AAL2Business Lean Startup Academy: a roadmap to market success
The last Lean Startup Academy (LSA) session, organized by AAL2Business has recently provided to 12 people, representing 8 AAL projects a valuable opportunity to validate their business model and increase their commercial traction.
The AAL2Business Lean Startup Academy is a 4-month course dedicated to AAL projects that have just started out or are at the mid-term of their implementation. The Academy is composed of 3 workshops and individual online coaching sessions lasting up to 8 hours each.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic the last Academy was held online from September to December 2020. AAL projects ensured the exploitation of their results and the implementation of their technological readiness level (TRL).
Moreover, in view of a commercialization of their results and to address potential risks, individual coaching sessions were delivered to support the projects in defining and fine-tuning the lean canvas and the value proposition canvas. The projects involved, had the chance to further investigate strategies concerning funding opportunities and how to access the best source of capital.
The Academy also gave to participants a basic overview on IP fundamentals with a focus on patents, utility models, design, trademarks, trade secrets, copyright and IP management; complexities and challenges usually faced by technological projects.
The analysis of a case study, has been a remarkable novelty from the previous LSA edition: a practical exercise, based on company specialized in 3D smart sensor technology and artificial intelligence for the health and care sector with application modules for fall detection and prevention, safety and dementia. Therefore, participants had the chance to work together and define a real Lean and Value proposition Canvas.
Meet the participants!
We asked to some of the participants to tell about their experiences:
Idoia Muñoz Lizán, (Eskilara) fromthe project ReMember-Mestated that “thanks to LSA,we have been able to identify our customers and the most effective exploitation targeted on them”. It has been an important step for the project ReMember-me helping to further work on designing a smart system to address the prevention and detection of cognitive decline promoting social inclusion among older adults.
Juan Mario Recumberri, (Iniciativa Social Integral per al Benestar) represented the project Breath, which provides innovative solutions for complementary care. Juan defined the LSA as “a great experience that gave us the opportunity to learn new tools to apply to our business model. He added: “We appreciated a lot the workshop and its organization, which allowed us to have a better understanding of what we want to do and how we want to do it. “
Christoph Stahl, (List) from LIFANA project, aimingto help seniors keep their BMI ( Body Max Index) stable and follow nutritional guidelines through a prototype added that “the LSA was very helpful to develop a business plan specifically for the IP developed at LIST. I learned how to apply the lean canvas and value proposition canvas methods. Practical exercises and coaching sessions helped me a lot to understand how both are connected and to apply them correctly to my project.
The AAL2Business Academy, was also helpful to develop a new business plan specifically for the IP developed at LIST. I recommend this activity to any AAL project to maximise its impact, ideally in the very beginning to make sure the solution developed has a chance of commercialisation and impact. It will for sure be helpful with future projects as well to consider the commercialisation options from the beginning”.
All of these positive feedbacks underline the benefits of the Lean Startup Academy organized by AAl2Business. A concrete example of knowledge sharing, improvements and a source of new opportunities for projects involved.
Drawing on Christoph Stahl words, we can strongly recommend the LSA experience to any AAL projects: a chance to maximize impact and a key to give to the solutions a great boost toward commercialization.
The Lean Academy is one of the many activities and educational courses available to AAL project participants. Are you interested in learning more about the potential opportunities for your project? Visit the AAL2BUSINESS website to get more info at https://www.aal2business.com/