A free, career-boosting workshop is now on offer to early-mid career researchers and late stage PhD students from the science, health and social sciences who wish to turn their research into an ethical, commercial enterprise.
Not all scientists are business people and yet there is an increasing expectation that they should have entrepreneurial savvy.
This is because their work has the potential to improve quality of life and generate prosperity and wellbeing across the community: all it needs is a platform to be heard, an articulate voice and stakeholders willing to invest.
From 20-24 November 2017, the Technology Transfer Workshop will give early-mid career scientists and late stage PhD students a rare and exclusive opportunity to learn about the commercialisation process in a supportive, experiential environment.
But this is no ordinary ‘venture start-up’ program.
Unlike other courses in technology transfer for the sciences, which primarily focus on grants and venture capital as revenue streams, this workshop will also cover alternative streams of investment.
New ways to bring ideas to market
David Addis, Head of the Financial Institutions Group Banks and Non-Banks at National Australia Bank (NAB), will discuss recent developments in the investing market and expose participants to a more a diverse range of investment clients whose interests are aligned with scientific endeavour.
These clients may include organisations beyond the traditional large superannuation fund such as high net worth individuals, as well as ‘Mum and Dad’ or everyday investors.
Different types of investors are interested in different types of risks and returns.
David will look at which types of ideas might suit different investors, using recent innovations such as social impact bonds as examples.
The developing investment market may provide scientists with new investment options that they may not have considered before.
This is what makes this workshop unique and powerful for those researchers ready to explore the commercial potential of their research.
Core aims of the workshop
In addition to exploring new investment markets, the workshop will help participants to:
- articulate the business potential in their research
- choose a business model and identify funding alternatives
- build a business case for one of their current research projects
- map out their own commercialisation path from ‘concept’ to ‘commodity’
- formulate a persuasive business presentation for potential investors
- understand the patenting and licencing process
Unlike other programs that focus on research commercialisation, this workshop will focus less on delivering a ‘whizz bang pitch’ and more on the background work required to build a strong business case.
This includes developing a network, understanding intellectual property law, sourcing practical support, and choosing the funding option that is aligned with the prospects of the research.
Underlying the workshop is the belief that global citizenship and profitability are not mutually exclusive concepts, and that research-based enterprise can be sustainable and profitable at the same time.
The workshop will feature a range of sessions led by national and international experts in intellectual property, commercial law, marketing and public speaking.
Presenters will include Gary Morgan from the MPT Innovation Group and Nadine Schmeider-Galfe from Technische Universität Dresden.
Nadine co-ran the International Summer School on Technology Transfer in Life Sciences in Germany earlier this year.
Applications for the Technology Transfer Workshop close 6 November 2017.
For more information and to apply, visit the Technology Transfer Workshop webpage.