63 researchers with sights set on innovation this fall
A record number of researchers have joined the KTH Innovation Discovery program, a program for researchers who are curious about innovation. Sixty-three participants will meet seven times this fall to learn more and explore the potential of their own research.
Among the participants in this semester's Discovery program are 5 professors, 13 postdoctoral fellows, and 37 PhD students. The EECS and CBH schools have the most representatives, with 21 and 20 participants respectively. 51% of the participants are women and 49% are men.
Led by two KTH alumni turned business coaches
Eva Halén and Fredrik Jansson, who both studied at KTH and now work as business development coaches at KTH Innovation lead the program. Fredrik has founded several companies, and Eva has a background in business and has, among other things, been CEO of Electrolux Home and the research-based startup Ebba Biotech.
- The participants in the program come from many different departments at KTH, says Fredrik. Here they get to meet other researchers and see their research in a new context. Many of the former participants have said that the program has enriched their research and given them greater motivation to go to work. That's a big bonus!
Open and engaged participants
On seven occasions during the autumn semester, the participants meet to take part in workshops on innovation development, both on Zoom and physically in KTH Innovation's premises. They have started with digging deeper into what impact and innovation really is, and how they can communicate their research so that people understand and want to know more.
- The best thing about the Discovery program is that the participants are so open and engaged, says Eva Halén. They are incredibly competent in their field, but here they are exploring a new side of themselves and their research. We try to create a safe place for everyone.
Don't need an idea to start the program
Participants in the Discovery program do not need to have a specific idea on how they could create impact with their research. However, everyone gets the chance to sit down for a meeting with a business development coach to dive deeper into their results and see new opportunities for applications in society.
- I often get ideas for things I could develop, but I don’t have any previous experience, says one of the participants, Eftychia Ntostoglou, PhD student at the Department of Energy Technology at KTH. I thought this would be a good opportunity to explore my ideas further. Even if nothing comes of it, it's good to start exploring the topic.
Imane Bayane, who is a Postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, wants to take her research to the market in the future.
- I know my research and my technology, but I don’t know how to start a company, she says. In the program, we test different ways of talking about our research and share feedback with each other. We get to use parts of our personality that we don't use in our research.
More to come
The upcoming workshops will cover topics such as how to combine entrepreneurship and research, what roles are needed in a startup team and much more. Eftychia Ntostoglou is looking forward to the continuation.
- I like the informal nature, the energy of the workshop leaders and that it is concentrated and not too heavy. If we want to dive deeper into a topic, there are resources to take advantage of at KTH Innovation. I look forward to taking part of the rest of the workshop!
Text: Lisa Bäckman
