From stone tools to the digital age, technology has fueled human progress. Yet, countless breakthroughs never leave the laboratory. This book explains why this happens and offers a practical roadmap to bridge the gap between invention and commercial success. By combining engineering insight with economic principles, it enables scientists and technologists to understand markets, operations, and finance while maintaining technical rigor.

Drawing lessons from history—from Edison’s genius as an inventor-entrepreneur to strategies inspired by merchants, chess, and even living fossils—the book demonstrates that "doing things right" is as important as "doing the right thing." Grounded in the Scandinavian model of innovation and packed with actionable guidance, this book sheds light on how to navigate commercialization pitfalls, protect intellectual property, and build scalable ventures.

It will appeal to scholars, researchers, inventors, and R&D leaders interested in turning research into real-world impact and achieving their full potential.

Shuai Li is a Full Professor in the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering at the University of Oulu, Finland, and an Adjunct Professor at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland in Oulu. He earned his B.E. in Precision Mechanical Engineering from Hefei University of Technology, China, his M.E. in Automatic Control Engineering from the University of Science and Technology of China, and his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ, USA. His research focuses on robotics, autonomous systems, and intelligent control. Li is among the pioneers in applying machine learning to robotic system control with an emphasis on safety certification and performance guarantees. In recognition of his outstanding research achievements, he has been elected a member of the European Academy of Sciences.