Innovation Competition (Boston, MA)
New online database for surplus laboratory supplies and resources
Concept or business name.
LaboraT-REX
What general market sector best fits your opportunity?
Research tools or services
Please describe the experience and role for key members of this opportunity.
This website for researchers will allow lab staff (PI’s, research associates, post-docs, grad students, and lab techs) at Universities to share surplus laboratory resources. Similar to Craigslist with a bit more sophistication, where only those with University ID's/URL accounts will have access and can list surplus items, claim items posted by others, and request items not yet listed.
Please describe the key problems your opportunity addresses, such as unmet customer needs, diseases, or other market needs.
More use of grant money by utilizing items they can get from another lab, allowing them to spend it on the latest equipment (that can be shared) or take on more staff.
Increase collaboration between researchers that would otherwise not collaborate.
Provide researchers access to specific tools/equipment that they may not otherwise be able to afford.
Decrease the amount of unused equipment gathering dust in the utilities cupboard, allowing for researchers/Institutions to regain some of the costs after an investigation is completed.
What is the size of the market opportunity addressed by your product or solution?
Industry statistics and Market size in the US (excluding Government entities, pharmaceuticals and manufacturers) is estimated at $134 BN in revenue, annual growth 08-13 of 3.8%.
*Scientific Research & Development Market Research Report | NAICS 54171 | Jul 2013
Describe your solution or technology and how it addresses the market needs presented above.
We will start with categories of research items that can be shared without violating any purchasing agreements or specific written permission has been granted to allow sharing (Animal Tissue, Restriction enzymes, and Equipment). These categories will contain a finite drop down list of approved items, such that no possible intellectual property/proprietary items can be listed. We will expand on the categories as we are able to support them. The Equipment section will have 3 choices: Equipment for sale, Equipment for trade/free (donate), and Equipment for Sharing.
What is unique about your solution from the technology, intellectual property or business strategy perspectives?
There is currently no available resources for global inter-institutional laboratory equipment that is available for trade/purchase/sale. This website would function as a secure database where researchers can locate tools/equipment needed for their investigations that is either local to them, within the same discipline, or available to borrow.
How well does your solution compete against other solutions in development and on the market?
Other available resources or databases of similar concept are limited to internal use within the Institution or just the Department itself. Our website would be a comprehensive resource of equipment available at various institutions, departments and laboratories on a global scale.
Describe your company funding status.
Pre-funding
Describe the key milestones for the opportunity and the challenges and risks associated with meeting these milestones.
Developing the website and database, acquiring research information including, but not limited to, available tools, University compliance, Departmental approval and involvement, and registered researchers (users).
Hire computer programmers/website developers, conduct market research, collaborate with Department heads and key Investigators to acquire a working list of equipment, schedule appointments with Institutional administration and funding agencies, and grassroots marketing.
What are your immediate needs that can be addressed by the BiotechTuesday community?
Funding, Corporate partnerships
Additional details on specific immediate needs, if necessary (e.g. Amount of funds required, etc.).
Current immediate needs are based on accessing information, meetings with key leaders, formulating an implementation structure and pursuing corporate partnerships.