Entrepreneurship for Scientists

The ‘Entrepreneurship for Scientists’ workshop, hosted at TIFR Hyderabad on May 14-15, 2025, offered early-career researchers a structured introduction to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship with a focus on with a focus on startup ideas grounded in science. This two-day intensive workshop aimed at equipping participants with practical frameworks for translating research into viable ventures. The first day of the workshop focussed on the discovery phase.

Sushmitha Sundar (RICH) opened with an overview of translational research and commercialisation. This was followed by sessions on Design Thinking, led by M.K. Kaushik, which combined theory with hands-on exercises. These sessions emphasized iterative problem-solving and the importance of user needs, essential skills for scientists moving toward application-oriented work. The day concluded with an open discussion on the entrepreneurial journey, featuring Vikas Sahu, who highlighted the uncertainties and strategic decisions involved in startup building.

On the following day, the topics of discussion moved into the development phase. Satya Narayana Reddy introduced the Lean Canvas as a planning tool to help participants articulate the core elements of a business model. Jagadeesh Gandla’s session on Pitching and Storytelling addressed how scientific ideas can be framed for clarity and resonance outside academic contexts. Another interactive discussion, led by Kapardhi Bharadwaj, added perspective from a founder navigating the clean-tech space. The workshop concluded with a pitching session, giving participants the opportunity to turn their workshop insights into a structured and communicable startup concept. Each session was anchored in relevance for researchers aiming to move ideas beyond the lab, offering not only methods but also context for why entrepreneurial thinking is increasingly critical in scientific careers.