commercialization

When a scientist starts thinking about bringing their research results to the market, the first question shouldn’t be “Who will buy it?” but rather “How ready is my technology?” — and that’s where the Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) scale becomes an essential tool.

What is TRL?

TRL helps you assess how mature your technology is — from the initial concept to market readiness.
The scale includes 10 levels (from 0 to 9), divided into three main stages:

• Idea (TRL 0–3): Concept formation, identifying needs, and proving feasibility.
• Prototype (TRL 4–5): Developing and testing prototypes in the lab or in relevant environments.
• Validation & Production (TRL 6–9): Validating the technology in real-world conditions, pilot-scale operation, and preparing for full-scale production.

Example:
If you’re developing a new CO₂-absorbing material, at TRL 2 you may only have a theoretical model and chemical formulation. Once you’ve synthesized and tested it successfully in the lab, you’re at TRL 4. When that material is tested in an actual production line, you’ve reached TRL 7–8.

Why TRL Matters

TRL not only helps you understand your technology’s maturity but also allows you to communicate more effectively with key stakeholders:

• Speak the same language with investors, enterprises, and funding agencies. They need to know which stage you’re in to assess risk and funding needs.
• Develop a clear roadmap. From basic research (TRL 1–2) to production readiness (TRL 8–9), you’ll know what steps come next — more testing, certification, partnership, or scaling up.
• Align expectations and resources. Not every technology needs to jump to higher TRLs right away — taking steady, well-planned steps often gets you to market faster.

Combining TRL with the Lean Startup Mindset

We encourage scientists to apply the Lean Startup mindset — Build–Measure–Learn — alongside TRL to accelerate commercialization:

1. Build:
At every TRL level, create a “mini version” of your technology — a prototype, model, or simulation.
→ Example: A battery research team builds a small demo so manufacturers can test integration into real products.

2. Measure:
Collect feedback from users, companies, or technical experts — not only technical data but also economic and operational factors.
→ This feedback is the “raw material” to determine whether your technology truly solves a market problem.

3. Learn:
Use the insights gathered to refine your technology, process, or even pivot your approach to better fit market needs.
→ Each iteration brings you closer to the next TRL — and closer to real users.

From Lab to Market – More Than Just Technology

Commercializing technology is not simply about “selling” — it’s about shifting your mindset from “research for knowledge” to “research for impact.”
With TRL, you can clearly see where you are, what’s needed to move forward, and when it’s time to listen to the market.

KisStartup’s Advice

• Evaluate your technology’s TRL today.
• Share your results with colleagues, mentors, or potential business partners to discuss next steps.
• Every cycle of testing – measuring – learning not only raises your TRL but also shortens the distance between research and market.

KisStartup accompanies scientists in their journey toward technology commercialization — from TRL assessment and business model testing to connecting with investors and enterprises at home and abroad.

Detailed TRL Framework introduced by CloudWatchHub >>Link
Level 0 – IDEA : Concept not yet proven, no testing conducted.
Level 1 – BASIC RESEARCH:  The need is identified but lacks evidence or validation.
Level 2 – TECHNOLOGY FORMULATION :  Concepts and potential applications are defined.
Level 3 – NEEDS VALIDATION :  Early “product” concept validated by key stakeholders.
Level 4 – SMALL-SCALE PROTOTYPE :  Built in laboratory conditions (“rough” prototype).
Level 5 – LARGE-SCALE PROTOTYPE:   Tested in relevant, intended environments.
Level 6 – PROTOTYPE SYSTEM:   Tested under operational conditions with near-expected performance.
Level 7 – DEMONSTRATION SYSTEM:   Operated in real-world settings at pilot scale.
Level 8 – FIRST-OF-A-KIND COMMERCIAL SYSTEM:   All systems and processes ready to support commercial operations.
Level 9 – FULL COMMERCIAL APPLICATION:   Fully ready and available for broad commercial use.Introduced by KisStartup

© Copyright belongs to KisStartup. Any form of copying, quoting, or reuse must include proper attribution to the author and KisStartup as the source.

On October 3, 2025, Ms. Nguyễn Đặng Tuấn Minh – CEO of KisStartup JSC – delivered a presentation titled “Building and Connecting an Ecosystem for Commercialization,” sharing both international experiences and practical lessons from Vietnam.

