#E4s - Translating Research Into A Business Model

Join this Masterclass and learn how to build a commercially successfull product/service out of your research. Most researchers excel at discovery but receive little guidance on commercialisation pathways, regulatory navigation, or the creative leaps required to build a company. That is why TU Wien’s i²c incubator has organised the Masterclass “Translating Research into a Business Model”. Drawing on extensive experience in technology transfer, deep-tech venture building and institutional investing, this session equips participants with practical frameworks for thinking outside the conventional academic box, mapping the essential steps from lab to market, and anticipating the regulatory landscape that shapes spin-offs in AI, biotech, health-tech and related fields. Key Takeaways • How to reframe research results into commercially attractive value propositions and spin-off concepts • The critical steps from idea validation and IP strategy through company formation, funding and launch readiness • Key European regulations and compliance considerations that founders must address early • Practical approaches to governance, capital structure and go-to-market planning for deep-tech ventures By combining hands-on expertise in technology transfer, entrepreneurship and venture capital, it offers researchers a comprehensive toolkit to bridge the gap between scientific excellence and successful commercialisation. About the speaker Dr. Astrid Woollard, MSc, LLM is a business builder and operator with end-to-end experience across AI, blockchain, robotics, biotech and institutional investing. As Founder and General Managing Partner of SMAPE Capital she raised a leading Web3 fund, constructed a portfolio of 30+ early-stage companies and guided teams on launch readiness, digital asset utility & economics, IP strategy and regulatory compliance. Previously she held technology-transfer roles at IST Austria, Oxford University Innovation and St George’s University of London, managing large commercialisation portfolios, negotiating licences and co-creating spin-out vehicles. She currently serves on several boards (Digital Assets Association Austria, Fintech Austria, INiTS Investment Advisory Board) and is a mentor and speaker in the European deep-tech and Web3 ecosystems. She holds a PhD from the University of Oxford, Master’s degrees in Microbiology/Genetics (University of Vienna), Intellectual Property Law & Management (University of Strasbourg), and Blockchain & Digital Currency (University of Nicosia), and continues to advise ventures on commercialisation and regulatory strategy. Check Astrid Woollard LinkedIn! About the Entrepreneurship for Scientists Series The Entrepreneurship for Scientists Series organized by the TU Wien Innovation Incubation Center (i²c) is targeting scientists who would like to enrich or develop a personal entrepreneurial skillset & business competencies, know more about opportunities how to navigate innovations from „the lab“ to society or who would simply like to engage in entrepreneurial thinking. These workshops are free of charge to scientists from all faculties and institutes of TU Wien. Registration required. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Important: *During the event, photographic and video material will be taken. Please inform the i²c team at the venue in case you do not agree with appearing in this material. The photographic and video material taken at the event will be used by i²c in printed and electronic media for promotional purposes.