Successful "YES Workshop" for PhDs from the University of Erfurt in Jena

"I really liked that I thought before the workshop entrepreneurial work is only for people that already have an idea, but afterwards I realised that I can decide to create new ideas and prototypes with my skills and learned tools."... was a quote from a workshop participant.

As part of their work with the PhDs from the universities of Jena, Weimar and Erfurt, the workshop leaders of the YES programme were personally able to observe how the workshop aroused curiosity and enthusiasm for the topic of start-ups and how some participants asked about the next possible steps.

By working with innovative methods such as design thinking and learning skills to realise their own innovation potential, the participants got to know their own research from the "transfer-related side" under the professional supervision of innovation coaches.

Entrepreneurs Patrick Westermann (DeepEn) and Jan Sperrhake (Xsight Optics) also contributed to the success of the workshop by acting as role models. Among other things, they reported on their start-ups and their own approach to developing innovative offers from research.

The respective Founders Services of the individual universities are responsible for the individual, downstream support of the participants. Supplementary online and offline modules of the YES programme can also be used for support.

The Founders Service of the University of Erfurt would like to thank all participants and partners involved in the organisation and implementation of the free workshop in Jena!

For all scientists at the University of Erfurt interested in the topic of "research transfer", please also refer to our digital event "Forschung ... WIRKT!" on 22.11.2024 in cooperation with the university 's Academic Qualification Programme.