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Centre for Sustainable Agrifood Systems

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STARTProject Development Toolkit

Additional model

Competitor analysis

Use this when a funding body asks for a competitor analysis, or to clarify your unique value proposition.

Where it’s used:Use at any point in the project development

How to use it

Some funding bodies require a competitor analysis. Name the most relevant academic and industrial competitors with respect to e.g. technology or service development and/or market applications, and describe how they are currently trying to solve the unmet need you are also trying to solve. It is a great way to clarify what makes your research, product, service or technology unique, and it helps you understand future users, consumers and buyers.

Start by mapping your known competitors (you already did some of this in your stakeholder mapping), then stratify them:

  • Direct competitors solve the problem in the same way you do, so your unique value proposition is essential.
  • Close competitors might occupy many of your future users, but address the scientific problem or societal need in a different way.
  • Associated competitors are every alternative the user has to your solution, even learning to live with the problem.

Be bold, and remember that having competitors is not a bad thing: it shows that others have also identified the societal need. Some competitors might even be converted into collaborators.

Competitor analysis: direct, close and associated competitorsThree nested circles. Innermost: direct competitors, who solve the problem the same way you do. Middle: close competitors, who reach your future users but address the need differently. Outermost: associated competitors, every alternative the user has, including learning to live with the problem.Associated competitorsEvery alternative the user has,even living with the problemClose competitorsReach your users, but solve theneed differentlyDirect competitorsSolve the problem thesame way you do
Direct, close and associated competitors (handbook p. 25).

Source: START Triple-I project development tool kit, pp. 24–25.