Doctoral Seminar “Entrepreneurship & Technology Transfer in the Life Sciences”

What’s waiting for you?

• What is entrepreneurship, and am I the right type for it?
• The role of startups in life sciences
• How to build a startup: Step-by-step guidance of fundamentals of technology transfer
• Understanding the "business world"
• Discussion and Q&A session with doctoral student and startup founder Robin Allert (Startup: QTAS & Quantum Diamonds)
• Discussion and Q&A session with investor Maximilian Schwarz from Nucleus Capital about do’s and don’ts of successful fundraising.

From 5pm there will be an optional visit of a Pitch Event, where Biotech Startup pitch their ideas in front of investors.

Format

• 1-day seminar, 8h time commitment, held in person
• In German (English available in the future in case of demand)
• Organizer: Graduate Center of Life Sciences
• Max 15 participants

Teaching Methods

• Lecture-based introduction to theoretical fundamentals
• Discussions in plenary and small groups
• Collaborative work on real and hypothetical startup challenges with examples from Biotechnology

Learning Objectives

Acquire Knowledge

• Fundamentals of academic entrepreneurship
• Specifics of startups and tech transfer in the life sciences
• Step-by-step guide to the basics of a university spin-off: market assessment, patent application, fundraising, team & mentors, support opportunities, exit strategies, and more

Acquire Skills

• Understanding economic fundamentals
• Identifying the transfer potential of own research
• Exploring personal suitability for entrepreneurship
• Understanding the "business world" (industry, startups, business professionals)

Relevance of the Seminar for Doctoral Researcher:

• The knowledge gained is valuable for all career paths: academia, industry, and startups.
• Enhances one's own research by providing insights into alternative funding opportunities and improving communication skills.
• No IP concerns – discussions are not based on personal intellectual property.

Participation and Technical Requirements or Preparations

• None

Trainer

Laurin Waldmann supports 15+ life science startups and TUM spin-offs as Program Manager at TUM Venture Labs and conducts research in the field of academic entrepreneurship. Previously, he worked at Bristol Myers Squibb in Munich and London. He studied Molecular Biotechnology at TUM, Harvard Medical School, and Nanyang Technological University.

Contact

Questions? Email laurin.waldmann@tum.de

If you would like this course to be offered in ENGLISH, please email laurin.waldmann@tum.de to be added to the waiting list.

The course is open to all doctoral students of TUM.