PwC and the Centre for Entrepreneurship of the University of Cyprus present the:

2nd Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum: The Workshop: Embarking in a University Venture Journey

The global venture ecosystem in the 21st century is changing rapidly, and inevitably, the role of academia must change as well. The nature of this change is not yet fully understood – universities will remain the centers for research, teaching and impact in the coming decades, yet they must find a way to cope with the exponential growth of academic knowledge and integrate into the venture ecosystem, which is continuously transforming as well.

The Workshop will focus on practical matters of the Technology Transfer process. It is aimed at: Technology Transfer professionals from Universities, Research Organizations, IP professionals including lawyers, business consultants, Researchers, Academics, Post-docs, students. Limited seats available.

1 December 2016: The Workshop: Embarking in a University Venture Journey

8:30-9:00 – Gathering

9:00-10:00 – Introduction to the workshop

• Introductions roundtable (participant expectations)
• Agenda and deliverables
• Ground rules (brainstorming methodology, etc).
• Define desired goal (for Cyprus) – see Objectives above – get consensus

10:00-11:00 – Brainstorming #1 (entire team)

Subject = What are the key factors/problems that need to be addressed to achieve the goal?
[factors will become the discussion group topics]

11:00-11:20 – Coffee Break

11:20-12:00 – Focus – selection of brainstorm responses

The focus outcomes will be grouped into four clusters for the four work groups:

• Strengths and weaknesses of the local research community
• Innovative IP creation
• Access to Venture Capital (how to make funds invest in Univenture)
• University and government bureaucracy/processes

2:00-13:00 – Discussion in small groups:

• Each group will consist of one team leader, and team members that will be assigned to the team in advance – based on the list of registrants.
• A flip chart will be provided to each group.
• The group leader will appoint a scribe to document the team’s work.

Each group gets one cluster and creates actionable insights, to generate two deliverables:

1. A 7-minute presentation (verbal + flip chart page) that the team leader (or their chosen delegate) will present to the plenary session following the teamwork session.
2. A record of the team’s deliberations, recorded by the team scribe. The team can use a pencil and paper, or electronic devices, as desired.

13:00-14:00 – Lunch

14:00-14:45 – Report back of team leaders

• Each team will receive a time slot to present its findings and solution, and after every presentation, the other teams will get an opportunity to ask questions.

14:45-16:00 – Summary session

• A summary discussion, facilitated by Nathan Zeldes and Vladi Dvoyris, with the participation of leaders / delegates from each team.
• Generate proposed actionable decisions
  • What actions should be taken?
  • How can these be taken and who leads?
  • Roles and responsibilities
  • Reflection and Feedback

You can find the agenda here.

More details and registration for the Workshop: here