Software uses blockchain-like technology to manage innovation

By Roseli Andrion  |  FAPESP Innovative R&D – Companies are increasingly looking to improve the control of innovation and product development projects, especially when they involve collaboration between companies. In this scenario, having a tool that makes the process transparent, fluid and agile makes the work easier.

This is what motivated Brazilian production engineer and specialist in project management, technology roadmapping and blockchain Isabela Piccirillo to create a platform to optimize collaborative project management. The system makes it possible to manage expectations and intellectual property while guaranteeing legal certainty.

While the proposal was still a doctoral research, Piccirillo presented it at a meeting at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom. Companies from a variety of industries expressed interest in the solution. “I wasn’t even thinking of turning the study into a product, but I realized how difficult it is for companies to manage collaborative projects, especially in terms of aligning expectations and managing intellectual property,” Piccirillo says.

When a product is developed collaboratively, managing intellectual property is complex because specifications and requirements change throughout the project. “In this context, companies need to make sure that everyone agrees with the changes and contributions so that they can ultimately manage royalties and patents fairly.”

The specialist then decided to turn the academic research into a product and then into a company. The startup, called Lotik, has received support from FAPESP’s Innovative Research in Small Businesses program (PIPE). “At PIPE Entrepreneur [a training program offered by FAPESP for companies supported by PIPE to improve their business plans], I had guidance to determine the business model. We came to the conclusion that accuracy, agility and legal certainty were the main aspects to align expectations during collaboration between different companies. That’s why those are the pillars of the platform.”

At PIPE Entrepreneur, it was also clear that large companies benefit greatly from adopting the platform – even though it was designed to serve startups and large corporations. “Large companies tend to have a lot of projects going on at the same time. As a result, it can be difficult to manage them because the platforms they use generally don’t have the resources to help with changes and consensus throughout the process.”

Technology and method are highlights

One of the main advantages of Lotik’s platform is the use of a technology similar to blockchain, which guarantees the immutability and traceability of information. “In this way, changes are definitively recorded. This brings more trust, guarantees legal certainty and avoids disputes regarding, for example, author and date.”

From this premise came the company’s name, which is meant to represent dynamism, transparency and fluidity, and was inspired by lotic aquatic ecosystems. “Water has movement, it’s transparent and fluid. This name describes what we’re looking for, which is to guarantee that transparency between companies.”

In collaborative projects, it is essential that everyone’s expectations are aligned, especially when it comes to specification changes. “Our technology can make a difference in the day-to-day operations of companies by helping to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of collaborative projects.”

Market needs

Isabela participated in the 8th cycle of Academia-Industry Training (AIT), a program supported by the University of St. Gallen that helps entrepreneurial researchers from Brazil and Switzerland develop their projects. There, they are guided in creating a market application from their cutting-edge research and work together to share best practices, understand new markets and create synergies.

In the process, the researcher received training in Brazil and more in Switzerland. She also won third place in the program’s competition. During her immersion in Switzerland, she realized that there was a great demand for the solution abroad. “That’s why the platform has been available in English from the beginning, and the expectation is to expand its reach in Brazil and other countries. This year, we’re looking to partner with at least five more companies, one or more of which will be in the international market.”

For the entrepreneur, technological innovation combined with academic research can lead to practical and useful solutions for the market. “The project is evolving to facilitate collaboration between companies in an increasingly dynamic and competitive scenario. The results show us that we’re on the right track and that it’s possible to combine knowledge and entrepreneurship at university.”

Being tested

The system is currently being tested in a multinational company and at the Technological Research Institute (IPT, affiliated with the São Paulo State Department for Economic Development). And although it is already being tested in companies, the system is constantly being improved. Isabela plans to continue improving the platform based on feedback from partners. “Lotik is already preparing to become a benchmark in collaborative innovation management solutions. We’re just getting started: we want to grow, constantly improve the platform and expand into new markets.”

Another advantage of using the system is the possibility of saving human resources and time. “Since the solution facilitates management, the number of professionals needed for management is reduced. The data are available in real time, unlike a traditional process where it takes a long time to check the information and update the requirements.”

For the user, the platform is easy to use, but for this to happen, the research was intense and based on agile project management – carried out at the Innovation Management Center (CEGIS) of the São Carlos Engineering School of the University of São Paulo (EESC-USP). “Sometimes a company wants to collaborate but is afraid to share information. The solution aims to simplify these processes and make collaboration more effective.”

Female entrepreneurship

The production engineer points out that the path to entrepreneurship is still challenging for women, especially in male-dominated fields such as technology. She notes that in addition to technical and financial difficulties, there is a need to balance work and personal life. “We often have to deal with prejudice and an overload of domestic and family responsibilities,” she says. “However, with persistence and support, we can break down barriers and achieve success.”

Isabela points out that the biggest challenge has been balancing research with business demands, especially as a mother of two young daughters. “As an entrepreneur, there are both moments of great enthusiasm, such as when you win a partnership or investment, and of uncertainty, especially when you don’t have the resources needed to expand quickly,” she explains. “Being an entrepreneur, especially in technology, requires a lot of persistence.”