Strong research systems increasingly recognize the need to bridge the gap between promising scientific discoveries and their translation into societal and economic impact. This webinar brings together two perspectives from emerging innovation ecosystems that are developing practical mechanisms to support early-stage commercialisation and translational research.
Elina Aleksejeva-Zagura (University of Tartu, Estonia) will present insights from the Estonian start-up ecosystem and its evolving shift toward deep-tech innovation. Drawing on the University of Tartu’s approach to research commercialisation—including Proof-of-Concept funding, Entrepreneur-in-Residence roles, Science-to-Business training, and the newly launched Innovation Scout Network—her talk reflects on the ongoing challenge of bridging the execution gap between promising research ideas and entrepreneurial action.
Pedro Pedrosa (ITQB-NOVA, Portugal) will introduce the Innovalley Proof of Concept (PoC) Fund, a place-based funding initiative created in partnership with the Municipality of Oeiras and local research institutions. Designed to overcome the “valley of death” between academic research and application, the program supports early-stage projects in life sciences and sustainability through milestone-driven funding and international evaluation. The talk will highlight the program’s design, implementation, and early outcomes as a catalyst for regional innovation.
Together, these presentations will explore complementary strategies—from institutional support mechanisms to regional funding instruments—that help transform research excellence into impactful innovation within emerging ecosystems.
This webinar is organised by the BioMedical SIG. Join the BioMedical SIG to stay tuned.
There was ample opportunity to learn from colleagues through the workshop sessions or more formally through speakers either sharing their years of experience or their state of the art research. Well worth attending.
John Gleeson
University of Limerick, Ireland
Great atmosphere to learn and to share experiences.
Maria Ruiz Novales
Interface-Enterprises - University of Liege, Belgium
Technology transfer is ever changing and a key piece for the competitiveness of your institution, this course is an excellent tool to prepare yourself for that challenge.
Ricardo Castro
Centre for research in agricultural Genomics, Spain
This course offers an opportunity to meet likeminded people, share tips and tricks, and dive into different approaches to help you set up and improve KTO processes.
Brechtje Vreenegoor
Radboud University, Netherlands
Good opportunity to discuss common issues with fellow professionals and to get updates about the community.
Giuseppe Visimberga
Leiden University, Netherlands
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