What Is the Lean Canvas for Invention (LCI)?

Abstract

The Lean Canvas for Invention (LCI) is an academic tool that provokes the thought process of researchers and academic inventors to build an attitude of investing their time and effort on inventions having potential of commercialization. It can be useful for academic inventors belonging to multiple science and engineering disciplines (e.g., civil, electrical, mechanical, textile, software, water, environment and sanitation, etc.), intending for entrepreneurship. The LCI is developed on understanding that bridging knowledge asymmetries between technology developers and technology managers at the technology transfer offices is extremely desired. It is a systematic thinking process that allows researchers, academic inventors, product developers, and entrepreneurs to ponder upon multiple parameters which must be considered as prerequisites for technological inventions and for invention disclosures.