Scientist to Founder: Edinburgh
How do you turn scientific research into a company? Where’s the right place to start? And once you’ve started, how do you get your idea funded at the earliest stage?
Join Conception X and Heriot-Watt in the heart of Edinburgh's historic centre to meet and learn from academic founders who have successfully translated their research into companies creating real-world impact. You’ll hear first-hand about how they navigated the transition from scientist to founder, how they decided when their research was ready to build on, the strategies they used to secure their first grant or investment and more.
If you're a researcher wondering whether now is the right time to build something, come and find out.
We're bringing together an ambitious community of entrepreneurial scientists, researchers, academic founders and industry innovators from across the Scottish innovation ecosystem.
What you'll get:
First-hand insights into how scientific research can evolve into a venture, and the journey to get there
The opportunity to meet people who are actively building and supporting science companies across Europe and the UK
Insights and advice from founders who moved from research into entrepreneurship
Networking with researchers, founders and industry leaders shaping European innovation
This event is for:
PhDs, postdocs, early-career researchers, engineers and academics curious about entrepreneurship
University TTOs, PIs and innovation managers who want to stay informed about researchers’ activities in the innovation ecosystem
Industry leaders and ecosystem builders interested in science-driven innovation
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.
Heriot-Watt University is committed to supporting researchers to translate world-class research into real-world impact. Through their enterprise and innovation ecosystem, Heriot-Watt help PhD students and postdoctoral researchers develop the skills, networks and confidence to explore commercialisation, create new ventures and address global challenges through research-led innovation.