Helping research-based innovations gain a firm footing

“Many research-based innovation projects face similar questions at an early stage: what the next step should be, how to build the right team and how to begin finding their way towards a market. With Solid Ground, we wanted to create a forum where researchers could gain perspective, share experiences and build networks with others on a similar journey,” says Frida Henningsson Johnson, business advisor at UU Innovation.

Together with her colleagues Hillevi Englund and Ingrid Ajaxon, she designed a programme offering practical support in areas such as business planning, contracts and team development.

Solid Ground attracted almost 50 participants, most of them researchers. Their innovation projects span a wide range of fields, from diagnostics and drug development to energy, materials and AI.

“What the projects have in common is that they are built on advanced, research-based technology – often described as deep tech – and that the individual or team behind them wants to start a company,” says Ingrid Ajaxon.

Preparing for investor meetings

“The aim was for participants to leave Solid Ground with a clearer sense of their next steps and a firmer foundation for developing their ideas towards the market,” says Frida Henningsson Johnson.

The third and final session, held on 10 March, focused on building a strong founding team and widening one’s network. Researchers and company founders shared their experiences of building teams, and participants also had the opportunity to meet around 20 external guests invited by UU Innovation

“For early-stage innovation projects, visibility and the right contacts are often crucial. When researchers have the opportunity to present their ideas to investors, entrepreneurs and other experienced stakeholders, they gain valuable feedback as well as new opportunities for collaboration. That can be an important step in moving a research-based idea closer to practical application,” says Frida Henningsson Johnson.

Knowledge and connections

For participants, Solid Ground has provided both useful knowledge and valuable contacts, all in a time-efficient format. That is borne out by the evaluation, and Xuan Wang, a researcher at the Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, agrees.

“UU Innovation brings in real-life examples and opportunities to meet people with first-hand experience. That is what makes it truly valuable, and I particularly appreciated the closing networking event,” she says.

After Solid Ground, UU Innovation will continue to offer individual support to the projects. This may include helping participants identify relevant settings in which to meet investors and industry representatives.

Will Solid Ground be run again?
“It is possible. But if you are a researcher and want help taking an idea further, that support is available at any time,” says Hillevi Englund.

For those who are drawn to the programme format, she also recommends UU Innovation’s Idea Exploration Programme, where researchers and students can get support in taking the first step with their ideas.

Sara Gredemark