Transform into a deep-tech entrepreneur
CREATE YOUR SCIENCE-BASED VENTURE AT A DEDICATED DEEP TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE
PRE-REGISTER
NOW Dates TBA!
22nd
IGNITION
EVENT
IGNITION
EVENT
EXPLORE
The deep-tech startup lifecycle
CONNECT
With pre-selected science champions
CREATE
Your startup + raise capital in 80 days
22nd
IGNITION
EVENT
IGNITION
EVENT
HOW TO TELL IT'S TIME?
It is, if the following is about you:
Excited about science-driven technological innovation
Interested in a meaningful career challenge
Identifying as entrepreneurial-spirited individual or business leader
Can imagine yourself collaborating with scientists to create commercial solutions of tomorrow
Ready to commit to developing your own venture
!
Your next step
Complete "IGNITION QUALIFIERS" program designed to equip your mindset for building a Deep-Tech Startup.
Participation: Free.
Program is Sponsored by Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) in scope of "CUTTING-EDGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP" training program. "IGNITION QUALIFIERS" program is designed and organized by Commercialization Reactor (CR) in cooperation with Stockholm School of Economics in Riga (SSE Riga).
WHY DEEP TECH?
Because the biggest impact happens when scientific discoveries are translated into business. Plus it's highly profitable.
You don’t need to have a science background to lead a science-based company
In 13 years of Commercialization Reactor, over 100 deep-tech companies were ignited by connecting non-academic entrepreneurial individuals with science champions. More than 70 of them received investments and continue this successful partnership.
FIND YOUR PERFECT TECHNOLOGY MATCH AT THE "IGNITION EVENT"
Scientists explore the beauty of the universe through intellectual instruments.
But mission-driven entrepreneurs are much better in leading a business, setting and conquering the objectives. They just need a technology that excites them.
"IGNITION EVENT"
A place in space and time
WHERE DEEP TECH TEAMS ARE BORN
"Ignition Event" is a 2-day curated multi-national environment where Entrepreneurs explore technologies and form a team with Scientists.
A starting point where successful Teams are formed for creating high-potential science-based business.
Pre-selected Scientists showcase
Admitting technology presentations by Scientists, in search for the one that excites you
Chemistry and teaming up
Building chemistry and teaming up around a technology that excites you
Welcome to community
Become Resident of Commercialization Reactor, a network of mission-driven professionals in deep-tech to help you along the journey to success
Regardless of you being a seasoned serial entrepreneur or just starting your career - statistics say you have to equip your mindset with Deep-Tech Entrepreneurship tools
"IGNITION QUALIFIERS" PROGRAM
Your ticket for the "Ignition Event" and
successful start of your deep-tech journey
- 5 weeks, weekly 2-hour sessions, working groups with experts
- Equips you with the mindset and tools to turn a scientific achievement into a product
- Based on a decade of experience in creating, scaling and exiting Deep-Tech startups
- Free to join
JOIN THE NEXT "IGNITION EVENT"
TBA, 2024
online
TO PARTICIPATE, ENROLL FOR "IGNITION QUALIFIERS" PROGRAM (DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON)
Your deep-tech journey starts at the "Ignition Qualifiers" and "Ignition Event"
OTHERS DID IT - SO CAN YOU
Since 2009, Commercialization Reactor has been successfully employing its very own methodology, experience and continuous tailored support.
22
Ignition
Events
35+
Partner
Universities
> 140
Teams formed
led by entrepreneurial
individuals
˜
80%
of startups
incorporated after “Ignition Event”
raised capital
> 16M€
Funding
Raised
Industry Areas
Space
Biotech
AI
Nanotech
New Materials
Greentech
Medtech
Agriculture
Industry 4.0
Automotive
Robotics
These Deep-Tech startups are led by non-technical founders and were born at the IGNITION EVENT
Partner Info
Commercialization Reactor (CR) is an international and the most experienced full-cycle deep-tech and science (applied research) commercialization platform in the Baltics. It is formed by a group of entities united under the Commercialization Reactor brand. They complement each other and support the full cycle of emerging innovation commercialization, which includes access to CR’s fund, industry, and investors.
CR has been creating, accelerating and investing in deep-tech startups since 2009 through an expert-designed proprietary process. CR specializes in the field of commercialization of R&D work and IP achieved by the original method of matching scientists and external Entrepreneurial teams under the Reactor’s supervision and further support with the aim of creating and developing new successful startups.
CR provides scientists participating in start-up creation wider access to new grants, projects, and resources. At the same time, the Reactor enhances recognition, which broadens networking possibilities, stimulates an increase of publications and citations, all of which increase the Hirsch index, as scientists’ own companies become a source of further scientific achievements, patents and publications. In addition to this, CR also gives its participants the opportunity to cooperate with top EU universities and industry leaders, and gain access to developed global markets, as well as the preconditions and opportunities for a company to attract funding, all while continuing research.
www.commercializationreactor.comThe Stockholm School of Economics in Riga (SSE Riga) is a business school in Riga, Latvia, founded in 1994 and over the years has acquired a reputation as the leading business school in the region. You don’t have to go far from home to study in one of the best Business Schools in Europe.
"By providing an education that is competitive at the European level, SSE Riga gives talented Baltic students an opportunity staying “at home” rather than going abroad for studies. Otherwise, the most talented might leave the region and once they have done that, it will be difficult to lure them back," says Anders Paalzow, SSE Riga Rector.
