On 16.10.2023, part of our Catalyst for Change sustainability programme took place as part of the “From Top Level Science to Top Level Business” seminar series. The panel talk “From Lab to Legacy” shed light on the topic of sustainable chemistry and its practical transfer and gave participants a platform for dialogue and discussion.
The guests were Prof Dr Kristina Tschulik, to whose Chair of Analytical Chemistry II the Start4Chem Incubator is affiliated. Prof Dr Ulf-Peter Apfel, Chair of Inorganic Chemistry at the RUB and Group Leader at the Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT. Aljoscha Frede from H2UB, a network that brings start-ups together with companies, universities and investors in the field of hydrogen. As well as the start-up teams Hydrogenea and xemX, represented by Dr Pit Podleschny and Dr Lars Banko. Both start-ups are active in the field of (green) hydrogen.
Due to the electrochemical expertise and the panel’s connection to hydrogen, the start-up process from research was highlighted and constructively discussed using the example of hydrogen utilisation as an energy source. The start-up-related panel participants in particular emphasised the opportunities that arise from pursuing an entrepreneurial path in this area, which is also a high political priority. All participants also agreed that the skills acquired by individuals on such a path represent a particularly valuable qualification for the future world of work.
This is where the From Top Level Science to Top Level Business seminar series comes in. The aim is to introduce participating students and scientists from the field of (bio)chemistry to the topic of start-ups at a low threshold and to equip them with important skills and expertise in this area through workshops with various experts. The workshops are designed to be interactive and “hands-on” so that the participants have the opportunity to not only experience the content such as design thinking, prototyping, pitching, but also the conception and implementation of customer interviews or the development of a business model on a theoretical level, but also to apply it directly. With this teaching approach, skills are learnt in a sustainable way.
The skills that participants learn in this way are not only incremental for a potential start-up, but it is also clear that industry and science are increasingly looking for flexible employees trained in interdisciplinary collaboration. Nevertheless, we at Start4Chem are firmly convinced that the future of sustainable chemistry will be significantly influenced and supported by university spin-offs and start-ups from chemical research and are therefore pleased to support interested students and scientists on their way to founding a company.