Having spent much of my time working with deep-tech ventures, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with scientist-turned-entrepreneurs. These founders bring groundbreaking ideas, deep technical expertise, and a passion for discovery. But transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship isn’t easy. As an investor, accelerator, or advisor, I often find myself helping them navigate unfamiliar territory.
The Shift from Research to Execution
Scientists are trained to ask, "How can we be sure?" Entrepreneurs need to ask, "How can we move forward?" In academia, progress is slow and meticulous. In startups, speed and iteration are everything.
Lesson learned: Encourage a mindset shift from perfectionism to progress. Push for early prototyping, customer feedback, and small wins instead of waiting for a fully developed, flawless product. Celebrate execution, not just research breakthroughs.
The Excessively Complex Messaging
Ever sat through a scientist’s pitch and felt completely lost? Well, I have. Scientists love precision, but investors and customers need clarity.
Lesson learned: Work with them to refine their pitch. Ask, "If you had 30 seconds to explain this to a non-expert, what would you say?" Help them strip away jargon and focus on the real-world impact of their innovation.
The Not-So-Important Business Side
Many scientist-founders underestimate the importance of sales, marketing, and customer discovery. They might think, "If the science is good, the product will sell itself." (Spoiler: It won’t.)
Lesson learned: Introduce them to industry experts, customer discovery frameworks, and basic sales strategies. Encourage them to talk to potential customers early and often. Show them that understanding market needs is just as important as technical validation.
The Leaders Mindset
Running a lab and running a startup are two very different things. In a lab, collaboration happens naturally. In a startup, leadership is intentional.
Lesson learned: Guide them on team-building, delegation, and decision-making. Encourage them to bring in a strong commercial co-founder or operational support if leadership isn’t their strength.
The Risk-Taking
Science is about minimizing uncertainty. Startups are about managing risk. Many scientist-entrepreneurs hesitate to make big moves without extensive data.
Lesson learned: Introduce the concept of calculated risk-taking. Show them that experimentation applies to business, too. Encourage them to test ideas with quick, low-risk pilots instead of waiting for absolute certainty. Help them see failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback.
The Funding Maze
Grant funding is very different from venture capital. Some scientist-founders struggle with the transition from non-dilutive funding to investor-backed models.
Lesson learned: Teach them about startup financing, investor expectations, and how to craft a compelling business case. Help them understand dilution, term sheets, and the trade-offs of different funding sources.
Bridging the Gap
At the end of the day, scientist-entrepreneurs have the potential to create world-changing companies—if they have the right support. By helping them embrace business fundamentals, refine their communication, and adopt a startup mindset, I vehemently believe we can turn breakthrough science into commercial success.