Business Model validation for a marketplace of lab network initiatives

In the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) the use of laboratories to support teaching is a common requirement, not just a possibility. With the rise of the internet, teaching laboratories have changed from 'traditional' hands-on equipment to configurations that allow remote use of the experiment materials. In recent years, online labs (e.g., laboratories of universities or research institutes) have gradually been integrated into 'networks' of labs, with the objective of making them more economically viable, otherwise they would have been short-lived due to the high cost for their development and maintenance. While research on online labs has focused on didactic and technical aspects, there seem to be no in-depth studies on the financial sustainability of technical solutions developed. Moreover, online solutions subvert the traditional pattern of access being limited to individuals engaged in the practice of organizations. Indeed, online laboratories can also be used by professionals and companies interested in research and development, testing, and training activities. The authors of this article frame the problem from the perspective of the servitization of labs of universities and research institutions, through a new business model of a marketplace capable of coordinating the network of labs. To do this, an analysis of the intention to use an online lab marketplace and the activities made available by the online labs is conducted. The analysis involves entrepreneurs and practitioners of various companies from diverse industries in the northern Italy. The analysis is twofold. Firstly, it proposes a survey of intention to use university labs and LNIs in business environment. Second, it seeks to assess the usefulness of a marketplace service that technically manages the relationship between service provider and buyer beyond the mere educational aspects.