Designing a Simulation-based Prototype : Supporting the implementation of Revenue Models for Deep-Tech Ventures

Sammanfattning

Deep-tech ventures (DTVs) develop advanced technological solutions that combine technical, physical, and digital elements, creating complex conditions for revenue model implementation. Although there is significant research on revenue model structures, firms in DTV context often lack structural support for comparison and implementation of these revenue models in practice, which creates a design-implementation gap. This study addresses this design-implementation gap by designing a simulation-based prototype to support the comparison and implementation of revenue models within DTVs, integrating both providers perspective and customer insights. The study adopted design science research approach, using axiomatic design (AD) as the theoretical design framework. The empirical data was collected through consultation with the case company, a Swedish DTV specialized in advanced surface treatment and barrier solutions, complemented by semi-structured interviews with the industrial customers of the case company. The collected data was translated into functional requirements (FRs) and design parameters (DPs), enabling the systematic translation of provider and customer insights into a structured simulation environment for the development of an Excel-based simulation prototype. The result shows that a modular simulation-based prototype can support the comparison of revenue models regarding profitability, scalability and investment and risk allocation. The study further suggests that revenue models’ suitability is dynamic and phase dependent, changing as technology matures and customer trust increases. The study addresses the design-implementation gap by developing a practical decision-support simulation-based prototype that support the implementation of revenue models in a DTV context.