Breakout Session: Turning Researchers into Entrepreneurs: The Importance of “Leaving the Nest” and Achieving Problem–Solution Fit

University spin-offs can bring great value to society and industry. But to do so, the path of entrepreneurship must lead researchers outside the comfort zone of the lab (or academia in general) and closer to potential customers and the market. Achieving Problem-Solution Fit (PSF) is what turns research findings into potential businesses, and prioritizing PSF over perfection is what turns researchers into entrepreneurs.

This session discusses why it's important for upcoming founders to “leave the nest” sooner rather than later, how enabling stakeholders within academia (e.g., professors, mentors, innovation offices, etc.) can prepare students and researchers for this important step, and what concrete methods academics must follow once they start exploring the entrepreneurial path outside the lab.

To that end, the hosts will first present some insights before opening up the session for experience sharing and productive debate among participants.

Expected Outcomes:

• Participants can assess how much their researchers are inclined to leave their comfort zone.

• Participants understand and can clearly explain to researchers why it is important to “leave the nest.”

• Enablers within academia gain inspiration and practical ideas on how to prepare upcoming founders for leaving the lab and succeeding outside their comfort zone.

• Participants build confidence in facilitating mindset shifts from academic to entrepreneurial thinking.

• Participants work together on a concrete, step-by-step blueprint for pushing entrepreneurs to spread their wings.

• Participants connect with peers and share best practices for supporting entrepreneurial researchers.