In line with Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024 of the Politburo on the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, as well as the National Innovation Day (October 1 each year) under Official Dispatch No. 4652/BKHCN-ĐMST dated September 14, 2025 from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) organized the conference “Promoting Innovation and Technology Commercialization: Connecting Institutes – Universities – Enterprises for Sustainable Development.”

Open Innovation Model: Lessons from Collaboration with Mitsui Chemicals

Ms. Tuấn Minh introduced the Open Innovation model that KisStartup has co-implemented with Mitsui Chemicals (Japan) in Vietnam. A key feature of this model is that the corporation publicly discloses its core technologies—ranging from thermoplastic resins resistant to abrasion, staining, and gas permeability/barrier, to polyolefin additives such as slip agents and viscosity control materials—and calls for co-invention and new applications.

Instead of merely seeking “customers,” Mitsui Chemicals seeks technology partners to jointly turn technology into market-ready products and solutions.
This creates a trust-based and transparent mechanism, ensuring that scientists and startups no longer fear their “ideas being taken,” but rather see real opportunities to engage in long-term collaboration with a major corporation.

Impact and Opportunities for Collaboration

• For Mitsui Chemicals: expands innovation space, identifies new applications for existing technologies, and connects directly with practical needs in Vietnam.

• For scientists and startups: access to cutting-edge global technologies, opportunities for co-creation, testing, and commercialization within a large corporate environment.

• For Vietnamese enterprises: reduced R&D costs, access to suitable solutions, and opportunities to enter global supply chains

 SME Needs: The R&D Outsourcing Model

Ms. Tuấn Minh also emphasized the urgent needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the context of the dual transition—digitalization and greening. One practical solution is the R&D outsourcing model:

• Enables SMEs to access multi-disciplinary expertise and advanced technologies not readily available in-house.

• Reduces costs for infrastructure, equipment, and internal staff.

• Accelerates product development and shortens time-to-market.

• Provides flexibility when R&D needs change, minimizing risks of long-term investments.

Commercialization Hub: KisStartup’s Open Incubator

To make this concrete, KisStartup is establishing a commercialization hub within its current network, functioning as an “open commercialization incubator”:

1. Collect issues and needs from enterprises.

2. Connect with ready-to-transfer technologies.

3. Support testing, validation, and refinement.

4. Deliver practical solutions for enterprises, market outputs for scientists, and sustainable products for communities.

This approach has already been tested in KisStartup’s programs such as IDAP (Inclusive Digital Acceleration Program) and LIF Global, serving not only digital transformation but also as a launchpad for impactful technology commercialization.

The process is implemented in an iterative loop: Problem Identification → Experimentation → Adjustment → Commercialization, engaging multiple stakeholders: institutes, universities, enterprises, and startups.

Conclusion

The CEO of KisStartup underscored the critical role of connecting the technology commercialization ecosystem in advancing the implementation of Resolution 57-NQ/TW and in celebrating the National Innovation Day.

When institutes – universities – enterprises – startups collaborate within a transparent and trust-based framework, Vietnam can leverage cutting-edge global technologies, address real-world challenges, and simultaneously create sustainable products and solutions—ultimately strengthening national innovation capacity.

Ten years of working with startups, universities, and businesses have given us a clearer view of the gap between smart technological ideas and meeting real-world needs. We have witnessed the struggles and uncertainties of scientists along this path.

Through technology-scouting projects for corporations and enterprises, we identified a key issue: although Vietnamese scientists possess strong research foundations and the ability to develop advanced technologies, the commercialization of these technologies into practical market-ready products often lacks the right orientation. The main reason lies in limited experience applying technology to production, building viable business strategies, and understanding customer needs. These are essential factors in turning research into useful solutions that can compete with existing products.

The core issue is the lack of connection.

Within Vietnam’s startup ecosystem, KisStartup believes innovation struggles to thrive when confined to narrow frameworks without strong community linkages. The world is facing major environmental, economic, and social challenges, and solutions cannot come from a single country or region alone. Connecting with and learning from global technology hubs and innovation platforms is critical to enable Vietnamese researchers to access advanced methods, technologies, and models. This, in turn, helps refine and expand their solutions, effectively addressing local problems while gradually creating opportunities for Vietnamese technologies to reach international markets with shared characteristics.

LIF Global: Why We Became the National Partner of the Royal Academy of Engineering

We chose to join the Leaders in Innovation Fellowships (LIF) program for three main reasons:

• The program functions like a comprehensive commercialization accelerator, enabling scientists to fully focus on developing their ideas.