The SSE Riga mission is to contribute to the competitiveness of the Baltic countries through education and research.
www.sseriga.eduThe Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) is a direct administration institution subordinated to the Minister of Economics of the Republic of Latvia. Established in 1993 as the Latvian Development Agency, it was reorganised into the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia in 2003. In 2016 LIAA was merged with Latvian Tourism Development Agency (LTDA) in order to introduce more effective governance of the tourism industry.
LIAA offers assistance throughout the process of setting up operations in Latvia, acting as a first point of contact and as a "one-stop-shop" in assisting investors and in developing tailored solutions to meet their specific needs. LIAA maintains and regularly updates a database of Latvian enterprises to facilitate partner searches for investment projects and for exporting or subcontracting businesses. The Agency also operates a database of different types of real estate suitable for a broad range of investment projects.
Every year, LIAA organises workshops, masterclasses, business and tourism forums, as well as other events where latest trends are discussed, people are encouraged to start entrepreneurship and where LIAA tells about what it can offer.
www.liaa.gov.lv/enHear what others say
"From corporate to creating something really meaningful"
I’ve encountered a scientific team and technology which took my attention at the Commercialization Reactor’s “Ignition Event”. Since that day my career shifted from corporate (ex. Deloitte) to creating something really meaningful, where I took on the business leadership role and was able to create my own Deep-Tech Startup in the field, where I did not have technical expertise. Business leadership in Deep-Tech is all about aggregating people to achieve a common goal - bring value to investors, industry and solve a global issues. With strong team, commitment as well as support from Commercialization Reactor I eventually got myself to a point, where my startup (Naco technologies) was acquired by a multi-billion company. Since those days, I am still active in Deep-Tech Entrepreneurship, building new company to solve other global challenges.
"Exciting new entrepreneurial endeavor"
I'm was seeking for the most inspiring challenge and attractive growth opportunity. Having experienced manufacturing, marketing and design before, creating value through building tomorrow's solutions has been a guiding principle. For this reason, after joining the Commercialization Reactor in 2019, I founded a startup with scientists. This journey has been unparalleled in several dimensions, from developing a new perspective for business start-ups, engaging with exceptional people, and experiencing an exciting new entrepreneurial endeavor.
"Make the world better in truly profound ways"
My journey in the deep-tech startup world started with the series of Commercialization Reactor’s workshops where I learned about the deep-tech startup lifecycle. I realized I needed to get involved since I had always dreamed of having my own company. It was about making a meaningful impact that has always been important for me. I don’t have a technical background (a degree in PR & Marketing), but I am now using my skills and strong sides to lead a deep-tech startup, after forming a team with scientists at the Ignition Event. By transforming into a deep-tech entrepreneur, I feel I can make the world better in truly profound ways.
Despite the initial plan to “just have a look”
I came to the Ignition Event in 2018 as a Year 1 Business & Economics student, just to see how things are done there, to potentially get involved in the future. I had work experience and a couple of small startup attempts, but I’ve always wanted to do something on a large scale, where I could invest my passion for the new and better that will change the world. That got me - despite the initial plan to “just have a look”, I met a team of scientists with an invention that was simple and ingenious, and truly impactful. So, here we are - now I’m building a medical biotech company, having learned and learning with an exceptionally smart and ambitious community, and being involved with solutions that truly move the human and the world forward.
WATCH PANEL DISCUSSION:
The "Ignition Event" Experience
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. This is your ticket for
the "Ignition Event". Once you complete the program,
you are eligible to enter the subsequent events. This
way we ensure you don't start your journey from a
blank page.
It is much more about your
inner entrepreneurial core, the spirit and passion for
creativity than anything else. The ability to execute
and lead for aggregating strongest competences to
build solutions of tomorrow can not be underestimated.
At this point, it is much more important than any
previous experience.
Being in the community of people who are building their companies alongside will also help you learn faster and avoid making common and less common mistakes.
So do not be afraid of lack of experience. If you gravitate towards Deep Tech - just come and take a look. Watch the future unfold and let it come naturally – you will learn along the way.
1. During the "Ignition Qualifiers" it is only a couple of hours per week online. That will be enough for you to immerse into the culture and manage expectations.
2. At the "Ignition Event", which is held in the format of a 2-day online conference, you will get exposed to presentations by science champions and will have an opportunity to connect and decide if and which one you are willing to start a company with.
3. Then, you will start preparing your new Team for the launch. Commitment is always about "the more the better", but here is what to expect by default: A. The first few months (as you start to learn more and more about building the vector of development for your project), are less time-intensive. During that period, you will still most likely be engaged in activities / business that keeps your family economy / income in balance. B. As you start raising capital (in particular seed-round, which starts from low to mid 6 figure numbers) you'd be required to commit more time in order to really accomplish the goals. Hence, as the central dogma of successful entrepreneurship says – "Success is a function of commitment".
The "Ignition Qualifiers"
program is not about education, but truly about
exposure to powerful shortcuts and thinking tools for
non-technical entrepreneurial minds to be ready to
grasp on the fabric of Deep-Tech Entrepreneurship in
it's core. This is you ticket to "Ignition Event".
Let's think about it this way:
Some Scientists have spent decades on developing the core competence and the Technology that they are going to exclusively transfer into a company that YOU may choose to create after meeting them at the "Ignition Event".
Therefore, regardless of you being a seasoned serial entrepreneur or just starting your career - it is important to equip your mindset with Deep-Tech Entrepreneurship tools.
It is not necessary in the beginning. We respect the importance of having a stable perspective of the future – one of the aspects of which is keeping your financial security intact.
Once you progress with your Deep-Tech venture (which means that you manage to raise seed capital) - it will require you to revisit the commitment balance and be able to dedicate more of your focus towards bringing success closer.
