The programme aims to raise awareness among research workers about the need to make better use of this knowledge in creating products and services with added value for society.
StartUp Research Nova is a graduate programme developed collaboratively by scientists and entrepreneurs from the António Xavier Institute of Chemical and Biological Technology of the Nova University of Lisbon (ITQB NOVA), based in Oeiras, and by the Nova School of Business & Economics (Nova SBE). It was developed with the aim of “making researchers aware of the value that their science can generate”, providing life science researchers with “knowledge about innovation trends in the industry, skills and entrepreneurship”, according to its promoters.
“We developed this programme especially for young researchers who are enthusiastic about science, who have new ideas and discoveries, and who want to direct their knowledge towards products and services that can benefit us all”, explains Cláudio M. Soares, Dean of ITQB NOVA.
“We know it’s not easy to imagine a ‘business idea’ based around science when we develop skills to do basic research, but that’s where this course can make a difference,” he adds.
StartUp Research Nova have the Municipality of Oeiras, the Pharmis hospital products company, the intellectual property consultants Megaingenium and the Egas Moniz University Institute as partners.
The third edition of this initiative, StartUp Research 2021, is already underway and will take place from 5 February to 14 May next year.
After this intensive three-month course, life science researchers should be more aware of innovation and therefore more willing to explore opportunities to translate new technologies into sustainable solutions for society. “StartUp Research brings together the best entrepreneurship experts from NOVA SBE and innovative scientists from ITQB NOVA, to provide young researchers with the skills to support them in recognising a good business opportunity when it arises in the laboratory environment”, says Cláudio M. Soares.
“Innovation is essential for improving people’s lives and the development of society. In the case of life sciences, it can take the form of new or improved medicines, more efficient and sustainable energy resources or new technological solutions to protect our environment and safeguard our citizens”, explain the promoters of the initiative. They point out that an interdisciplinary approach to innovation is a key factor in translating knowledge into effective products or services, but that “critical communication gaps remain between the scientific community and commercial agents”. Thus, StartUp Research’s mission is to help bridge the communication gap between scientists and business stakeholders by providing researchers with the social awareness and business skills necessary to actively promote the translation of their technologies into innovative products and services.
Applications are open until 6 December and those who apply by 30 September will benefit from a 10% discount.
