*By Ary Silveira Bueno
TRLs or Technology Maturity Levels are a widely used rating scale to measure the degree of maturity of a technology, from the conception phase to commercialization. This scale, which ranges from 1 to 9, is often used to assess the stage of development of startup technologies, especially in highly innovative sectors such as aerospace, biotechnology, energy, and others. Let's take a quick look at each of them:
Application of TRLs to startups
• Initial TRLs (1-3): Early research and development phase, where startups are testing concepts and trying to validate their ideas. Startups in incubators and research centers are usually at these levels.
• Intermediate TRLs (4-6): prototype development and testing phase in simulated environments. Startups in these phases are developing MVPs (Minimum Viable Products) and are seeking seed or venture capital investment.
• Advanced TRLs (7-9): operational testing and commercialization phase. Startups at this stage are usually ready for scalability, with mature products, and are seeking market expansion.
You TRLs help investors, researchers and stakeholders understand what stage a startup’s technology is at and the degree of risk involved in its development. This metric is widely used by government agencies and innovation promotion organizations.
It should be noted that even TRL 9 startups may not yet be generating invoices (billing).
The nine levels of TRLs – Technology Readiness Levels
Here are the nine levels of TRLs and what they mean in terms of developing a technology and/or product:
TRL 1 – Basic principles observed and reported
• The research is at an early stage, and fundamental principles are being explored.
• There is no practical development yet, it is just the formulation of the idea or concept.
TRL 2 – Formulation of the technological concept
• The concept or application of the technology is being formulated.
• Research is more focused, and the potential of the idea is described, but there is still no concrete model.
TRL 3 – Experimental Proof of Concept
• The technology concept has already been validated by experiments and laboratory studies.
• Small tests are carried out to verify the viability of the concept in a controlled environment.
TRL 4 – Validation of component or system in a laboratory environment
• Basic prototypes are developed and tested in a laboratory environment to validate the functioning of the main components.
• The technology is still in a controlled development phase.
TRL 5 – Validation of component or system in relevant environment
• The technology prototype is tested under conditions that simulate its real use.
• The environment is already starting to be closer to reality, although it is still controlled.
TRL 6 – Prototype demonstration in a relevant environment
• Functional prototypes are developed and tested in a relevant operational environment, i.e. closer to final use.
• The focus is on practical demonstration of the technology on a relevant scale.
TRL 7 – System demonstration in an operational environment
• The complete system is tested in a real, operational environment.
• The technology is almost ready for the market, with only final adjustments remaining.
TRL 8 – Complete and qualified system
• The technology is already fully developed and has passed all necessary tests.
• There is proof that the product works in a real environment, ready to be launched commercially.
TRL 9 – System proven in operational and commercialized environment
• The technology is fully available for commercial use.
• The startup can now market the product, and the focus now is to scale the operation and seek incremental improvements.
I hope this content is useful for your company and your innovation projects.
*Ary Silveira Bueno, Founder and Director of ASPR, Vice-President of the Instituto Brasil Digital
Notice: The opinion presented in this article is the responsibility of its author and not of ABES - Brazilian Association of Software Companies
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