Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Research Adventure Podcast

In this conversation, Mark Zwinderman shares his experiences and insights from his journey spinning out a company from Napier University, discussing the challenges faced, lessons learned, and the evolution of support for startups over the past 25 years. He emphasises the importance of empathy, curiosity, and resilience in entrepreneurship, while also addressing common mistakes made by founders. Mark highlights the significance of engaging with the market early, the need for effective negotiation with universities, and the importance of building strong founding teams. He also discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the Scottish ecosystem and offers practical advice for policymakers and universities to enhance commercialisation efforts.

In this conversation, Mariana Fazenda shares her academic journey from biotechnology to her current role as a Programme Manager at EIT Food. She discusses her experience with the University of Strathclyde spin-out ENOUGH (formerly 3FBio), which originated from a bag of expired wheat, and the challenges and successes in commercialisation. Mariana emphasises the importance of supportive environments, building trust, and creating a research culture that supports commercialisation. She also reflects on her time at the University of Cambridge and offers insights into improving the commercialisation support system in the UK.

In this episode, Marcos Villeda Hernandez shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, detailing his academic background in nanoscience and the founding of PhotoClear, a startup focused on wastewater treatment. The idea for PhotoClear emerged during the pandemic, driven by a desire to address real-world problems. Marcos rallied a group of like-minded friends and colleagues to join a “business club”, meeting regularly to pitch ideas and selecting the best one through collaboration.  He discusses the challenges and triumphs of building a business, the importance of networking, and the lessons learned from transitioning from a PhD to a CEO. Marcos emphasises the significance of taking action, understanding market needs, and the impact of innovation on society.

In this episode of The Research Adventure podcast, Joanna Butler, founder and CEO of MyEmploy, shares her journey from academia to entrepreneurship. She discusses the development of MyEmploy, a web-based employability assessment tool designed to support disadvantaged job seekers. Jo reflects on her academic background, the challenges of the commercialisation process, and the importance of having a dedicated team. She emphasises the need for transparency in the commercialisation process and the significance of delivering positive change through her work. Jo also highlights the importance of market engagement and the need for quick-moving opportunities to sustain business growth.

In this conversation, Veronica Greco shares her journey from academia to the startup world, detailing her experiences in synthetic biology and her role as COO of CDOT Bio. She discusses the innovative approaches her company is taking to revolutionise agriculture through sustainable practices, the challenges of transitioning from an interesting technology to a viable business, and the importance of understanding market needs. Veronica reflects on her cultural background, her entrepreneurial spirit, and the impact she aims to achieve through her work.

In this conversation, Holly Reeve, CEO of HydRegen, shares her journey from academia to leading a deep tech startup focused on making chemical manufacturing cleaner and more sustainable. She discusses the importance of recognising commercial opportunities, the challenges of transitioning from an academic to a commercial mindset, and the critical role of leadership and team dynamics in a startup environment. Holly also reflects on her experiences with funding, mentorship, and the impact of government support on commercialisation efforts.

In this opening episode, host Zach Sorrells introduces The Research Adventure Podcast, an initiative of The Research Adventure – a purpose-driven business on a mission to unlock the untapped commercial potential of university research. Zach shares the motivation behind the podcast and what listeners can expect from the season ahead.

The podcast is designed to spark conversation and insight around the complex journey of research commercialisation. Each episode features in-depth discussions with academic entrepreneurs working at the intersection of discovery and innovation.

Rachel Clark, co-founder of The Research Adventure, produces the series and supports the development and delivery of each episode.