Masterclass: How to build proofs of concept and prototypes that take your idea further?
A practical workshop on how to design pilots that matter.
Before investing more time and money in development, what do you need to prove?
Build → launch → test → scale. This familiar SaaS startup path is rarely that straightforward for hardware or deep tech ventures, where technologies may require years of R&D, specialised expertise and significant investment.
Testing helps you reduce uncertainty and build evidence for your next steps towards commercialisation. In this practical masterclass, you’ll identify what to prove next—and how you could test it.
In this workshop, we explore:
Why proof of concept and piloting matters?
What are different stages of commercialisation?
How to design a useful test for defining what to prove, how to test it and what evidence you need.
You will then work in a small breakout group to apply these ideas to your own case.
What will you leave with?
A clearer idea of what to prove next and how to test it, plus a half-page plan to guide your next steps.
Who is this workshop for?
Early-stage teams and students developing a hardware or deep tech business idea
Research to Business (R2B) teams and researchers interested in commercialisation
Anyone preparing a proof of concept, prototype or pilot
We use deep tech examples, but you don’t need to work in deep tech to join. Any kind of (startup) idea is good. Participants from Finland and elsewhere are welcome.
How to prepare?
Bring an idea, project or technology you’d like to develop further. No slides or prototype needed. If you don’t have your own case, you can join another participant’s discussion.
-----
The workshop draws on our experience helping early-stage and deep tech teams move towards funding, commercialisation and industry collaboration. It is organised as part of the pan-European Deep Tech Launchpad project.