Emerging Technology Non-Market Factor Analysis Class Project Reports

In this project-based class, students develop non-market strategies at the intersection of new technologies, public policies, and business for real-world clients. This webpage provides the proposed strategies developed by Carnegie Mellon University students, primarily at the graduate level, to their clients.

Entrepreneurs and innovators interested in commercializing technology in the biomedical, energy, transportation, information technology, robotics, aerospace, food, healthcare, and other industries require more than knowing whether a technology works and the potential market.

Non-market factors such as regulations, standards, and grants influence product, price, location, research, development, and testing, and other decisions. As a result, public policies provide both opportunities and challenges for the commercialization of an invention. Only by recognizing these opportunities or overcoming these challenges can an invention become a commercialized innovation.

Examples of opportunities include identifying the need for a new product or process as a result of a government-encouraged technological goal or regulation as well as the potential for Federal, state, or local governments to provide needed startup funds or as a possible early market for a new innovation. Challenges include the need to address product-related issues such as environmental, health, and safety concerns; field testing; and manufacturing. In some cases, an agency must approve a product before it can enter the marketplace. Issues such as standards, patents, trademarks, copyright, open standard, open source, and reimbursement policies provide both opportunities and challenges to the entrepreneur or innovator and a non-market strategy is needed to address them.

Throughout this process, innovators may need to interface with policymakers to obtain the optimal benefit. In sum, moving a new technology from invention from discovery to launch requires an innovation public policy strategy.

For questions about these reports, contact Dr. Deborah D. Stine, Professor of the Practice, Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University at dstine@andrew.cmu.edu.

Student Project Reports – Spring 2016

Identified Technologies - Aerial Surveillance Drone

Maven Machines - Truck Driver Headset Safety Device

Transit Source - Bicycle Sensor for Car Proximity

Student Project Reports – Spring 2015

Carnegie Mellon University Acid Mine Drainage Cleanup Technology

Optimus Technologies: Biodiesel Trucks

Enduring Hydro: Adding Hydropower to Existing Dams

Student Project Reports – Spring 2014

Carnegie Mellon University’s Autonomous Car

Edible Electronics: A New Trend of Medical Device

Surtrac: Intelligent Traffic Control