RIS4CIVIS Innovation and Start-up Training Programme

You want to discover the innovative potential of your research and learn more about how to turn innovative ideas into a business model? This online course will provide you with substantial knowledge in start-up and innovation topics. In eight modules, you will learn the basics of generating ideas, developing business models, on patent rights and protection issues, and on how to pitch your ideas to investors. The course will be held online and is open to PhD students and Postdocs from all RIS4CIVIS partner universities.

In short

• What: Innovation and Start-up trainings
• When: From 17 November 2023 to 23 February 2024
• Who: Open to PhD students and Postdocs
• Format: Online via Zoom
• Registration: Open from 9 to 25 October 2023

The 8 modules

Ideation | 17 November 2023 - 9:00 to 11:00 CET

In this interactive and hands-on online workshop, we will dive into the world of ideation.

Within three hours, we’ll explore: the different elements of an ideation process; the concept of the problem-solution fit; how to find solutions with the help of innovation guidelines and how to structure ideas.

Trainer: Paul-David Bittner

Design Thinking | 24 November 2023 - 9:00 to 11:00 CET

In this interactive and hands-on online workshop, we will dive into the world of design thinking.

Within three hours, we’ll explore: What is the Design Thinking approach? How to change perspectives & build empathy? How to work in an interdisciplinary and agile manner in a team?

Trainer: Paul-David Bittner

Invention & Innovation | 1 December 2023 - 9:00 to 12:00 CET

This course will allow you to understand the main differences between invention and innovations. It will focus on different kinds and degrees of innovations, the difference between invention and innovation, the question of why to innovate and examples of innovative firms. 

Trainer: Charlie Barla

Business Model Canvas | 8 December 2023 - 9:00 to 12:00 CET

In this module, you will learn about the key aspects of successfully designing and adapting business models for your idea. With the use of the Business Model Canvas tool, you will find out in which ways business projects are similar to the research projects you are currently working on - and in which ways they are different. Our main learning goal is to acquire an understanding of the different types of value creation for early-stage businesses, to see how they evolve over time and to get a hands-on practice that will help you develop your idea further.

Trainer: Mia-Celine Zsohár

From Research to Innovation: protect the results of your research… Why? How? When? | 26 January 2024 - 9:00 to 12:00 CET

This course is an introduction to the steps to protect research results which are a milestone of the knowledge transfer process. Topics that will be addressed amongst others are: intellectual property rights (in particular patents, design protection, copyright…); proof tools such as laboratory notebooks and i-DEPOT procedures; patent criteria and procedures related to filing patent applications; know-how, trade secrets and confidentiality disclosure agreements. This overview of the different possibilities to protect research results will allow participants to identify the most adequate means of protection in their research field. It will also allow them to determine when to get in touch with their Technology Transfer Office during their research and be supported in a process that will lead them from research to innovation.

Trainer: Patrick Di Stefano

Business plan writing |19 January 2024 - 9:00 to 12:00 CET or 9 February 2024 - 9:00 to 12:00 CET

“Business Plan Writing” presents and provides some key information you should have in mind to evaluate your business’s capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses and pinpoint the crucial elements of your competitive environment, including market, economic, and technological factors. Through a list of Q&A, you will learn about: what is a Business Plan?; diagnosing the internal capabilities of a company, customer satisfaction and the external environment; setting goals; developing a sales and revenue, production, organization and management plan, financial, and information technology plans; and, finally, preparing a business plan to raise capital. 

Trainer: Félix-Fernando Muñoz

Entrepreneurial Mindset | 2 February 2024 - 9:00 to 12:00 CET

In this course you will learn more about the concept of an Entrepreneurial Mindset and how to change perspective from being a researcher to becoming an entrepreneur. More information will be added soon.

Trainer: To be announced

Pitch Training | 23 February 2023 - 9:00 to 12:00 CET

This workshop will give you some framework conditions to consider when building a convincing pitch presentation. Even though this is applicable for every presentation, we will give some special attention to the specific features of presenting online. Throughout the training session, you will learn about different types of presentations, build your own storyline and have the chance to get feedback from an interdisciplinary group of peers. Our goal is to strengthen your confidence in presenting - for every occasion, place and target group.  

Trainer: Mia-Celine Zsohár

Contact

Jan Middendorf

Project Coordinator Excellence Strategy | RIS4CIVIS Reinforcing Academia-Business R&I Cooperation

University of Tübingen | Division II – Research, Unit 1 – Research and Excellence Strategy

Rümelinstraße 32 · 72070 Tübingen · Germany

Phone +49 7071 29-76456 - jan.middendorf@uni-tuebingen.de