Positron Ventures’ Post

I've been exploring different models of corporate #SocialImpact, and specifically diving into partnerships between corporations and academia (be it universities, research institutions, etc.). Red Hat open innovation lab in Boston is a great example of this type of collaboration: 🤝 The company has partnered with Boston University to advance research and education on open source and emerging technologies. 🧑🤝🧑This partnership is helping to create a more skilled workforce and drive innovation in the tech industry. 🌎This kind of collaboration is essential for creating a more just and equitable world. By working together, businesses and universities can share resources and expertise to solve some of the world's most pressing problems. I'm optimistic that this type of partnership will lead to a brighter future for all. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gC9x-8s6

PhD Should Drive Real-World Impact, Not Just Publications. In today's world, the true value of a PhD should not be measured by the number of papers published but by the problems it solves. A PhD journey must equip scholars with skills to tackle real-world challenges and innovate solutions that can directly contribute to society. More than ever, it's essential for PhD research to lead to practical applications-solutions that can evolve into startups, fostering entrepreneurship and empowering the nation. Let's shift our focus from theoretical contributions to creating impactful change. A PhD should be a bridge between academic rigor and real-life innovation!

Are you a Social Scientist Researcher? Are you interested in exploring how the commercialisation of your research may strengthen its reach, significance and impact? This introductory free-to-attend half-day workshop has been organised by the Brett Centre for Entrepreneurship, University of Liverpool Management School in collaboration with ESRC: Economic and Social Research Council: Impact Accelerator Account (IAA) – University of Liverpool.   Date: Wednesday 28th February Time:1pm-5pm Venue: Hope Street Hotel, 40 Hope St, Liverpool L1 9DA   This workshop aims to provide Social Scientist Researchers with an enhanced understanding of the commercialisation of research: what it involves; its contemporary significance and relevance; and the opportunities it brings for researchers, including in a REF impact context.   Whilst the commercialisation of research has mainly been within STEM subjects, focusing on the generation of income in the production or delivery of research activity to users, this workshop will demystify ‘commercialisation’ by placing it into a context of knowledge generation, engagement and impact. The workshop will encourage a broad definition of commercialisation - beyond pure income or profit - discussing its significance for engagement and impact covering consultancy and social enterprises as well as wider forms of activity, such as network development and partnerships, that have a market value to sustain research. The workshop will be interactive, with presentations by facilitators and researchers who have embedded commercialisation into their research. Case examples of research projects will demonstrate the various ways that commercialisation pathways can be developed. Break out groups will provide space for participants to discuss their research and consider the potential ways that commercialisation may strengthen their reach, significance and impact. The workshop is open to Social Scientist Researchers, Early Career Researchers (ECRs), and Doctoral students (PGRs). To find out more and sign up 👇 https://lnkd.in/eziuUFhY

A PhD programme that culminates in a startup? PhD programmes shape the deep-tech workforce that solve humanity’s problems but don’t attract driven, commercially-minded visionaries yet. Deep Science Ventures' Ventures Science Doctorate (VSD) is a 3-year fully-funded, sector-agnostic programme that wants to change that. VSD candidates directly target the most important questions in their sector, learning to design their own research projects from first-principles and launching companies based on this research, to deliver impact, not just knowledge. They focus mainly on 4 sectors: - Climate - Pharma - Agriculture - Computation Here's the structure: Year 1: Scoping Year 2: Invention Year 3: Venture Creation Upon graduating, all the intellectual property is transferred into the new venture, which the candidate continues to lead as a co-founder. Collaborating institutes include the likes of: - Imperial College London - UCL - Cornell University Its founding partners include: - Innovate UK - Schmidt Futures Great to meet Elliot Roth from DSV at SynBioBeta and bounce-off ideas :) PS - I consider programmes like VSD as the future of tough-tech venture creation. No reason the model will not spread to other parts of the world.

Invitation: Unleash the Potential of Your Research: Turning Ideas into Impact Have you ever wondered how your research could lead to groundbreaking innovations or even change the world? Join us for an exciting workshop where we explore how you can harness the power of your research to make a real difference. In this workshop, we will delve into the realm of "push innovation" – innovations that stem from research findings and transform them into impactful solutions for businesses and society. Whether it's developing new products, launching a startup, or tackling societal challenges, your research holds immense potential. Led by experts from the maKeIT and EnTechnon, we will introduce you to the Technology Application Selection (TAS) approach, a proven methodology for translating research results into real-world impact. Through a series of interactive sessions, you will learn how to identify opportunities, generate new ideas, and unlock the value of your research. By the end of the course, you will: Understand the principles of "push innovation" and its significance Gain a fresh perspective on your research and its potential applications Identify fields where your research can make a tangible impact Learn the importance of aligning your interests with stakeholders for project success. Discover pathways to put your research into practice, whether through startups, industry collaborations, civic projects, or other avenues. 🎓 Who should attend? This event is specially designed for postdocs. Doctoral researchers are also warmly invited to register, and can join in if space permits. Come be part of it! 🗓️ Mark your calendar: May 17, 2024 (09:00 - 16:00) 📍 Language: The event will be conducted in English. 👉 Don’t miss this chance to explore the potential of your research and learn how to make a tangible impact. Join us and take the first step towards turning your ideas into impact. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eu9_32D2

