In August 2025, ReproUnion-affiliated researchers joined the BII Summer School, which is an intensive program designed to guide researchers on the journey from science to commercialisation.
Over one week, the participants explored everything from building teams and business cases to navigating regulations and pitching to investors. By blending expert lectures with practical exercises, the course equipped the participants with insights and tools, which they can put directly into practice.
“The Summer School gave a clear view of what it really takes to start a company, not only the exciting parts of building something new, but also the less glamorous rules and regulations that need to be navigated to get a product to the market. The whole program was smooth, professional, and inspiring,” commented Tanni Borgbo, PhD at the Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Rigshospitalet.
Commercialisation challenges academic habits
A key take away was that commercialisation may require rethinking academic habits, for example, seeking patent advice before publishing.
“Coming from academia, I have been trained to focus on conducting research and publishing results as widely as possible. This course made me realize that if you generate an idea with commercial potential, supported by solid data, it may be more strategic to seek professional advice and consider filing a patent before publishing,” explained Jesús Cadenas, PhD at the Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Rigshospitalet.
Other key takeaways were that networking with peers and investors provides invaluable perspectives and opportunities and that success depends as much on the team as on the idea.
“I was most surprised by how crucial the team is for success… This course broadened the way I think about translating science into real-world impact,” concluded Jesús Cadenas.
Looking ahead
Overall, the participants recommended the BII Summer School, describing it as insightful, motivating, and a great mix of learning and networking.
If you missed it in 2025, don’t worry! Keep an eye out for the next round in 2026. Until then, check out what BII has to offer in entrepreneurship education, and enjoy reading their latest white papers HERE.
Practical Note: PhD students can also apply to receive ECTS credits for the Summer School by registering it as an external course with their PhD school, submitting the required information together with the course certificate.
