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Empathetic entrepreneurship Turning chemical innovations into businesses

In an article, published today in Nature Chemical Engineering, a group of experts provides practical insights and a step-by-step guide for aspiring chemical engineers and scientists to turn their innovations into successful businesses. UT professor David Fernandez Rivas highlights how understanding stakeholder needs and market potential from the earliest stages of ideation can turn scientific breakthroughs into impactful technologies.

Chemical engineers are at the forefront of addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from sustainability to energy efficiency. But translating innovations from the lab into successful ventures can be daunting, especially for scientists with limited entrepreneurial experience. Leading voices in chemical engineering and entrepreneurship have joined forces to deliver a comprehensive guide for aspiring entrepreneurs in the field of chemical technology.

Strategies for Success

This collaboration between academic innovators, investors, and entrepreneurs addresses every stage of the journey, from research to scaling up and exiting, offering practical advice for overcoming the unique challenges of chemical technology commercialisation. Fernandez Rivas emphasises that empathetic entrepreneurial approaches are key to solving critical global challenges like sustainability and climate change.

“Engineers are naturally inclined toward solution finding”, explains Fernandez Rivas. “But for engineers to succeed as entrepreneurs, they must combine their engineering expertise with human-centred thinking.” The engineers’ solutions have to solve an unmet and real-world need. Otherwise, customers will not pay for their innovation.

Together, all authors shared strategies for overcoming hurdles at every stage of the entrepreneurial process. The contributors stress that the chemical industry must continue innovating to address global challenges like climate change. With their insights, the article empowers researchers to make their innovations market-ready.

More information

Prof Dr David Fernandez Rivas is a professor in the research group Mesoscale Chemical Systems (MCS; Faculty of S&T / MESA+). He is most well-known for his work on needle-free injections which he successfully into the UT spin-off company called FlowBeams. The full article, entitled 'Chemical ventures from ideas to scaled solutions, was published today in Nature Chemical Engineering.

DOI: 10.1038/s44286-024-00169-4

K.W. Wesselink - Schram MSc (Kees)
Science Communication Officer (available Mon-Fri)