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.
This is a wonderful conference to expand the horizon of my knowledge of tech transfer and commercialisation.
Seung-Ho Lee
Deltatech-Korea, South Korea
Excellent organisation, multifarious activities, great atmosphere… I can't say enough about how well it is tailored to the needs of technology transfer professions.
Tamara Čolić Milosavljević
Centre of Technology Transfer - University of Belgrade, Serbia
Perfect balance of learning and networking.
Smiljka Vikic-Topic
University of Zagreb, Croatia
Was great to meet counterparts in my profession who may share my experiences, but who may also have other ideas and approaches.
Tim Moser
Netherlands Cancer Institute, Netherlands
The expert-panel discussion educated me in strategic and meritorious choice of inventions to approach investors and manage investment funds for establishing a spin off.
Ram Siddappa
Erasmus MC, Netherlands
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