How do you turn scientific research into a company? Where’s the right place to start? And once you’ve started, how do you get your idea funded at the earliest stage?

Join Conception X to meet and learn from academic founders who have successfully translated their research into companies creating real-world impact. You’ll hear first-hand about how they navigated the transition from scientist to founder, how they decided when their research was ready to build on, the strategies they used to secure their first grant or investment, and more.

If you're a researcher wondering whether now is the right time to build something, come and find out.

We are bringing together an ambitious community of entrepreneurial scientists, researchers, academic founders and industry innovators in Dublin.What you'll get:

  • First-hand insights into how scientific research can evolve into a venture, and the journey to get there

  • The opportunity to meet people who are actively building and supporting science companies across Europe and the UK

  • Insights and advice from founders who moved from research into entrepreneurship

  • Networking with researchers, founders and industry leaders shaping European innovation

This event is for:

  • PhDs, postdocs, early-career researchers, engineers and academics curious about entrepreneurship

  • University TTOs, PIs and innovation managers who want to stay informed about researchers’ activities in the innovation ecosystem

  • Industry leaders and ecosystem builders interested in science-driven innovation

About the organisers:

Conception X is the home for Europe’s venture scientists. Since launching in 2018, Conception X has supported more than 800 PhDs, postdocs and early-career researchers from 91 universities to launch over 200 science companies that have raised £200+ million in investment and grants. Their £1 billion portfolio includes Rahko, Solve Intelligence, Humanloop and Infinitopes.

NovaUCD, named by the Financial Times as one of Europe’s Leading Start-Up Hubs for the last three years in a row, has been nurturing and supporting high-tech start-ups with global potential since 2003.

During the last 20+ years NovaUCD has developed an excellent and expanded infrastructure and a suite of comprehensive business support programmes, dedicated accelerator programmes, and an ecosystem of mentors, investors and industry partners that help to nurture an enthusiastic and dynamic community of start-ups and established companies, to grow and scale on the global stage.

Enterprise Ireland is the Irish government’s enterprise development agency, supporting and investing in Irish-owned companies to help them scale and become global leaders in their field. Their network of 40 international offices supports companies to develop high-growth strategies, enter new markets, and deliver innovative and sustainable solutions.