Empowering Innovation: “Leveraging Research for Startup Success” Event

• November 2, 2023

An event named as “Leveraging Research(ers) for Startup Success,” is set to explore the profound impact of researchers on startup innovation. The event, organized by the RAISE team, is designed to shed light on the invaluable role of researchers in driving real-world impact, innovation, and talent development within the startup ecosystem.

Session 1: The Researcher’s Impact on Startup Innovation (Nov 3, 2023)

The first session, titled “The Researcher’s Impact on Startup Innovation,” will kick off at 13:00 CET. The event can be accessed via Zoom if you register here.

Agenda:

• 13:00 – Welcome to the session “The Researcher’s Impact on Startup Innovation” Presentation of the All 4 Sessions Program (5 minutes) – Presented by the RAISE Team
• 13:05 – The RAISE Project – The Development of a New and Sustainable Integrated Support Framework for Startups (15 minutes) by RAISE Team
• 13:20 – “The Researcher’s Impact on Startup Innovation” – Adriana Bankston (15-20 minutes)

Topics to be covered in Adriana Bankston’s presentation:

• A journey from bench scientist to policy entrepreneur, emphasizing the critical role of researchers in pushing the boundaries of knowledge and innovation.
• Highlighting the problem-solving skills and creative thinking that researchers bring to the table.
• Exploring how showcasing research discoveries more broadly can bridge the gap between research and real-world applications.
• Providing examples of how research can be translated into practical solutions that benefit society.
• Sharing her experience in leading a non-profit and taking on entrepreneurial roles, and how entrepreneurship and startups can be a catalyst for turning research into impactful solutions.

About the speaker: Adriana Bankston

Adriana Bankston is a former bench scientist turned science policy expert, with a wealth of experience in research and academic policy changes within university settings. Her career has been dedicated to showcasing research discoveries on a broader scale. Notably, Adriana has also led a non-profit organization and held various entrepreneurial roles, connecting with professionals worldwide.

Adriana’s current role as a senior fellow in science policy with the Federation of American Scientists showcases her expertise in policy entrepreneurship. Her work at this non-profit mirrors the dynamic nature of a startup, making her well-equipped to discuss the convergence of science and policy.

Based in Washington, DC, USA, Adriana is ideally positioned to offer valuable insights into research-powered innovation, real-world impact, and the art of building strategic partnerships and talent scouting. Her diverse background and passion for research make her a dynamic speaker for discussions surrounding innovation, collaboration, and talent development.

To learn more about Adriana:

Website: adrianabankston.com.

Biography: https://fas.org/expert/adriana-bankston/

Roundtable Discussion: The Researcher’s Impact on Startup Innovation (Nov 3, 2023)

The event will also feature a roundtable discussion, where all participants will engage in a thought-provoking conversation on the topic “The Researcher’s Impact on Startup Innovation.” The discussion will touch upon various crucial aspects, including how researchers contribute to startups, specific contributions they make, challenges faced in collaboration, effective leveraging of research expertise, and best practices to maximize the researcher’s impact on startup innovation.

The impact of researchers on startup innovation is undeniable, and this event promises to provide valuable insights into the symbiotic relationship between researchers and startups.

Session 2: Building Bridges: Connecting Entrepreneurs, Investors, and Research Talents: Bridging the Gap (Nov 6, 2023)

The event will continue with a second session on November 6, titled “Building Bridges: Connecting Entrepreneurs and Research Talent.” This session aims to delve into the critical aspects of connecting entrepreneurs with research talent to drive innovation.

Agenda

• 13:00 – Welcome to the session “Connecting Entrepreneurs, Investors, and Research Talents: Bridging the Gap”
• 13:05 – The RAISE Project – First session recap  (5-10 minutes) by Adriana Bankston
• 13:20 – Connecting Entrepreneurs and Research Talent – Adriana Bankston  (15 minutes)

Topics to be covered in Adriana Bankston’s presentation:

• Navigating the Intersection: The Role of Research Talent in Startup Success
• Unlocking Opportunities: The Dynamics of Entrepreneur-Researcher Collaboration
• Fostering Talent: Strategies for Talent Development in Research
• Policy Entrepreneurship: Shaping Research, Innovation, and Startups

• 13:35 – Q&A Session (5 minutes)
• 13:40 – Connecting startups with investors or commercial development opportunities – Juan Fuentes Fernandez  (15 minutes)

In this presentation, we will cover:

• The significance of cross-border investments in supporting startups to expand internationally.
  Exploring the potential of foreign smart capital to facilitate the commercial market entry for startups.
  Leveraging experts in international business development for startup growth.
• How thought leadership and content creation can serve as powerful tools to promote both shares and products for startups.
  Strategies for effectively utilising content to boost visibility and drive business growth in the startup ecosystem.

