The entrepreneurial potential of researchers

I love working with researchers and supporting them as they turn their innovations into businesses.
What makes researchers great entrepreneurs is that they are highly trained problem solvers, out-of-the-box thinkers with enormous dedication to their work. They have integrity, they want to make an impact, and they know when to let go of a hypothesis. They simply have what it takes.
However, a common characteristic that can obstruct the path to building a successful deep tech startup is something that I would describe as scientific pride.
It shows itself when prototypes are developed out of scientific curiosity, rather than with the customer’s pain points or unit economics in mind. Or when it’s hard to let go of the reins and miss the chance to bring in a co-founder with a business background from the start.
And I have deep empathy for them since I have been there myself.
When I notice these patterns, I don’t try to fight them. Instead, I invite researchers to develop a second, entrepreneurial mindset. It will sometimes feel contradictory to their scientific mindset, but learning to live with that ambivalence is how you grow into a new role. The aim isn’t to kill off the scientist in them, but to direct their brilliant skills onto a path that actually reaches the market.
Stepping out of academia into the business world is a massive leap. Evaluating product-market fit, raising capital, building a team, finding lab space outside of campus, and aligning R&D with commercial goals… building a deep tech business from scratch is scary.
You either need to be very naïve (like I was), or you need a great support system.
If you are still associated with a university, make sure you get in touch with your innovation or tech transfer office. They will help you evaluate your idea and connect you with an expert network to shape and sharpen your spin-off.