| PRL 1 |
The Goal - and the roadmap |
Founders / FFF Round |
Proof of Market |
Define the needs (performance and cost)
Define the step, stretch and leap targets
Define the science and engineering challenges / key questions |
Assess the technology against the global challenges and where and how it can resonate with key goals.
Based on market engagement around the services needed, set the solution step, stretch and leap target and the expectations for a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) (characteristics aggressively tested with customers), as well as possible barriers to adoption.
Define the key scientific principles to demonstrate that the concept can work
Specify the engineering challenges to be overcome to meet the targets and the work involved
Identify fundamental barriers such as materials scarcity
Identify potential IP blocks |
These become the metrics for managing the product development programme as well as the investment flow required.
It also starts to identify what are the core proprietary building blocks (where you can capture IP and should invest) and what are the catalogue or partners' components and sub-systems (where you should look for partners) |
TRL 1
|
MRL 1 |
CRL 1 |
ERL 1 |
| TRL 2 |
CRL 2 |
| PRL 2 |
Concept viability / lab demonstration |
Start up / Pre-seed |
Proof of Concept |
Prove the science and key sub-systems
Confirm the roadmap to a commercially viable product. |
Key novel sub-systems / components demonstrated at a university or at the start up's lab
Performance modelling using robust data and analysis
Defined the current level of engineering risk
Basic picture of how the innovation will be manufactured established
Key partnerships necessary for product delivery identified
Costs identified for controlled environment prototype build
Relevant IP lodged |
|
TRL 3 |
| TRL 4 |
MRL 2 |
CRL 3 |
ERL 2 |
| PRL 3 |
Product Viability |
Seed |
Prototype |
A first prototype |
Whole system demonstrated in a controlled environment, i.e. proving ground or appropriate external test facility
Defined route to required performance but still significant engineering/design changes to come
Majority of manufacturing processes have been defined and characterised
Good handle on costs and risk register
Relevant new IP captured and lodged |
|
TRL 5 |
MRL 3 |
CRL 4 |
| PRL 4 |
Product in a Book / (Product defined) |
Development |
Multiple Trials |
Patents, designs and know-how codified so that the unit can be reproduced and if necessary, scaled |
Whole system close to final design tested in a representative environment (e.g. customer or simulated customer)
All of the building block technologies are shown to work at the required performance level using calibrated and certified measurement system
Manufacturing processes and supply chains capable of producing repeatable prototypes exist and a programme has been identified to work towards delivery of the product at the right price point and volume to meet business plan targets
Key partnerships secured |
|
TRL 6 |
MRL 4 |
CRL 5 |
ERL 3 |
| PRL 5 |
Minimum Viable Product (MVP) |
Revenue but Pre-profit |
Demand Pull |
The simplest product you can build that delivers customer value (even if niche)
Full commercial trials leading to first sales |
Overall product is shown to meet the specific technical performance targets as set by customer dialogue
Repeatable production / assembly process to lead to a low volume production line validated for quality, cost, and rate
Putting product into market to prove technology and capture real customer feedback (first adopters bought it, not simply been given it)
Roadmap to full (mainstream market) specification of functionality and cost |
|
TRL 7 |
MRL 5 |
CRL 6 |
ERL 4 |
| PRL 6 |
Factory in a Book (Volume Product sales commence) |
Growth |
Volume |
Codified knowledge on supplier requirements, assembly processes etc plus major preferred supplied "ready to go" into industrialisation to support growth sales |
The product meeting broader market expectation has been tested extensively to prove its durability to a point where servicing and warranty requirements can be met and product can be sold with transfer of title. Transition to volume manufacturing begins having confirmed its viability in detail |
|
TRL 8 |
MRL 6 |
CRL 7 |
ERL 5 |
| PRL 7 |
Portfolio |
Expansion |
Multiple Product or Applications |
Volume sales, multiple products / applications |
Design and manufacturing processes fully adopted enabling continuous improvement and cost reduction
Secondary products to be rapidly launched into early adopters |
|
TRL 9 |
MRL 7 |
CRL 8 |
| MRL 8 |
| MRL 9 |
.png)