Technology intelligence
The practice of systematically monitoring, connecting, and interpreting signals about emerging technologies to understand where innovation is heading.
Hype cycle
The pattern of inflated then corrected expectations a new technology often passes through before fading or maturing into productive use.
Technology readiness level (TRL)
A scale describing how mature a technology is, from basic research through to proven, deployed systems.
Patent landscape
An analysis of patent activity in a field, revealing who is innovating, where, and how fast.
Preprint
A research paper shared publicly before formal peer review, often the earliest visible signal of a scientific advance.
Horizon scanning
The systematic search for early signs of important developments, including weak signals at the edge of current thinking.
Signal vs. noise
Distinguishing meaningful, evidence-backed indicators from attention that is not supported by real activity.
Emerging technology
A technology still developing toward broad practical use, whose eventual impact is not yet fully established.
Deep tech
Companies and technologies built on substantial scientific or engineering advances, typically with longer development timelines.
Technology scouting
The active search for external technologies, startups, or research relevant to an organization's goals.
Competitive intelligence
The gathering and analysis of information about competitors and market conditions to inform strategy.
Patent citation
A reference from one patent to prior patents or literature, used to trace influence and map innovation.
Adoption curve
The pattern by which a technology spreads through a market over time, from early adopters to the mainstream.
Innovation signal
Any observable indicator — a patent, paper, investment, or policy change — that suggests where technology is heading.
Entity resolution
Determining when different mentions refer to the same real-world thing, such as a company, researcher, or technology.
Knowledge graph
A structured network of entities and the relationships between them, used to connect signals into context.
Regulatory filing
A document submitted to a government body that can signal coming changes in what technologies are permitted or required.
Weak signal
An early, ambiguous indicator of potential change that is easy to miss but can precede major shifts.