• The Royal Academy of Engineering’s network opens doors to experts, investors, and leading policymakers.

• With over 1,500 alumni worldwide, LIF offers a global community and ecosystem that, if leveraged, provides powerful mutual support.

What impressed us most is LIF Global’s emphasis on developing scientists’ business mindset and entrepreneurial skills, guiding them to find pathways for technical solutions to address real-world challenges. When learning about UK innovations in sustainable production and circular economy models, we saw their potential application for Vietnam’s small and medium enterprises—a business segment common across developing countries.

The program also encourages women’s participation, aligning with our philosophy of inclusive innovation. We believe diversity of perspectives leads to more effective and creative solutions.

Lessons from LIF Global 2025

In 2025, ten Vietnamese projects were selected for LIF Global, and seven scientists successfully completed training in the UK. This result demonstrates the systemic potential of international collaboration that we have been building.

Upon returning to Vietnam, these scientists brought not only technical expertise but also new methods, fresh perspectives, and essential networks. These resources will help them implement and refine projects locally, delivering real-world impact.

However, successful technology transfer still requires deep understanding of local contexts. While UK approaches are effective, applying them in Vietnam demands knowledge of customer needs, legal frameworks, and cultural factors. This is where KisStartup’s long-standing experience becomes the key to bridging international innovations with local realities.

These seven scientists have become ambassadors of Vietnam’s innovation capacity, not only for their own projects but also for the broader research community. Their stories create ripple effects, inspiring more researchers to pursue international collaboration opportunities.

That is why continuing to support LIF Global 2026 is a long-term strategy for KisStartup, built on our deep understanding of the innovation ecosystem. We believe sustainable social impact comes not just from funding projects, but from equipping scientists with professional capacity and deep strategic thinking.

KisStartup recognizes that the journey of innovation does not end with initial achievements. Therefore, we are committed to supporting projects during and even after the program—helping refine business models, craft market-entry strategies, and ensure that innovations not only bloom but grow sustainably. This is our promise to Vietnam’s scientific community: to stand alongside them not only at the starting line of entrepreneurship but throughout their long journey of building the future.

In 2021, Ms. Nguyen Đang Tuan Minh, Founder of KisStartup, was a member of LIF7 and a direct beneficiary of the program. Four years later, KisStartup has used its resources to fund and implement one of the world’s most prestigious commercialization programs. This is not only proof of our ecosystem-connecting capacity but also a statement of our commitment to proactively advancing the international commercialization of Vietnam’s research. With the ambition of bringing Vietnamese technology and intelligence beyond national borders, KisStartup will continue striving so that more global markets carry the imprint of Vietnam—using technology to tackle grand global challenges and contribute to the development of society at large.

KisStartup is proud to become the in country partner of the Royal Academy of Engineering for the LIF Global program in 2025.

KisStartup is pleased to announce that in 2024-2025, we have officially become the national partner of the Royal Academy of Engineering for the Leaders in Innovation Fellowships (LIF) Global program. LIF Global is a unique program focused on building relationships and business development for innovators who are in the process of developing business propositions for their innovations.

The LIF Global program brings together innovators from emerging economies worldwide, offering them opportunities for training, mentoring, and international connections, both online and in the UK. The program aims to foster entrepreneurship, create new jobs, and address social, environmental, and economic challenges through technical innovation. At the same time, the program also strengthens local ecosystems, supports domestic and international collaboration, and contributes to the commercialization of innovative initiatives.

As the national partner, KisStartup is committed to playing a crucial role in bridging the gap for Vietnamese scientists, assisting in the commercialization of research outcomes, and strengthening connections with the UK. We believe that through this program, Vietnam's scientific, research, and innovation talents will have the opportunity to reach the global stage while also deepening ties between Vietnam and the UK.

The LIF Global program consists of three main pillars:

• Personal Needs Analysis and Goal Setting: LIF Global is tailored to meet the needs of each individual, supporting them in identifying their path to development and commercial growth.
• Ecosystem Integration: The program expands and diversifies participants' networks within academic and private sectors, creating deeper connections with their local economies.
• Group Formation and Development: Participants will receive on-demand, personalized support and benefit from shared relationships and experiences with their LIF peers.

In this role, we will:

• Execute the main activities of the program in Vietnam
• Promote the program
• Receive applications and conduct the first-round selection for the program
• Organize program activities in Vietnam
• Support the development of the network in Vietnam before, during, and after the program

KisStartup is honored to collaborate with the LIF Global program and looks forward to contributing to the development of Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem on the global stage.

