This tutorial is crucial for young researchers as it equips them with the entrepreneurial mindset and practical skills to transform their AI research into successful startups. This is particularly important in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, where AI is a key driver of innovation and economic growth.

Understanding the commercialisation pathways and the journey from research to market is essential for young researchers. This tutorial provides them with the tools to navigate these pathways effectively, ensuring their innovations can make a real-world impact. By focusing on early-stage market validation, proof of concept design, and the role of institutional ecosystems, the tutorial helps researchers build a strong foundation for their startups.

This initiative aligns perfectly with the European Union's vision to establish Europe as a global AI development and application leader. The EU AI Champions Initiative aims to mobilise talent and capital, accelerate AI adoption, and increase the competitiveness of European companies. By fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among young researchers, this tutorial supports the EU's goal of creating a robust AI ecosystem to drive economic progress and strategic autonomy.

Ultimately, the tutorial empowers young researchers to bring their AI innovations to market and contributes to the broader objective of positioning Europe at the forefront of the global AI landscape. This synergy between individual entrepreneurial success and collective European leadership in AI underscores the importance of such educational initiatives.

The tutorial will span half-day. A provisional programme for the activities is provided below.

Welcome and Introduction

• Introduction 

• Scope of the session 

• Learning outcomes 

Commercialisation Pathways

Researchers often begin their work within institutions, and their first challenge is to identify and validate potential commercialisation pathways. While the majority of researchers spin out using a company, there are a few other options that could potentially align better. If we were to look at the cycle, we would need to start here at the Pathways. 

• Overview of 3 typical pathways (Licensing, collaboration / partnership, spinout (startup))

• 3 Case Studies discussion.

• Other options outside the main pathways.

Exercise for the group 

• The group will be given 5 scenarios of different researchers within different areas from AI to quantum to engineering. 

• The group will be asked to vote on most obvious commercialisation pathway. 

• Audience to provide some opinions on why such pathways will be suitable. 

Commercialisation journey step by step 

This session would focus on the different validation elements researchers need to consider, theoretically or practically. We would cover proof of concept design, early-stage market validation, while still within a research institution, and the frameworks used by top universities—Cambridge Enterprise is a strong example. 

• Translation of research to problem solving solutions 

• Overview of how the journey could look 

• Early market validation 

• Testing the Market 

• Developing the Proof of Concept 

• Type of funding to undertake the Journey 

Break

Navigating Institutional Ecosystems 

Since most early-stage researchers operate within university environments, they must understand how to work with technology transfer offices and industry partners. This session could include case studies from institutions like Leuven University and examples from the UK, showcasing how researchers transition from academia to commercialisation. 

• Key stakeholders (TTOs, KEMs, Universities, Industry)

• Roles on the journey we introduced above 

• What is the typical process for institutional approvals?

• What are they critical elements researchers should be prepared to address?  

• 3 case studies – showcasing the various scenarios and roles researchers can take in spinouts 

From Research to Business 

The final component should focus on what happens after the research has been validated within an institution and there is a decision to spin it out as a business. We'd cover the fundamentals of forming a company, assembling an early-stage team, business models, and fundraising for a spinout.

• What happens when a spinout is incorporated?

• What are the typical phases early-stage companies will undertake to survive?

• Year 1 – Year 5  a typical journey and how the team, product and focus changes in a spinout

• How spinouts get funded and options in Europe?

• 3 case studies 

Q&A & Reviewing Learning Outcomes