Doctoral Schools

Science to business

Target audience

More than 80% of the PhD researchers pursue a career in industry, start their own company or work in the public sector. This workshop is useful to all of these career paths. Participants are taught to understand the business context and the customer or user point of view. This gives them a high-level business perspective on their research and technology. They are offered a unique and personalized approach that will prepare them to be one of the technology leaders, innovation agents or welfare architects of tomorrow.

In the past the Opportunity Recognition Workshop of iMinds (which was the predecessor of Science to business) has lead to multiple spin-offs at several universities.
No foreknowledge is required. The workshop is of beginners level when it comes to entrepreneurship. They need to have a technology, model or any other piece of intellectual property coming from their research to be able to take part in this workshop.
It is open for researchers and postdocs from all doctoral schools, however chances are high that participants will have a technical background.

Abstract

The Science to Business (S2B) workshop is a short program for researchers and scientists that teaches you to create value from your own research and technology, and takes you on a journey to discover commercial applications or services. It is the ideal first step to look into the market potential of your research.

Topic

In the workshop the participants will see theoretical concepts such as value proposition, customer segmentation, customer needs and pains, business models, technology push vs market pull, pitching techniques, …
In the hands-on workshop they will learn and apply tools such as the research canvas, the opportunity identification canvas, the value proposition canvas, the business model canvas and various pitching techniques. These will all be applied on their personal research topic.
During the dragon’s den (pitching session in front of investors) they will receive valuable feedback about the next steps that need to be taken before going to the market.

Objectives

During the workshop participants will gather the following skills:

- awareness and ability to exploit the potential of your own research

- understanding the value creation process in a very early stage

- the ability to think about your sector's opportunities from different angles (e.g. customer, marketing, business)

- the ability to apply research know-how to build solutions for problems

- how to recognize business opportunities and exploit them

- obtain the necessary pre-business planning skills

- develop more entrepreneurial skills (presentation skills, customer and user focus).

Tentative programme

Dates:

5 May, 12 May, 19 May, 26 May, 2 June, 9 June, 16 June 2021: each time from 14:30 – 17:00 and 18 June 2021 from 10:00 – 16:00

1 March – 19 April: Subscriptions are open & communication of the program

21 April: participants receive feedback whether they are in or not

3 May: Online preparatory program opens on Ufora

3 May – 18 June: 7 Wednesday afternoon session and assignments in between

18 June: Pitching & dragon’s den with investor jury, if possible in real-life at The Foundry

Venue

Venue (if required): Online + (if possible) The Foundry, Jozef Kluyskensstraat 31, 9000 Gent for the final day

Contact person:

Lecturers

Jolien Coenraets has a Master of Science in Computer Science Engineering and has years of experience in coaching and guiding starting entrepreneurs to build their company at Ghent University – DO! and in her former start-ups. She is involved in several teaching activities in workshop settings, lifelong learning and education.

Steve Stevens has a Master of Science in Economics and has years of experience in coaching and guiding starting entrepreneurs and existing companies to flourishing businesses. He has facilitated tons of workshops and intensive programs during his time as coach at HoGent Center for Entrepreneurship, at Ghent University – DO! and at his own company ‘Building between bridges’. He is involved in several councils and boards as an expert in entrepreneurship in the Ghent / Flemish region.

  • Tom Van Damme  Affiliation: Ghent University – DO! Contact details: tom.vandamme@ugent.be 

Tom Van Damme has years of business experience in different types of organisations (horeca, construction, social work, arts, …). He was the former Investment Officer at Upgrade Estate. He currently is a business coach at Ghent University - DO! where he coaches over 600 students and researchers each year. His massive network in many industries is a great asset for the participants in Expedition DO!.

Registration

will be announced on following webpage: https://www.durfondernemen.be/en/offerings/science-to-business

Teaching material

Learning track on Ufora including video’s, text, reference materials, handouts of the workshops and sessions

Evaluation criteria (Doctoral Training Programme)

100% attendance