Scaling innovations from laboratory research to industrial applications presents significant challenges and opportunities, particularly in fields like biorefineries and life sciences. Key hurdles include scale-up effects, raw material costs and availability, technical limitations, and regulatory barriers. Effective collaboration between academia and industry is essential for success. Academic research should prioritize early economic evaluations and process optimization, while industry must focus on integrating new technologies, such as biorefinery processes, with existing systems and ensuring market viability. Best practices, implemented early in R&D, significantly enhance the likelihood of successful technology transfer. Examples from biorefinery development highlight the need for cross-sector partnerships to address scalability and sustainability. By fostering robust academia-industry collaboration and adopting strategic approaches, the transition from lab to industry can be improved, driving innovation and economic impact in the life sciences sector.