You're making R&D bets without a full picture. Techno-economic modeling changes that. Join Chris Burk, PE, to see how the best tough-tech teams use it to sharpen decisions and win stakeholders.

Techno-economic modeling (TEM) is foundational to tough-tech development, yet it remains underutilized. When done well, a techno-economic model is far more than a one-off cost estimate — it’s a tool for capturing your best understanding of a technology, exploring its implications, and iteratively building on it as development progresses.

Drawing from his experience modeling more than 150 technologies, Chris Burk will share how techno-economic models are built, how they are used to sharpen R&D decisions and stakeholder communication, and how we can unlock their full potential.

Other topics will include:

• The key components of a well-built techno-economic model

• Real world examples of TEM-guided decision-making

• Overcoming barriers to good modeling

• Broader implications of TEM in the tough-tech ecosystem

About the speaker. Chris Burk is a practicing chemical engineer and founder of Burk TechnoEconomics, a consulting firm specializing in TEM for early-stage chemical, bioprocess, and energy technologies. Over the last ten years, he and his team have developed models for over 200 technologies spanning a wide range of industries.

He has taught and mentored extensively through organizations like Activate, The Engine, and Stanford Sustainability Accelerator. His book Techno-Economic Modeling for Chemical and Bioprocess Innovations (Wiley, 2025) is the first comprehensive treatment of the subject.