Scientist to Founder: Amsterdam
How do you turn scientific research into a company? What does it take to shift from thinking like a researcher to thinking like a founder? And what are the doubts and early decisions that come with that transition?
Join Conception X, Positron and TNO Ventures 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 what it was like to navigate the early stages of building a science company – how they decided their research was ready to build on, built enabling networks, and more.
If you're a researcher wondering whether now is the right time to build something, come and find out.
For one night only, we are bringing together an ambitious community of entrepreneurial scientists, researchers, academic founders and industry innovators in Amsterdam.
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
Agenda:
5.30pm – Doors open
6pm – Panel discussion & audience Q&A
7.15–9pm – Networking mixer
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.
Positron is an early-stage venture fund for scientists and technical founders who want to turn bold ideas into real companies. They work closely with teams grounded in deep scientific expertise and are drawn to ambitious solutions for some of the most important challenges facing human and planetary health.
TNO Ventures builds deeptech companies that matter by transforming cutting‑edge TNO research into impactful start‑ups and scale‑ups. They support researchers and entrepreneurs from first market validation through venture building and growth, with the ambition to create real‑world impact and strengthen the European innovation ecosystem.
*Please note that photography may take place during this event. Any photos captured may be used for marketing and promotional purposes.