Commercialization
VIASPACE supplies green energy and clean technology products. ViaSpace tapped its vast network of think tanks and technology development centers to identify emerging intellectual property in the green and clean sectors. One of those technologies, emanating from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab and the University of Southern California, was a direct methanol fuel cell, an efficient fuel cell that converts methanol into electricity without toxic emissions. The Direct Methanol Fuel Cell is now used to power notebook computers, mobile phones, military equipment, and other applications. The challenges that had to be evaluated were:
 

• Was the technology suitable for market applications
• Determine technology feasibility for commercialization

Key Strategies & Tactics

• QM’s responsibilities for the project included:
• Conducted market analysis, commercialization analysis and feasibility analysis
• Determine the potential markets for a direct methanol fuel cell
• Create financial models to project market size and attractiveness
• Assess the readiness of the technology for suitable markets
• Determine R&D required for a commercial product
• Built financial and business models
• Conducted primary and secondary research; engaged potential partners
• Created investor relations/ partner presentation materials

Key Strategies & Tactics

• Identified the markets that would benefit from fuel cell technology and identified the research and development required to create a commercial product
• VIASPACE continued the DMFC project and now has OEM clients such as Samsung and Toshiba among others

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