The greatest value of an intellectual property portfolio is not always found in the markets it was originally created to serve. We help organizations identify overlooked commercial opportunities, evaluate adjacent markets, prioritize strategic options, and develop practical pathways for sustainable growth
Explore Growth Opportunities
THE HORIZON PROCESS
A Structured Process for Discovering Hidden Commercial Opportunities
Most intellectual property is evaluated only within the market it was originally intended to serve. Horizon takes a different approach. It combines patent intelligence, market analysis, and executive judgment to identify adjacent markets, prioritize commercialization opportunities, and develop practical strategies for growth. Explore the interactive overview below to see how the process works.
THE HORIZON METHODOLOGY
How the Horizon Process Works
Horizon is built around four core commercialization questions: where additional opportunities may exist, how attractive those markets are, which opportunities deserve priority, and what commercialization path makes the most sense. The final two stages focus on execution—turning the analysis into clear executive decision support and integrating the work of specialized IP research partners.
The six blocks below show how those pieces work together as a practical commercialization process.
Opportunity Discovery
Look beyond the original application of the technology to identify adjacent markets, unmet customer needs, and commercial opportunities that may not have been considered during development
Market Evaluation
Evaluate each opportunity based on market size, competitive dynamics, timing, barriers to entry, strategic fit, and the likelihood of creating meaningful commercial value
Strategic Prioritization
Not every opportunity deserves the same investment. Compare commercialization options and prioritize those with the greatest potential impact and the strongest strategic fit.
Commercialization Pathways
Determine the most effective path to market by evaluating licensing, strategic partnerships, internal development, acquisitions, or direct market entry
Executive Decision Support
Transform research and market analysis into clear, evidence-based recommendations that help leadership make confident commercialization decisions
Integrated Research Partners
Meridian works alongside specialized IP analytics firms whose patent and technical research complements our commercialization process. Their evidence informs the analysis; Meridian integrates it into strategic recommendations and commercialization decisions
The Horizon methodology transforms patent intelligence into executive decision support—helping leadership identify overlooked opportunities, evaluate commercialization pathways, and focus resources where they are most likely to create value
WHAT CLIENTS RECEIVE
From Analysis to Executive Action
Horizon produces three executive deliverables—not just research. Together they identify the strongest commercialization opportunities, evaluate the available paths, and provide leadership with clear recommendations for action
ASSESS
Commercial Opportunity Assessment
Identify where your intellectual property has the greatest potential to create new commercial value
A Prioritized View of the Strongest Opportunities
The Commercial Opportunity Portfolio identifies the highest-potential commercialization opportunities uncovered during the Horizon process. It organizes adjacent markets, applications, and customer needs into a prioritized executive assessment that helps leadership focus on where intellectual property can create the greatest commercial value.
EVALUATE
Executive Commercialization Pathways
Move beyond opportunity identification by evaluating the strategic options available for each high-potential opportunity. Horizon assesses licensing, partnerships, internal development, acquisitions, and other commercialization pathways—highlighting the advantages, risks, investment requirements, and likely business outcomes of each.
Evaluate the Best Path to Market
Not every opportunity should be commercialized the same way. Some are best licensed to established market leaders. Others justify strategic partnerships, internal product development, acquisitions, or new venture creation. Horizon compares these alternatives to help leadership select the commercialization strategy that best aligns with corporate objectives, capabilities, and risk tolerance.
ACT
Executive Action Plan
Translate analysis into execution through a practical roadmap that identifies immediate priorities, resource requirements, decision points, and recommended next steps. Rather than delivering another report, Horizon provides leadership with a clear plan for moving the highest-value opportunities toward commercialization.
Turn Insight into Action
The value of commercialization intelligence is realized only when it leads to action. Horizon concludes with an executive decision framework that prioritizes initiatives, recommends next steps, identifies required capabilities, and provides leadership with a practical roadmap for implementation.
INSIGHTS AND ANALYSIS
How technology developed to create tactile sensations in headphones became relevant to Apple's haptic technology—and what that journey reveals about finding new applications for existing intellectual property.
10 minute podcast • 1 minute read
How organic solar-cell research led to sensing patents now being asserted against Apple’s Face ID—and what that journey reveals about innovation across non-adjacent markets.
11 minute podcast • 2 minute read
Why the greatest commercial opportunity for an innovation may lie outside the market it was originally created to serve.
8 minute podcast • 1 minute read
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START THE CONVERSATION
Let’s Explore the Opportunity
Whether you're evaluating a new technology, accelerating commercialization, exploring licensing opportunities, or pursuing strategic partnerships, we'd welcome a confidential conversation. Together, we'll assess the opportunity, identify potential challenges, and discuss practical paths to commercial success.
Our role is to help leadership teams make informed decisions about commercialization strategy, market positioning, partnerships, and growth—not simply provide answers.
