Entrepreneurship for PhD Students

PhD Course at IT University (ITU)

Type of Activity: PhD Workshop, One-day course

Title: Entrepreneurship for PhD Students: From Research to Startup

Organizer(s): Nikolaj Oppermann, Christian Marcus, ITU Business Development A/S

Lecturer(s and speakers): Christian Marcus, Nikolaj Oppermann, Jonas Arnold Jürgensen-Breum, Co-founder & CEO of VenomAid, and Co-founder at Agrobiomics

Date of the Course: 10 April 2025

Deadline for application 31 March 2025

Time: 9:00 – 17:00

Room: 2F14

Registration link: No longer available (Deadline has passed)

Course Description:

This one-day course offers PhD students the tools and perspectives necessary to think like entrepreneurs within their academic fields. Through a mix of lectures, workshops, and discussions, students will explore how their research can be applied beyond academia, creating impact in society and the marketplace.

The goal is to equip researchers with the frameworks and critical thinking skills to recognize and explore entrepreneurial opportunities rather than to turn them into startup founders.

As preparation, students will be asked to read the materials recommended and reflect on potential applications of their current research in non-academic contexts. By the end of the day, participants will have a deeper understanding of how to identify commercial opportunities, assess the societal impact of their work, how to create value in organizations, and apply entrepreneurial thinking to their research.

Learning Objectives:

Explore how your research can create impact – Identify commercial, societal, and academic opportunities within your field.
Get introduced to key entrepreneurial tools – Learn practical frameworks like Lean Startup to uncover new possibilities for your research.
Expand your career opportunities – Gain insights to publish articles, write papers, and prepare for roles beyond academia.
Learn from real-life success stories – Hear from a Danish startup founder who turned research into a thriving business.

Reading List

Ash Maurya, “Love the Problem, Not Your Solution” https://www.leanfoundry.com/articles/love-the-problem-not-your-solution Focuses on the importance of understanding the underlying problem before jumping to solutions, a key concept in lean methodology.
What is a Lean Canvas? https://www.leanfoundry.com/articles/what-is-lean-canvas An introduction to the Lean Canvas, a streamlined tool for mapping out business models, especially useful for researchers considering commercialization.
"Are You Solving the Right Problems?" – Harvard Business Review https://hbr.org/2017/01/are-you-solving-the-right-problems This article explores problem-solving approaches and highlights methods to ensure that you're addressing the most impactful issues.
"What is a Business Model?" – Investopedia https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/businessmodel.asp A comprehensive overview of business models, their components, and their role in a successful business.

"The Basics of Open Innovation" – InnovationManagement.se https://innovationmanagement.se/2009/11/07/the-basics-of-open-innovation/ Introduces the concept of open innovation and explains how leveraging external ideas can enhance innovation processes and societal impact.
Discusses strategies for creating effective business models that can sustain innovation and drive success.
"How to Design a Winning Business Model" – Harvard Business Review
https://hbr.org/2011/01/how-to-design-a-winning-business-model

Time	Activity	Description
09:00 - 09:15	Welcome and Introduction	Introduction to the course and goals for the day. Overview of the startup ecosystem in Denmark.
09:15 - 10:15	Lecture 1: Introduction to Entrepreneurship	An overview of entrepreneurship fundamentals, including ideation, business model generation, market research, and funding. Introduction to the Research Commercialization Canvas to guide students in identifying commercialization potential.
10:15 - 10:30	Coffee Break	Networking and informal discussions.
10:30 - 12:00	Workshop 1: From Research Idea to Business Idea	Interactive group work where students utilize the Research Commercialization Canvas to explore how their research can provide financial or societal value. Guidance from mentors will be provided.
12:00 - 13:00	Lunch Break	Opportunity for networking and informal discussions.
13:00 - 14:00	Inspiration Talk: Denmark-Based Startup Founder	A talk by a successful startup founder. Speaker: Jonas Arnold Jürgensen-Breum sharing insights and lessons from his entrepreneurial journeys.
14:00 - 15:30	Workshop 2: Love the Problem	Discussion of Ash Maurya's article, "Love the Problem, Not Your Solution" (Read here), emphasizing the importance of understanding the underlying problem before jumping to solutions. Students will iterate their Research Commercialization Canvas based on insights from the talk and feedback.
15:30 - 15:45	Coffee Break	Informal networking and discussions.
15:45 - 16:30	Final Session: Presenting Research in a Commercial Perspective	Students will present their research in a commercial perspective using their Research Commercialization Canvas, followed by group discussions and feedback.
16:30 - 17:00	Wrap-Up and Reflections	Summary of the day, key takeaways, and next steps for students.

Prerequisites:

None, although an interest in entrepreneurship and innovation is encouraged.

Assessment:

Students will be assessed on their participation in the workshops, and their ability to present a research-driven business idea.

Credits:

1 ECTS Point

Number of Participants:

Expected 10-20 PhD students.