Every idea has potential—but only when nurtured, tested, protected, and shared with the world. At Strathmore Research and Consultancy Centre (SRCC), we believe that great ideas live on as real products, services, startups, or policies that make a real impact.

In today’s fast-changing global economy, transforming an idea into a commercially viable product or service is no small feat for innovators and researchers. The journey from concept to market is filled with challenges — regulatory hurdles, funding gaps, unclear pathways to scaling, and a lack of strategic partnerships. Researchers may excel at discovery but struggle with understanding market needs, business models, or investor expectations.

Common barriers

Lack of market validation: Innovations that don’t align with real-world problems often struggle to find traction. They may fail to address actual customer needs or market demands. Without early validation through user feedback, pilot testing, or market analysis, even technically sound solutions can remain overlooked by investors and end-users alike.
Funding constraints: Early-stage funding and access to capital remain major obstacles for many innovators, as traditional financial institutions often view early-stage innovations as high-risk ventures with uncertain returns. This makes it difficult for researchers and startups to secure the necessary resources to develop prototypes, conduct trials, or scale their solutions without strong proof of concept or investor backing.
Regulatory and compliance hurdles: When innovators lack clarity on industry-specific standards, certifications, or legal requirements, it can lead to costly delays, fines, or failure to bring the product to market. Navigating these complexities without expert guidance often stifles progress and investor confidence.

How to Bridge the Gap

Validate your ideas with market needs: Conduct feasibility studies, customer interviews, and pilot tests to ensure there’s demand.
Build a strong business model: A compelling value proposition isn’t enough — you need a clear revenue model, cost structure, and go-to-market strategy.
Collaborate with experts: Connect with industry players and innovation hubs that offer guidance on intellectual properties, prototyping and scaling your innovation.
Explore funding, pitching, and go-to-market strategies: Seek grants, incubators, accelerators, angel investors, and government programs tailored for early-stage innovators.
Navigate regulatory pathways: Ensure compliance early in the development process to avoid costly delays later.

Partner with SRCC for Research Commercialization

At the SRCC, we specialize in helping researchers and innovators bridge the gap between discovery and commercial viability. Our research commercialization services include, but are not limited to, the following: