EIT Digital has unveiled two ambitious programmes, SPIN Explore and SPIN Rise, aimed at empowering researchers with the tools and knowledge needed to bring their groundbreaking ideas to market, potentially transforming the continent's deep tech landscape.
Europe's research prowess is well-established, with the region accounting for a significant share of global scientific publications and highly cited papers. However, the continent has long struggled to translate this academic excellence into commercial success. With only three EU research institutions ranked among the global top 50, compared to 31 in the US and 18 in China, the need for a catalyst to bridge the lab-to-market gap has never been more pressing.
Enter SPIN Explore, a five-week online course designed to introduce researchers to the fundamentals of commercialization. Set to run from October 22nd to November 19th, 2024, the programme covers essential topics ranging from entrepreneurship basics to intellectual property strategies. It's a crash course in turning scientific breakthroughs into marketable innovations, aimed at researchers at any stage of their careers.
With a curriculum that covers everything from understanding intellectual property rights to crafting compelling stories for non-scientific audiences, SPIN Explore equips participants with the skills needed to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape. Modules like "Storytelling for Scientists" and "Know Your IP Rights" provide valuable insights into how to communicate scientific ideas to broader audiences and protect intellectual property.
"SPIN Explore and SPIN Rise are key to turning Europe’s research excellence into market-leading innovations. By equipping researchers with entrepreneurial tools and connecting them to our pan-European network, we’re helping close the gap between lab discoveries and commercial success," says Sergio Balassone, Head of Unipreneurship at EIT Digital.
For those ready to take the next step, SPIN Rise offers a more intensive, three-month hybrid programme.
SPIN Rise provides access to top-tier training from industry experts, venture builders, and IP professionals. Participants also become part of EIT Digital’s pan-European network, unlocking new collaboration and funding opportunities. The programme's ultimate goal is to help researchers understand the business potential of their ideas, equipping them with the skills to drive innovation in deep tech sectors.
These programmes address the critical need for better technology transfer mechanisms between academia and industry in Europe. By empowering researchers with entrepreneurial tools, EIT Digital’s SPIN programmes could very well be the answer to Europe’s commercialization challenge.
Whether you’re just starting your journey with SPIN Explore or ready for the deep dive with SPIN Rise, EIT Digital is offering the resources and network to transform breakthrough ideas into market-ready innovations.
