In the world of academia, many groundbreaking research results unfortunately never leave the university „drawer“. Lithoz, a spin-off from the TU Wien, serves as a powerful counter-example, having evolved into a „Hidden Champion“ and global market leader in the field of 3D printing for high-performance ceramics.
From Dissertation to Innovation
The story began in 2006 at TU Wien, where Johannes Homa and Johannes Benedikt conducted research for several years before founding Lithoz in 2011.
Interestingly, while Homa’s initial goal was simply to complete a dissertation, the project gained momentum when industrial partners like Ivoclar expressed interest in the technology being developed at the university.
Achieving the Technological Breakthrough
The defining challenge for Lithoz was not just making the technology work, but ensuring the 3D-printed parts matched the material properties and strength of conventional manufacturing. Until they reached this milestone, the ceramic parts were too brittle for industrial use.
Their success in achieving industrial-standard strength opened doors to high-stakes applications, including:
- Aviation: Casting cores for aircraft turbines.
- Medical Technology: Bone replacement materials, such as cranial implants.
- Dental: Dental restorations that can withstand the pressure of biting.
- Industry: Highly stressed machine components and multi-material parts combining ceramic and metal.
Scaling a „Family“ into an Organization
Growing from a small founding team to over 100 employees required significant structural adjustments. Homa notes that a company often goes through distinct phases:
- The 15-Person Stage: At this size, the company still feels like a „family“ where communication happens naturally.
- The 50-Person Stage: New management levels and structured information flows become essential as a distance develops between the founders and the employees.
- Constant Adaptation: Lithoz continues to refine its structures, recently implementing medical technology quality standards (ISO 13485) to meet industry requirements.
Lessons in Funding and Sales
Lithoz initially chose to grow without outside investors, driven by a misconception that investors were „evil“ or purely exploitative. While this allowed them to avoid immediate dependencies, Homa now views investors as valuable supporters who provide not just capital but also consulting and „time“ to grow faster.
Furthermore, the team had to navigate long sales cycles, which typically last between one and a half to two years for new customers. In this high-tech sector, „sales“ is often synonymous with technical consulting, requiring a balance between creating hype and maintaining absolute honesty about the technology’s current capabilities.
Advice for Future Tech Founders
Drawing from his experience, Johannes Homa offers three vital tips for those looking to spin off research into a business:
- Prioritize Marketing and Sales: Technology is not everything. You cannot assume people will simply know about or buy your product because it is good.
- Think Like an Entrepreneur: You must understand the „non-technical“ side, including balance sheets and tax requirements, or hire someone who does.
- Hire for Enthusiasm: Place people in roles they are passionate about. A tech-heavy founder should pair with someone who genuinely enjoys the business and sales side.
Ultimately, the path from researcher to CEO is a steep learning curve that requires resilience. As Homa learned, even when a crisis feels like the world is ending (such as a key employee leaving) the world keeps turning, and every problem is an opportunity to find a better solution.
If you want to dive deeper into the full journey listen to the SCALEup Talk podcast episode with Johannes Homa
