the current state of knowledge that incorporates the entirety of the technology transfer process from science to industry. Taking Deep Tech characteristics into account, four reference phases are set up and described along three descriptive characteristics (TRL, focus, target state) and four requirement categories (knowledge, resources and infrastructure, financial requirements, actors in focus). The analysis and synthesis show that the requirements within the single phases do highly change due to an adapted focus and target state over the technology transfer process. With the present work, a sound understanding of the technology transfer process for Deep Tech is established which enables future researchers to derive phase-specific key success factors and valid governmental recommendations for the technology transfer of Deep Tech.