What are the most effective ways to measure the success of a scientific project in a business setting?

I totally get where you're coming from, trying to measure the success of a scientific project in a business setting can be tough. For me, it's all about finding metrics that align with your goals. If you're looking to scale up your technology, you might want to consider metrics like 'technical readiness' or 'proof-of-concept success rates'. These metrics can give you a better idea of how far along your project is and whether it's viable for commercial use.

In terms of specific tools, I've found that using a framework like the 'Project Management Institute's (PMI) Earned Value Management' can be really helpful. This framework helps you track your project's progress and measure its success based on factors like scope, schedule, and budget. You can also use tools like Trello or Asana to track your project's progress and set milestones. As for traditional business metrics, ROI might not be directly applicable, but you can use something like 'cost savings' or 'efficiency gains' to measure the impact of your project.

Regarding time-to-market, it can definitely be a relevant metric in this context. If you're able to get your technology to market faster than your competitors, that's a huge success in itself. You can also use metrics like 'customer adoption rate' or 'market share' to measure the success of your project. Ultimately, it's all about finding the right metrics that align with your goals and using tools that help you track and analyze them.

I hope that helps! Remember, it's all about experimentation and finding what works best for your project. Good luck with your startup!