Building the Future: Scientist Founders at the Frontier
A new generation of entrepreneurial scientists is creating companies at the frontier of traditional tech transfer routes – and reshaping how discoveries reach the market.
As part of this shift, the purpose of the PhD itself is evolving: no longer just a vehicle for knowledge creation, but increasingly a platform for venture formation and innovation.
Join Conception X, Cambridge Judge Entrepreneurship Centre and NVIDIA at Cambridge Judge Business School on 17 June to explore how researchers are embedding deeptech venture creation into their research, and to discover emerging tools, practices, and strategies to navigate this path faster.
The conference is designed for PhDs, postdocs and science founders actively building companies from their research – to exchange insights across universities, disciplines, sectors and stages, learn from each other and expand networks.
Here’s what you’ll get (more details to be announced soon):
Proven approaches from science founders building startups from within the university
How to embed commercial thinking into your research from day one
Frameworks for identifying high-potential venture opportunities in frontier research, including horizon scanning techniques
Emerging examples of how labs are integrating entrepreneurship and where research and venture creation are converging
A 90-day action plan to move your own venture forward
New connections with a community of fellow science founders across disciplines and stages
About the organisers:
Conception X is the home for Europe’s venture scientists. Since launching in 2018, Conception X has supported more than 800 PhDs, postdocs and early-career researchers from 91 universities to launch over 200 science companies that have raised £200+ million in investment and grants. Their £1 billion portfolio includes Rahko, Solve Intelligence, Humanloop and Infinitopes.
Cambridge Judge Entrepreneurship Centre
The Cambridge Judge Entrepreneurship Centre is where groundbreaking research and excellence in teaching is combined with a practitioner focused approach to support scientists and technologists transitioning to the role of company founder. Its focus is on enabling these founders to translate their research or inventions into real world commercial applications for global impact, while developing founders capable of building and leading sustainable businesses.
*Please note that photography may take place during this event. Any photos captured may be used for marketing and promotional purposes.