#MinistryofEducation PhD Should Drive Real-World Impact, Not Just Publications. In today’s world, the true value of a PhD should not be measured by the number of papers published but by the problems it solves. A PhD journey must equip scholars with skills to tackle real-world challenges and innovate solutions that can directly contribute to society. More than ever, it’s essential for PhD research to lead to practical applications—solutions that can evolve into startups, fostering entrepreneurship and empowering the nation. Let’s shift our focus from theoretical contributions to creating impactful change. A PhD should be a bridge between academic rigor and real-life innovation!

It’s an interesting model to fund the talent and devise the plan later for a fledgling biotech. Academic scientists who have been biotech scientific founders in the past are now company leaders. Their cachet will draw in the best talent and bankroll a company for years until it finds success. Most academics aren’t the right fit. These scientists can make it happen with the right team. How will the academic departments retain the best? When will funding agencies shift to a higher risk, higher reward mindset?

Landed in Japan with a PhD scholarship for an exciting venture: developing cheaper silicon for solar cells—part of the SSB Project. Though I've since left academia, I stay connected and continually observe the dynamics between universities and industry. There's a noticeable gap: tons of brilliant ideas are confined within the walls of conference rooms and academic journals. What's often missing? A slice of business acumen to transition these innovations from lab benches to real-world applications. I've met Investors & VCs who share this observation—they're on the lookout for academic projects with potential but struggle to connect at the right stages. While incubators and government initiatives try to bridge this divide, many scientists find it tough to pitch their ideas beyond academic circles. Beyond big corporations that sponsor labs directly for IP rights, few startups successfully make the leap from academia, especially in deep tech. Many potentially groundbreaking projects simply fade away due to the lack of connectors who can meld the worlds of science and business. Here's to more scientists evolving into entrepreneurs, bridging these worlds, and advancing great ideas! #Innovation #AcademiaToIndustry #Entrepreneurship #DeepTech

🌍 From the depths of research labs to the forefront of innovation—Foundry is back! Are you a PhD student or early-career researcher with a burning idea that could change the world? Turn that idea into reality, surrounded by mentors who’ve walked the path before and a community that champions bold ambition. 🧬 Join our eight-week adventure where science meets entrepreneurship. You’ll collaborate with pioneers in frontier and biotech, receive a $1k cash grant, compete for a $5k prize, and, most importantly, propel your idea forward. Applications are open until July 26. This is your chance to transform your research into groundbreaking innovation. ✨ Ready to leap? Apply now through the link in the comments - and if you’ve got questions, join us for an AMA on Tuesday 16 July at midday AEST. Registration link also in the comments 👇 Tag someone who needs to see this, or dive in yourself—because the future waits for no one. #FoundryBB

STEM majors are dramatically more likely to become unicorn founders.    👨🏻💻Computer science majors are 8 times more likely to become unicorn founders when compared to other US undergraduate majors, and 5.1 times more likely when compared to all founders of randomly selected VC-backed startups.    📐Math (5.6x and 4.0x, respectively) and ⚛️physical sciences (4.8x and 5.1x) are also good major choices for people hoping to become unicorn founders.    The popular majors least likely to produce unicorn founders are education, journalism and health (less than 0.2x or at least five times less than average).    Unicorn founders are 34% less likely to pursue a business major relative to the overall US average, and 18% less likely compared to the random sample.    If you're interested in knowing more about the graduate education background of startup founders, check this post: https://lnkd.in/g7t4zECq.    Thank you to the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Venture Capital Initiative for support. 𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑒: US education data come from the US Department of Education. Several majors have been grouped into larger categories as follows:  - Physical sciences include physics, chemistry, aerospace/astronautics, materials science, earth science, and environmental studies.  - Social sciences include economics, geography, political science, anthropology, sociology, theology, linguistics, behavioral science, and history.  - Business includes marketing, accounting, advertising, real estate, and finance.  - Visual arts include performing arts.  - Liberal arts include area studies, literature, arts, architecture, and journalism.  - Health includes medicine, public health, hospitality, nursing, and nutritional science. #stanford #stanfordgsb #venturecapital #startups #innovation #technology