Your Guide to Design to Market.
The design2market.mt platform provides a structured, stage-gated framework aligning product development with the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale to guide innovations from proof of concept to scalable manufacturing. The portal offers direct access to essential resources and outlines the clear entry and exit gates, ensuring projects fulfil the necessary technical benchmarks before advancing towards full commercialisation.
The design2market.mt platform is a joint initiative by the Valletta Design Cluster and I+A, developed through their collaboration, FiftySix Design Talks.
Latest Updates
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FiftySix Design Talks: Design to Market
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Test Post 3
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Test Post 2
What is the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale?
Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is a globally recognized metric that strips the guesswork out of product commercialisation by measuring exactly how mature your project is. We map this scale directly onto a clear, sequential Five-Stage Journey guiding you step-by-step from initial Idea, Research, and Development through to Deployment and Market launch. By identifying your precise TRL, you instantly unlock the specific intellectual property (IP) milestones, funding opportunities, and design resources needed to clear your current phase and confidently scale to the next.
The Five-Stage Journey
Whether you are an independent designer with a sketch on a napkin or an established studio with a working prototype, navigating the commercialisation path from initial concept to a retail-ready product can be incredibly complex. To strip away the guesswork, the Design2Market platform maps your progress directly onto a structured, sequential Five-Stage Journey that functions as a clear visual roadmap with precise entry and exit gates. Explore the sections below to expand each stage’s accordion, where you can use the targeted action buttons to instantly unlock critical intellectual property (IP) milestones, discover tailored national and EU funding trees, and map exactly which local prototyping tools and manufacturing directories you need to hit your next benchmark and confidently transition your project to the market.
Early concept and brainstorming.
IP Milestones: Template non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), confidentiality protocols, and strict documentation standards to protect the concept
Basic research and proof of concept.
IP Milestones: Guidance on conducting prior art searches.
Funding Landscape: A decision tree for national (e.g., Malta Enterprise) and EU funding programs, mapped to this specific stage.
Prototyping and technical refinement.
IP Milestones: Guidance on formal design registration and timing patent applications
Searchable Resource Directory: A map of equipment, workshop spaces, and prototyping tools available to designers including VDC, local partners specialising in sectors such as 3D printing, metalwork, electronics, textiles, including their capacity for prototyping versus mass production
Funding Landscape: A decision tree for national (e.g., Malta Enterprise) and EU funding programs, mapped to this specific stage.
Manufacturing and scaling.
IP Milestones: Examples of manufacturing agreements and guidance on licensing options
Final commercialization and enforcement.
IP Milestones: Guidance on enforcement mechanisms to protect the IP against
infringement
Support Hub
Even the most comprehensive digital tools cannot replace the value of real-world experience when navigating bureaucratic hurdles or scaling a product. The Design2Market Support Board bridges this gap by connecting you directly with a dedicated ecosystem of institutional leaders and experienced practitioner peers who serve as directional guides. Designed to ensure you find the right resources without hitting dead ends, this human hub is available to designers who have actively engaged with our framework’s tools. If you are ready to seek targeted, peer-to-peer or institutional guidance for your project, click the button below to complete the application form and connect with the board.