Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/R018227/1
Commercialisation of lab-on-chip technology
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Dr A Beaton, NOC (Up to 31.10.2019), Science and Technology
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor M Mowlem, National Oceanography Centre, Science and Technology
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr P Wilkinson, National Oceanography Centre, Business Support Services
- Grant held at:
- NOC (Up to 31.10.2019), Science and Technology
- Science Area:
- Atmospheric
- Earth
- Freshwater
- Marine
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Unknown
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Global Change
- Natural Resource Management
- Pollution and Waste
- Science Topics:
- Survey & Monitoring
- Abstract:
- The LOC technology can remotely monitor water chemistry in situ in a range of extreme environments. The LOC technology is mature, at TRL level 8, and is attracting significant commercial interest from end-users and investors. We have active demonstrations with private end-uses in the oceanographic market and the Terrestrial Market. As a result, the technology is attracting significant commercial interest. The NOC held an open expression of interest call seeking commercial partners for the exploitation of the technology. The LOC technology received four proposals from oceanographic market focused private companies; Kongsberg GmbH, Sonardyne Ltd, Chelsea Technology Ltd, and T.E. Laboratories Ltd. However, the NOC commercialisation team feels these proposals inadequately addressed the terrestrial water testing market. The NOC has not yet committed the commercial model for the exploitation of the LOC technology but is considering a spinout venture with or without the partnership of an interested private company. The market assessment proposed herein will aid in this judgement and will aid in attracting private investment. Terrestrial course monitoring, wastewater monitoring, and monitoring of drinking water reservoirs are identified as potentially large markets. However, having initially developed the LOC technology for oceanographic applications, the NOC has limited knowledge of these other markets and requires independent verification of their size, the opportunities within them, and the current competitor landscape. This will focus on the UK, EU and US markets, but we will also seek comments on China, India and ODA eligible states. The commissioned work will consist of desk based study and telephone interview with key stakeholders and end users. The proposed work will establish the following: 1. Market size and growth a. What are the underlying trends in the market? b. What is the scale of the market size and how is it predicted to grow over the next three to five years? c. How does the market segment - for example by end-user segment, country, product type, etc? How are the segments predicted to grow or decline over the next three to five years? d. Where are the areas of growth and opportunity? 2. Current supplier analysis a. Who are the main competitors? What is their current direction? Do they pose a threat now or will they in the future? b. What are the competitor shares in the market? Are any competitors particularly important in any specific segments? c. How do they distribute, sell and promote - directly, through agents, through distributors, etc? 3. Gaps in the market a. What are the buyer needs in this market? b. How do they rate the current suppliers to the market? What do they see as the strengths and weaknesses of the competition? c. From the perspective of the buyers, what is missing in the market at the moment - where are the gaps? 4. Market opportunities and strategy a. What are the opportunities for entry and growth in the market? b. Where is the competition vulnerable? c. What additional products, services and benefits can be offered? d. What are the best routes to market - direct, via distributors or agents, through joint-ventures or acquisitions? e. Based on the discipline of market size and share, what sales levels could you achieve and in which segments?
- NERC Reference:
- NE/R018227/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Innovation
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Follow on Fund Pathfinder
This grant award has a total value of £16,264
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| DI - Other Costs | Indirect - Indirect Costs | DA - Estate Costs | DI - Staff |
|---|---|---|---|
| £14,718 | £446 | £287 | £813 |
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