Challenging Deep Tech Norms: Adopting Lean Principles from Lab to Market | Mark Bjornsgaard

Mark Bjornsgaard | Founder and CEO | System Two Group

Podcast Episode Description:

This episode of Lab to Market Leadership features a compelling interview with Mark Bjornsgaard, founder and CEO of System Two Group. Known for his significant successes, including the over £200 million sale of Deep Green Technologies, Mark offers a transformative view on developing and scaling businesses, particularly within the Deep Tech landscape.

Chris engages Mark in a spirited discussion about the efficacy of lean management principles when applied to advanced science and engineering. Mark unpacks his philosophy that true innovation begins not with building, but with rigorously testing behavioural hypotheses. He explains why embracing the ‘kill rate’ of ideas and detaching emotionally from concepts are crucial for entrepreneurial progress.

The conversation highlights:

● The limitations of starting with a solution before understanding market desirability.

● The profound impact of focusing on human behaviour as the ultimate driver of product adoption.

● Insights gleaned from thousands of tests across System Two Group’s ventures.

● Practical implications for early-stage Deep Tech companies on validating their core assumptions.

This is a must-listen for anyone involved in bringing complex technologies to market, providing a candid and actionable framework for navigating the often-treacherous lab-to-market journey.

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To learn more about Lab-to-Market Leadership, view our presentation: ‘The Lab-to-Market Journey – a Blueprint.’

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