6 steps to realize an innovation in a shorter time

A common challenge for product development companies and innovators seems to be that the process should move quickly from idea to industrialized product. How challenging this is can of course vary depending on the contacts and the structure of the company. In some cases, there is production in-house. But if you start from 0, how can you go about realizing and speeding up the process?

1. Make a problem statement of the need and a specification of requirements. At the same time, compile an analysis – how is the problem solved today? What is new and unique about your idea, how does it fill a gap?
2. Sign a privacy agreement. If you present your idea or talk about it, it is important that you ensure that the party you are addressing is treating your idea confidentially. Contract proposals can be found on the Swedish Inventors’ Association’s website and they can offer further help with this. Also read about patents, design protection, trademarks, copyrights.
3. Establish a contact network. Seek out actors and business angels who can help you move forward faster. Examples are Connect Sweden, Future Mobility Center, SVCA, Angel Investment & My Capital. Attend events to network.
4. Build a prototype. Whether you are offering the customer a brand new product that needs to be built or a service, it is important to make a prototype and see that it works. Take help of companies that can help you develop the prototype rapidly, for example Proto Electronics.
5. Commercialize smartly. You will be asked early on whether you should commercialize your product yourself, or whether you should sell your idea to another company when you have received sufficient intellectual property protection. Maybe you should let a company help you with the last details? For example, services from companies such as Techno Creatives can benefit.
6. Industrialize even smarter. A not entirely uncommon scenario in product development projects is that the main focus has been on developing a prototype to verify the product concept. Then, when it comes to getting the product out on the market, other problems arise. Examine early testable properties, legal requirements and standards that can be applied.