FarjadAI · Mentorship · Coaching

Diagnostic Tool

How mature is your technology, really?

Locate your technology on the NASA 1–9 readiness scale — the same scale government innovation programs use to decide what to fund. Answer evidence questions, get your TRL, the gaps to the next level, and the funding context for your stage.

Takes about 4-6 minutes • 27 evidence checks

  1. TRL 1–3ResearchFrom observed principles to an experimental proof of concept.
  2. TRL 4–6DevelopmentFrom lab validation to a working prototype in a relevant environment.
  3. TRL 7–9Demonstration & DeploymentFrom operational demonstration to a system proven in real operations.

Answer honestly and only claim “Yes” where you could show the evidence to a reviewer. TRL is a ladder — skipped levels don’t count.

The nine Technology Readiness Levels

TRL is a 1–9 scale originally defined by NASA and now used by government innovation and funding programs to describe how far a technology has actually been proven. Each level below gives the canonical definition, what it looks like inside a venture, the evidence that level requires, and what it takes to leave it.

The three phases

TRL 1–3
Research

From observed principles to an experimental proof of concept.

TRL 4–6
Development

From lab validation to a working prototype in a relevant environment.

TRL 7–9
Demonstration & Deployment

From operational demonstration to a system proven in real operations.

  1. TRL 1 — Basic Principles Observed

    Definition
    Scientific research is beginning and results are being translated into future research and development.
    What this looks like in a venture
    You have observed a phenomenon or capability that could become a technology — but it is still science, not engineering.
    Evidence required at this level
    • The basic scientific or technical principles behind the technology have been observed and reported.
    • Findings are documented (literature review, research notes, publications) — not just an idea in someone's head.
    • Potential application areas for the principle have been identified, at least at a high level.
    To advance
    Formulate a concrete practical application and support it with analysis.

  2. TRL 2 — Technology Concept Formulated

    Definition
    Basic principles have been studied and practical applications can be applied to those initial findings; still speculative, with little to no experimental proof of concept.
    What this looks like in a venture
    You can describe a specific application and back it with analysis — calculations, models, desk research — but nothing has been proven experimentally yet.
    Evidence required at this level
    • A specific practical application or use case for the technology has been formulated.
    • The concept is supported by analysis (calculations, models, simulations on paper, desk research).
    • The key assumptions and unknowns that still have to be proven are explicitly written down.
    To advance
    Design and run first experiments that test the critical functions of the concept.

  3. TRL 3 — Experimental Proof of Concept

    Definition
    Active research and design begin; analytical and laboratory studies assess viability, and a proof-of-concept model is constructed.
    What this looks like in a venture
    Critical pieces of the technology have been shown to work in isolation — a lab experiment, a simulation, or a code proof of concept.
    Evidence required at this level
    • Critical functions or components have been tested experimentally (lab experiments, simulations, or working proof-of-concept code).
    • Experimental results confirm the key analytical predictions made earlier.
    • A proof of concept exists that demonstrates core feasibility, even if nothing is integrated yet.
    To advance
    Integrate the core components and validate them together in a controlled environment.

  4. TRL 4 — Validated in Lab

    Definition
    The proof-of-concept technology advances to testing where multiple component pieces are tested with one another.
    What this looks like in a venture
    The core components work together as a low-fidelity system in your lab or development environment.
    Evidence required at this level
    • Core components have been integrated and validated together in a lab or development environment.
    • Performance has been measured against defined target metrics, not just observed informally.
    • Test results show the integrated system is feasible (low fidelity is acceptable at this stage).
    To advance
    Raise fidelity and test the integrated system under realistic conditions, data, and interfaces.

  5. TRL 5 — Validated in Relevant Environment

    Definition
    A continuation of TRL 4: breadboard technology undergoes more rigorous testing, including simulations in realistic environments.
    What this looks like in a venture
    The system has been tested under realistic conditions — real-world data, realistic loads, actual interface constraints — not just clean lab inputs.
    Evidence required at this level
    • The integrated system has been tested in a relevant or simulated real environment (realistic data, users, or operating conditions).
    • The fidelity of the prototype has increased significantly compared to the lab version.
    • Interfaces with external systems and real-world constraints have been identified and tested.
    To advance
    Build a fully functional prototype and demonstrate it end-to-end in a relevant environment.

  6. TRL 6 — Prototype Demonstrated in Relevant Environment

    Definition
    A fully functional prototype or representational model is developed and demonstrated.
    What this looks like in a venture
    A complete, working prototype (or beta) has been demonstrated end-to-end — pilot users, staging with production-like data, or field trials.
    Evidence required at this level
    • A fully functional prototype or beta has been demonstrated end-to-end in a relevant environment (pilot users, staging with real data, field trial).
    • Prototype performance approaches the requirements of real operational use.
    • Remaining engineering risks are identified, with a clear plan to close them.
    To advance
    Move the prototype into the actual operational environment, at or near real scale.

  7. TRL 7 — Demonstrated in Operational Environment

    Definition
    The working model or prototype is demonstrated in its target operational environment.
    What this looks like in a venture
    Real customers or field conditions — the prototype runs where the product will actually live, at or near real scale.
    Evidence required at this level
    • The prototype has been demonstrated in the actual operational environment (real customers, real field conditions).
    • The demonstration ran at or near real scale and load.
    • Operational feedback is being captured and is driving refinement.
    To advance
    Complete and qualify the system: reliability, security, compliance, documentation, support.

  8. TRL 8 — System Complete & Qualified

    Definition
    The technology has been tested and qualified, and is ready for implementation.
    What this looks like in a venture
    The product is finished and qualified — hardened, documented, supported — and early customers are running it in production.
    Evidence required at this level
    • The system is complete and has been qualified through test and demonstration (reliability, security, compliance or certification as applicable).
    • Documentation, support, and operating processes are in place.
    • Early or pilot customers are using the system successfully in production.
    To advance
    Prove the system through sustained, successful real operations.

  9. TRL 9 — Proven in Operations

    Definition
    The technology is proven through successful operations ("flight proven" in NASA terms).
    What this looks like in a venture
    The technology runs continuously in real operations with real customers, with stable, monitored performance.
    Evidence required at this level
    • The system is proven through continuous, successful operation with real customers or missions.
    • Performance in production is stable and actively monitored.
    • Support, maintenance, and improvement cycles are running as an ongoing operation.
    To advance
    Technology maturity is complete — the frontier is now market, scale, and business readiness.
TRL Assessment — Technology Readiness Level Calculator | Farjad