November 29, 2020

NOVA launches the Sciencepreneur Hands-on Programme to foster knowledge transfer from the University

Sciencepreneur Hands-on aims to accelerate knowledge transfer at NOVA University Lisbon, by supporting researchers with a technological or scientific breakthrough to identify the best path for its commercialisation, through a one-on-one guidance on how to build a go-to-market strategy – from research results to impact.  

In the beginning of 2020, through a joint initiative of NOVA Impact and NOVA Doctoral School, NOVA University Lisbon launched the Sciencepreneur – Basics course designed for scientists seeking to broaden the idea of what innovation is and learn how to create value from their research activities. Comprising theoretical lectures, case studies and discussion sessions with experienced science-based entrepreneurs, investors and corporate CEO’s, this course provided insights into the process of knowledge-driven innovation, intellectual property and idea generation to nearly 50 researchers from several NOVA schools, besides creating awareness of the impact that scientists can have from an economical and societal point of view.  

As a follow-on initiative, NOVA Impact recently announced the 1st edition of the Sciencepreneur Hands-on Programme to help researchers with a technological or scientific breakthrough identifying the best path for its commercialisation. Selected candidates will have dedicated support delivered by experts from NOVA and programme partners, including Venture Capitalists (VC’s) and science-based entrepreneurs, with large experience in knowledge transfer activities and business development, as well as regular meetings with assigned mentors, who will closely follow up the evolution of the candidate projects and facilitate networking opportunities. The programme will take place online, through a period of 14 weeks, starting in December and it will close with a pitch presentation to a panel of VC’s.  

During this programme researchers will explore the best path for commercialising their lab’s emerging technologies or scientific breakthroughs, in order to identify new science-based opportunities and promote the conversion of knowledge produced at NOVA into socioeconomic value.  

Through this initiative, NOVA aims to find its next generation of scientist-entrepreneurs and to promote an entrepreneurial culture within its community of researchers.   

Contact info: Hélder Lopes, NOVA Impact – helder.lopes@unl.pt   

More info: https://www.unl.pt/en/entrepreneurship/sciencepreneur

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