EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The project within the course Business Planning has been commissioned by the inventor and founder of TFFI - The Foil For Innovation, Sebastian Mayer. He has developed a disruptive technology for multiple sectors, starting with simple lighting up to complex technical solutions for various problems. He has his technology patented across the globe, and it is still open in which fields it fits best.

Goal

On one hand, the goal was to find attractive application fields and companies within them so he can take the next steps with the diffusion of his technology. On the other hand, the aim was to identify possible solutions on how to overcome the Not-Invented-Here-Syndrome (NIHS), which turned out to be challenging in the past.

Methodology

The first step was to analyze the patents thoroughly with a user centric focus. Following that, different application fields were identified, through brainstorming sessions, an online survey and qualitative interviews from experts in the field of technological innovations, construction and lighting sector.
Afterwards, we filtered and specified two application fields as very attractive. Within this fields, analysis of the circumstances in the market with focus on potential companies who could use the disruptive technology of TFFI has been made. In the end, recommendations could be given and as for the NIHS, research has been conducted to find solutions to this
phenomenon and how to overcome it.

Results

38 different application fields were specifically identified. After that, the focus of the analysis went in the direction of displays on one hand, and on modular lighting systems on the other hand. Within these two segments, companies as well as their industries were analyzed and recommended to the inventor, all based on the research findings.

After intensive research of the Not-invented-here syndrome, it was derived, that especially innovative but also small and middle-sized companies tend to be less affected by the syndrome. Furthermore, underlined by the innovation diffusion theory by Rogers, it was identified, that it was most important to reach early adopters. These findings strongly influenced our recommendations.

Cooperation Partner

• TFFI – The Foil For Innovation

Contact Person

• Sebastian Mayer, founder and inventor - sebastian.mayer@penguin.vg

Student Team

• Johannes

• Peter

• Paula

Project Manager

• Tuong-Vi Sophie Quach, MA

• Dipl.-Kff. Tina Marie Monelyon