On the Science Day (22 September) of Indo German Startup Week 2021, we heard from some of the most inventive and inspiring voices. Take a look at what we discovered in the world of Science-based Startups.

For our Keynote address we explored the relationship between academic and science-based Startups, governmental policy, and funding 

  • Anandi Iyer, Director at Fraunhofer Office, India touched upon how persistent policy framing, a multisectoral collaboration between stockholders, and the appropriability of funds is vital to pace up entrepreneurial innovation at both national and global levels.
  •  Dr. Katja Lasch, Director, DWIH & DAAD New Delhi talked about the centrality of academic spinoffs and incubation in the growing startup economies of India and Germany. She also stressed the importance of the internationalization of science-based entrepreneurs at early stages.

 

A Fireside Chat: Taking your Research to Market with science-based Startup experts

This chat answered key questions around what it takes for a scientist to become a startup founder, how entrepreneurs can set up the perfect team, and how science-based Startups can embark on their internationalization journey. Intellectual and equity issues within Startups were also discussed. 

  • Dr. Thorsten Lambertus, (Head of NeuroTech Labs)of  Biogen explained how scientists can be entrepreneurs if that is their core motivation and if they are open to upskilling.
  • Dr. Premnath Venugopalan, Head, NCL Innovations recommended science-based Startups to look at technology strategy as a whole and not just as ideas to get to the global market. The endpoint of the entrepreneurship game needs to be to deliver returns to all stakeholders. 
  •  Prof Dr. Thirumalaisamy P Velavan, Professor, Group leader, AG Leiter, University of Tübingen illustrated the symbiotic relationship between research institutions and Startups which rely heavily on big ideas and innovation. This is mainly because Startups are focused on efficiency and quality of work rather than quantity and this makes these partnerships successful. 

 

Science-Based Startup Stories (University Incubators/Entrepreneurs)

The session gave us some practical insights directly from the founders of some revolutionary science-Startups. The panel revealed that though the number of Startups arising from ideas born in the lab is limited, they play an essential role in our daily lives. The founders shared their personal motivations for becoming entrepreneurs from scientists. They were: listening to people’s needs, using a solution-based approach, and doing better for the world.

  • Dr. Prateek Mahalwar (CEO & Co-Founder), introduced us to how is BIOWEG working towards sustainable development to completely reform personal care products globally while also being good for the planet.
  • Avani Sapre, (Founder) shared how  LABMaiTE is establishing technologies that can automate a solution and decentralize treatment to achieve the ultimate dream of curing cancer.
  • Dr. Maliha Shah, Head of Science Department, Alpha-Telemed AG revealed how, having a patient-centric approach helped her company come up with a tech solution that enables early-stage Alzheimer’s detection and a tech monitoring solution for Parkinson’s patients. She also touched on the role that GINSEP played in their growth journey. 

 

Master Class: Technology Transfer with Fraunhofer Venture

In the Masterclass, by Fraunhofer Venture, we understood how startups can cooperate with Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Institutes and get access to technologies. There was also an opportunity to get insights on the experiences and best practices of clous GmbH.

  • Manuel Hösle, (Investment Manager & Startup Coach): demonstrated how Fraunhofer Venture supports startups through mentoring, coaching, seed financing through its programs all of which work towards creating real impact of technology on ground.
  • Janis Kropp, (Innovation Manager): shared how  Fraunhofer Venture supports tech startups to partner with technology partners which can speed up the Startup’s journey to conquer markets.
  • Claas Blume (CEO & Co-founder): took us through some key learnings in the process of setting up clous GmbH which innovated methods, reduced pressure on resources, cost, and time.