Discovering the Journey to Success of Research Productised Startups

Research productisation is a critical process that aims to transform innovative research outcomes into marketable products or services, bridging the gap between academia and commercialization. This study focuses on tracing the journey of four research-based startups and identifying the factors contributing to their success. Drawing on literature review and collaboration with the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) of IIIT Hyderabad, several hypotheses are formulated, including the impact of founders’ educational background, the reputation of the educational institute, the co-founding team’s network and experience, sources of support received, market understanding, and the involvement of stakeholders. Through interviews with startups, primary data is gathered and carefully analyzed, leading to interesting observations. Thirteen factors contributing to the success of research-based startups are identified, categorized into TTO and enabler support, Technology and Product, Market Validation, and Founder’s Background. Additionally, the study highlights the role of different stakeholders in the startup ecosystem and identifies distinct phases in the research productisation journey. While these phases may not always be sequential or present in every startup, they provide valuable insights into the overall process. This research provides valuable knowledge for promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and knowledge transfer from academia to industry, ultimately fostering successful research productisation.