IST Austria connected scientists and founders at the Science-Industry Day

How does it work to make the transition from science to industry? How are data or methods turned into a patent or a successful start-up? At the Science Industry Day 2017, organized jointly by the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria) and the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), renowned speakers discussed precisely these questions. The event, which this year was for the first time held as a full-day event, brought together experienced entrepreneurs, young founders, and scientists. The afternoon program featured workshops and flash talks by young founders and businesspeople to strengthen the business skills of young researchers. The evening event gave insights of renowned podium guests on this year’s topic in the panel discussion: Create. Connect. Translate.

Even though only opened eight years ago, IST Austria has already brought forth a considerable number of highly successful alumni who, after working at IST Austria as postdocs or PhD students, have become founders or pursue industry careers. Some of them returned on Wednesday for the Young Scientists’ and Founders’ Afternoon to give inspiring flash talks about their career providing insights into the business world. Two workshops and the key note lectures by Andreas Grassauer, CEO of Marinomed Biotechnologie GmbH, and Alexander von Gabain, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, EIT Knowledge and Innovation Community, rounded off the inspiring afternoon program.

The evening brought the official presentation of IST CUBE, a new advanced technology incubator and seed fund created by IST Austria and a subsidiary of Lansdowne Partners. IST CUBE will support and provide private capital to science and tech based startups. Rupesh Chatwani, Managing Director IST CUBE, and Markus Wanko, Head of Technology Transfer IST Austria and Managing Director of IST CUBE, presented the possibilities IST CUBE offers for founders. In the panel discussion that followed, renowned speakers offered innovative and market-oriented perspectives that allow to add commercial value to scientific research. With more than 200 registered participants, the Raiffeisen Lecture Hall at IST Austria was filled with a highly interested audience.