XISTA Innovation Essentials is a structured, low-threshold foundation course designed to equip researchers with the mental models and practical instruments needed to navigate the space between the lab and the market. Following completion of the 4-hour E101 Entrepreneurship primer (intensive theory) and 4 sessions from the XISTA Talk Series (real-world case studies), students will be able to -- Identify the core pillars of deep-tech commercialization including invention identification, IP strategy, and startup financing -- Distinguish how commercialization pathways vary across scientific fields (e.g., life sciences vs. physical sciences), including different timelines, risks, and milestones. -- Recognize the realities involved in transitioning from researcher to entrepreneur, based on first-hand accounts from science founders. This "Essentials" package bridges the gap between passive inspiration and active understanding of the science-founders' journey.
Target group: Researchers at all stages of their careers, including PhD students, postdocs, and PIs.This includes researchers from all fields from computer science to plant biology who are curious about the "how-to" of translation but are not yet ready to commit to a full-semester Masterclass. This course counts toward the essential skills requirement for PhD students.
Prerequisites: None
Evaluation: Attendance, short report.
Teaching format: None
ECTS: 0.5 Year: 2025
Track segment(s):
Core curriculum
Teacher(s):
Prudence Donovan
Francesca Besostri
Sophia Hannes
Edmundo Sánchez Guajardo
Teaching assistant(s):
- Teacher: Francesca Besostri
- Teacher: Prudence Donovan
- Teacher: Sophia Hannes
- Teacher: Edmundo Sánchez Guajardo