To stay updated on the program, application deadlines, and participation guidelines, please follow KisStartup's website or our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563823165084

To apply for LIF Global 2025: https://raeng.org.uk/programmes-and-prizes/programmes/international-prog...

We would like to introduce KisStartup's main activities and projects in 2024, to help businesses and partners keep track of KisStartup's main projects and activities.

The projects are based on our core competencies of capacity building through training, coaching, and networking with a focus on innovation and digital transformation.

The main projects we will implement include:

1. Innovating business models and promoting exports according to Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS)
   • KisStartup will support businesses in innovating their business models to meet voluntary sustainability standards.
     Encourage and support businesses to apply VSS to enhance productivity, product quality, and export opportunities.
2. Promoting Vietnam-Canada Exports (KisEXIM) for impactful products and technologies
   • ​​KisStartup will focus on expanding export markets for products and technologies that bring positive impact.
     Build and strengthen business relationships between Vietnamese and Canadian businesses through support and trade programs.
3. Commercialization of Research Results (iRnD) - Technology commercialization and technology transfer, connection with businesses
   • KisStartup will promote the commercialization of research results by creating connection opportunities between research and businesses.
   • Support businesses in the process of technology transfer and promote cooperation between relevant parties.KisStartup will promote the commercialization of research results by creating connection opportunities between research and businesses.
     Support businesses in the process of technology transfer and promote cooperation between relevant parties.
4. Digital transformation and business model innovation
   • KisStartup will help businesses adapt to digital transformation trends, from using new technology to redesigning business models. 
   • Support training and digital capacity building for businesses.
5. Nurturing young talents to develop innovative start-up projects- Triangel
   • KisStartup will invest in nurturing and developing young talent through training and support programs.
   • Encourage and facilitate creativity and entrepreneurship in the young community.
6. Angel investor challenge - KisStartup Innovation Startup Fund
   • KisStartup will organize an angel investor challenge to find and support startup projects with great potential.
   • The Startup Fund will provide financial resources and strategic support to selected projects.

These projects will continue to strongly promote innovation in businesses, helping businesses and scientists bring good products to the Vietnamese and global markets. We look forward to strong cooperation with domestic and foreign partners in 2024.

 

 

On April 18th 2023, KisStartup and Mitsui Chemicals R&D officially launched the "Mitsui Chemicals R&D Collaboration Reward" project. The project aims to find research results from universities, research institutes from private companies, and enterprises in Vietnam to cooperate with Mitsui and promote commercialization.

In addition, KisStartup also shared some difficulties, opportunities, and the current situation in the Vietnamese ecosystem. We discussed the project's goals, directions, and plans together, and planned for the next steps.

Below are the fields that Mitsui Chemicals R&D is interested in:

Area 1: Medical devices

- In vitro diagnostic devices

- The integration of medical devices with Robot/Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions enables the provision of advanced medical care, including the analysis of medical images and improved diagnoses.

-The use of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies provides support for surgical training

Area 2: Agrochemical

-Biocontrol agricultural agents derived from fungi and bacteria are an effective means of controlling pests and insect disease vectors in agriculture.

-Herb tech

Area 3: Nutrition

-Functional food, protein substitutes, and probiotics for humans and animals

-Cultured meat technology, including the use of micro-carriers in cell culture

Area 4: Basic & Green Materials (Carbon Neutral)

-Green materials/ technologies such as biomass, biogas, cellulose, algae that can be a renewable fuel source.

-Sustainable solutions such as membrane technology for CO2, H2 production or water purification

Here is some information about us:

-Mitsui Chemicals was established in 1997 with 161 affiliated companies and nearly 19,000 employees. With Paid-in Capital up to 125 billion JPY, Mitsui Chemicals is fulfilling its mission of contributing widely to society by providing high-quality products and services to customers through material innovation and creativity, while maintaining harmony with the global environment.

-KisStartup was founded in 2015 with a mission to accompany the startup community in enhancing their innovative and creative capabilities, supporting innovative and effective business transformation, and bringing practical benefits to the community. We have been working in the Vietnamese startup ecosystem for 8 years with a tight network of universities and research institutes, as well as providing training to over 500 lecturers from universities across the country on entrepreneurship and innovation. 

We hope that this project will open up opportunities and prospects for promoting commercialization in Vietnam.