Technology acquisition
and partner selection

Select and acquire the most suitable technology and partner for your organisation using a robust IfM evaluation framework.

Technology can be acquired in a variety of ways and the associated levels of investment can be significant. Key considerations include financial resource and the time required to build consensus between various stakeholders on the right path forwards.

Despite the levels of investment required, many companies lack a formal and objective process for technology acquisition. This can lead to costly mistakes in finding the right technology and the appropriate partner.

“We often heard of situations in which parties started negotiating without a clear idea of the objectives they wanted to achieve. Those involved felt that in such circumstances they could not ‘think freely’ and were liable to take impulsive decisions based on emotional rather than objective criteria.”

Extract from the Technology Acquisitions and Partnerships report

Technology acquisitions and partnerships report

HOW WE CAN HELP

Our approach to technology acquisition is based on a robust IfM evaluation framework which has been developed in partnership with industry.
It supports you in making more considered and confident technology decisions.

  • A consideration of ‘hidden’ risks from the outset, so you can adjust any partnership approach to mitigate for them.
  • Clarity over the capabilities your organisation needs to deliver value from the new technology, enabling you to account for them ahead of any partnership.
  • Ensure that the ownership model for the technology aligns with how you hope to exploit it.
  • Clarity and transparency around how partners have been selected through an objective evaluation, which can be communicated effectively to key stakeholders.
  • Greater trust between you and potential partners by having a robust overview of a potential acquisition.

HOW WE CAN HELP

Our approach to technology acquisition is based on a robust IfM evaluation framework which has been developed in partnership with industry. It supports you in making more considered and confident technology decisions.

  • A consideration of ‘hidden’ risks from the outset, so you can adjust any partnership approach to mitigate for them.
  • Clarity over the capabilities your organisation needs to deliver value from the new technology, enabling you to account for them ahead of any partnership.
  • Ensure that the ownership model for the technology aligns with how you hope to exploit it.
  • Clarity and transparency around how partners have been selected through an objective evaluation, which can be communicated effectively to key stakeholders.
  • Greater trust between you and potential partners by having a robust overview of a potential acquisition.

OUR APPROACH

We follow a rigorous IfM methodology which has been tried and tested for organisations looking to acquire technology. We adapt this methodology to suite your specific organisational context and desired outcomes, but broadly it follows three stages:

Stage 1: Acquisition context
At this stage, we support organisations in defining a detailed framework for an acquisition, including the motives, the different types of partners that could be involved, the desired technology readiness level and an overview of the most likely technology acquisition scenarios.

This ‘pre-work’ is vital to bring clarity and consensus to the scope so that stakeholders are aligned in defining positive outcomes. This stage helps ensure that costly mistakes are less likely post acquisition.

Stage 2: Acquisition evaluation
Is technology acquisition a good match? At this stage we work with organisations to evaluate the match between technology capabilities and market opportunities. We also assess the capability of the firm to absorb and make good use of the technologies that other firms are developing.

Stage 3: Acquisition options
At this stage, we evaluate the options based on a range of considerations including future technological development, exploitation routes, protection strategies, the type of contract governing the relationship and the transaction ‘currency’.

The technology partner and acquisition process

TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITIONS REPORT

To find out more about our approach, download the report Technology acquisitions: A guided approach to technology acquisition and protection decisions.

ENGAGE WITH US

Strategic Technology &
Innovation Management
Consortium (STIM)

STIM is a vibrant network of industrial member companies and researchers who share best practice and develop practical solutions to current and emerging technology and innovation management challenges.

The Consortium’s goal is to build a sustainable collaborative research-practice network delivering benefits to both industrial and academic communities.

Consultancy
services

Our global network of technology acquisition experts combine the latest insights with senior level industry experience. We take a collaborative approach and understand our client’s individual objectives and draw from research, world class tools and industrial knowledge to empower impactful decisions and action.

Talent and capability
development

Through our open and bespoke courses, individuals and teams can advance their technology acquisition knowledge and skills in practice.

ENGAGE WITH US

Strategic Technology & Innovation Management Consortium (STIM)

STIM is a vibrant network of industrial member companies and researchers who share best practice and develop practical solutions to current and emerging technology and innovation management challenges.

The Consortium’s goal is to build a sustainable collaborative research-practice network delivering benefits to both industrial and academic communities.

Consultancy services

Consultancy services

Our global network of technology acquisition experts combine the latest insights with senior level industry experience. We take a collaborative approach and understand our client’s individual objectives and draw from research, world class tools and industrial knowledge to empower impactful decisions and action.

Talent capability development

Talent and capability development

Through our open and bespoke courses, individuals and teams can advance their technology acquisition knowledge and skills in practice.

HOW THIS SOLUTION WAS DEVELOPED

The IfM’s Technology Partner Selection and Acquisition approach was developed by the Centre for Technology Management at the Institute for Manufacturing. The Centre works with organisations at all stages of technological development, providing comprehensive support from early stage exploration, through multi-business unit technology strategy to end-of-life issues.

Academic Expert: Dr Letizia Mortara, Lecturer, IfM, University of Cambridge

FEATURED EXPERT

Imoh Ilevbare

HOW THIS SOLUTION WAS DEVELOPED

The IfM’s Technology Partner Selection and Acquisition approach was developed by the Centre for Technology Management at the Institute for Manufacturing. The Centre works with organisations at all stages of technological development, providing comprehensive support from early stage exploration, through multi-business unit technology strategy to end-of-life issues.

Academic Expert: Dr Letizia Mortara, Lecturer, IfM, University of Cambridge

FEATURED EXPERT

Imoh Ilevbare

Imoh Ilevbare

GET IN TOUCH

Contact us to find out more about how can support with your technology partner selection and acquisition process.