About the speaker: Juan Fuentes Fernández

Juan Fuentes Fernández Representative for LALIGA in the Nordic Countries | Entertainment & Sports Senior Expert

Location: Copenhagen, Capital Region, Denmark

Juan Fuentes Fernández, based in Copenhagen, is a seasoned expert in global entertainment and sports management with a comprehensive skill set that includes strategy, international business development, PR & Comms, brand and activation management, project and people management, market research, and CSR.

With a truly global perspective and professional experience across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas, Juan’s career journey highlights his remarkable achievements and contributions.

Professional Experience:

• LALIGA Delegate for the Nordic Countries (2021-Present): Appointed by LALIGA, the Spanish football league, to lead its growth strategy in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland.
• LALIGA Delegate for the Middle East (2017-2021): Spearheaded LALIGA’s expansion in Egypt, Sudan, and Libya, delivering a successful growth strategy.
• Editor at Oxford Business Group (Philippines): Analyzed emerging economies in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Trade and Investment Advisor for the Embassy of Spain: Represented Spanish interests in Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Djibouti.
• Academic Involvement: Conducted research and co-authored a Working Paper for Harvard Business School on LALIGA’s strategic development. Served as an instructor and master thesis supervisor in various programs and universities across Spain and Europe, specializing in sports management. Delivered keynote speeches at conferences aligning with his expertise.
• Angel Investor: Invests in sports and entertainment-related startups with a focus on industry validation and expansion. Avoids investments in projects or companies collaborating with LALIGA or seeking his organization’s collaboration.
• Multidisciplinary Project Coordination: Managed diverse teams for award-winning projects, including the Spanish-Arabic football dictionary by the Instituto Cervantes and LALIGA, which received the “Publication of the Year 2021” award in Spain. Led an international team of professionals.
• Recognition: Shortlisted as a winner in Spain’s inaugural Nova 111 list, recognizing outstanding individuals across key economic sectors, particularly in the telecom, media, and entertainment category.
• Social Impact Commitment: Dedicated over a decade to volunteering with various NGOs and is a member of Common Goal, donating 1% of his salary to support social causes.

Areas of Expertise:

• Entertainment & Sports Management
• International Business Development
• Strategy and Market Research
• PR & Comms
• Brand and Activation Management
• Project and People Management
• CSR Initiatives
• Academic Instruction and Keynote Speaking
• Angel Investment
• Multilingual and Multicultural Proficiency

Juan Fuentes Fernández brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to making a significant impact across the entertainment, sports, and social impact sectors.

14:00 – 15:00 – Roundtable Discussion with all participants on the Topic: “Connecting Entrepreneurs, Investors, and Research Talents: Bridging the Gap”

 Topics for Discussion:

• How to connect entrepreneurs with research talent for startup success?
• Key elements for successful entrepreneur-researcher partnerships?
• Role of networking in linking startups with investors or commercial opportunities.
• Best practices for bridging the gap between startups and potential partners.

Join this transformative event to explore the exciting world of startup innovation, collaboration, and talent development.

Session 3: “Market Research and Data-Driven Decisions” (Nov 15, 2023) – Alexandra Potter-Hnativ, Silent Accelerator, Belgium

• How to conduct market research and develop an innovation funnel?
• Validating ideas with the market and accelerating the process of finding product/market fit for technology-driven startups.
• Data-Driven Insights: Uncover how researchers conduct market research, analyze consumer behavior, and provide startups with data-powered guidance.
• Shaping Startup Strategies: Share instances where research-driven market insights have influenced startup strategies for the better.

About the speaker: Alexandra Potter-Hnativ, Silent Accelerator

Venture Development Director – Venture Studio & Accelerator | Business Angel | 2x Founder

• Prominent player in the European business landscape with expertise in venture capital, marketing strategy, innovation management, and business strategy
• Mentor at Impact Hub Milano, sharing knowledge and expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs
• Co-founder of Silent Agency in 2021, excelling in PR, copywriting, media relations, and marketing communications
• Senior Innovation Consultant at Verhaert Masters in Innovation
• Specialized in retail category insights and data analysis at Anheuser-Busch InBev

Session 4: “Using Technology and Data for Talent Matching” (Nov 16, 2023) – Peter Oraya, Data Scientist and the visionary behind Oxford Aptitude Limited

• “Reshaping Modern Talent Matching: Data Science and Tech Unleash Opportunity in the Competitive Job Market”
• “Data-Driven Revolution in Primary Industries: Unlocking Specialized Skills for Agriculture and Manufacturing“
• “Education’s Tech-Driven Evolution: Transforming Talent Matching with Data Science“
• “Tertiary Industry Makeover: How Data and Tech Are Redefining Talent Scouting in Sports and Entertainment”
• “Evolving Workforce: Perpetual Learning Powered by Data Science and Kimodata“

About the speaker: Peter Oraya, Oxford Aptitude Limited

Expertise in:

• Data { AI, Machine Learning , Story Telling , Big Data, Neural Network, Blockchain, Nanotechnology }
• Innovation { ideation, experimentation , testing , acceleration}