Spin It Off: From Student Project/Academic Research to Tech Venture

Spin It Off: From Student Project/Academic Research to Tech Venture

By Brubotics (VUB)

Discover how to turn your research or student project into a real-world tech venture through talks, workshops & networking.

Date and time

Location

ICAB Incubator

4 Rue des Pères Blancs 1040 Bruxelles Belgium

Agenda

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Opening remarks

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM

Panel Talk: How I started - From Lab to Launch


Hear real stories from spin-off founders, researchers, and coaches about how they turned academic ideas into successful tech ventures.

2:15 PM - 2:45 PM

Coffee Break

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM

Parallel sessions: Workshop or Guest Speaker


Dive into focused parallel sessions where you can choose between interactive workshops—developing your idea, defining your value proposition, or practicing your pitch—or insightful expert talks explo...

3:45 PM - 4:15 PM

Creative Challenge


Team up with fellow participants to tackle a realistic startup challenge—brainstorm, prototype, and pitch your solution in a fun, fast-paced session that puts creativity and collaboration to the test.

4:15 PM - 4:45 PM

Live Idea Check


Three teams pitch their freshly developed ideas to a panel of founders, coaches, and researchers who share quick, constructive feedback to help turn early concepts into viable ventures.

4:45 PM - 6:00 PM

Drinks & Fingerfood


Wrap up the day with informal networking over drinks and finger food—a relaxed moment to connect with fellow innovators, founders, and researchers, exchange ideas, and spark future collaborations.

Good to know

Highlights

  • 5 hours 30 minutes
  • all ages
  • In person
  • Doors at 12:30 PM

About this event

Business • Startups

Have you ever wondered if your research, student project, or bold idea could become more than just theory? Could it be the start of a real-world tech solution—or even a startup?

This event is for you if…

  • You’re a student with a prototype, a side project, or simply an interest in tech innovation.
  • You’re a PhD researcher curious about whether your work could lead to a spin-off.
  • You’re an early-career academic who wants to create impact beyond publications.
  • Or maybe you’re just someone with big ideas and a curious mind, looking to explore the world of entrepreneurship.

No business degree required, no pressure to pitch—just a chance to learn, connect, and get inspired.

What to expect
This half-day event brings together researchers, founders, and coaches to help you explore the path from academia to entrepreneurship. You’ll get:

  • 🎤 Panel Talk – Hear first-hand stories from spin-off founders, innovation experts, and researchers who made the leap.
  • 🛠 Interactive Workshops – Practical sessions where you can work on ideas, value propositions, and startup essentials.
  • 💡 Creative Business Challenge – Team up to solve a fictional but realistic startup problem and pitch your solution.
  • 🤝 Networking Drinks – Close the day with finger food, drinks, and new connections in the Brussels entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Whether you’re taking your very first step into tech entrepreneurship or exploring how to make your research matter outside the lab, this event will give you tools, stories, and contacts to help you spin it off.

BruBotics is organizing this event to inspire students and researchers to turn their academic work into real-world impact. With several successful spin-offs and a strong track record in research-driven innovation, BruBotics aims to bridge the gap between lab and market—helping curious minds take their first steps toward tech entrepreneurship.

Frequently asked questions

Organized by

Brubotics (VUB)

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Free
Nov 24 · 1:00 PM GMT+1