The Innovation Valley of Death

The progression of innovative technologies can sometimes face a challenge known as the "Valley of Death." The funding gap can cause promising new products to halt in their development. Private and public funding differ in terms of investment stages, which can lead to a lack of funding at a critical point in the development process. While some private companies invest in cutting-edge R&D, public funding is primarily invested in fundamental science and engineering opportunities. However, after the proof of concept, the funding needed to scale innovation may not be invested, as the market is not large enough to make it profitable. This lack of funding can cause promising new products to die or progress much slower than before. Companies should be aware of their internal "Valley of Death" to ensure their innovations receive the necessary funding to be successful.