Entrepreneurship is thriving within universities and research institutions, with student-led startups and academic spin-outs playing a crucial role in shaping the future of innovation. But how do we bridge the gap between research and real-world impact? How can academic founders navigate the complexities of building a business while staying true to their mission?
Join us at the EU-Startups Summit 2025 in Malta on April 24-25 for an insightful panel discussion on “The Importance of Student/Academic Entrepreneurship & University Spin-outs.” We’ll explore the challenges and opportunities of commercialising research, securing funding, and scaling innovations beyond the lab.
To dive into this conversation, we’re bringing together three expert leaders at the intersection of academia and entrepreneurship:
Donnie SC Lygonis: Innovation Strategist, KTH Innovation
A serial entrepreneur, innovation strategist, and 6x TEDx speaker, Donnie SC Lygonis has spent over 14 years at KTH Innovation, helping researchers and students transform ideas into scalable ventures. As an innovation strategist, he specialises in guiding academic founders through the challenges of commercialisation, funding, and early-stage growth, playing a key role in Sweden’s university startup ecosystem. He has contributed to initiatives like the KTH Innovation Pre-Incubator Program and is the founder of Entrepreneurs Without Borders, supporting sustainable entrepreneurship globally.
Marcus Haberstroh: Managing Director, SpinLab
As Managing Director of SpinLab, Marcus has extensive experience in accelerating deep-tech startups and supporting university spin-outs. With over 18 years of experience in business development, transformation, and finance, he has helped research-driven ventures navigate growth challenges, secure funding, and scale their innovations. His expertise in organisational strategy and venture acceleration has positioned SpinLab as a leading hub for turning academic research into impactful businesses.
Sai Shivareddy: Founder & CEO, Nyobolt
Sai is the Co-founder and CEO of Nyobolt, a Cambridge University spin-out revolutionising battery technology with ultra-fast charging solutions. Under his leadership, Nyobolt has rapidly scaled, securing major partnerships and expanding its applications across AI-driven automation, heavy-duty industries, and electric vehicles. With a background in advanced battery research and commercialisation, he has played a pivotal role in bridging academia and industry, transforming breakthrough research into real-world impact.
This session will provide practical insights and real-world strategies for student founders, academic innovators, and investors looking to support the next generation of university-born startups.
Join us on April 24-25, 2025, in sunny Malta to connect with startup leaders, investors, and policymakers shaping the future of entrepreneurship in Europe. Secure your ticket today and be part of the movement driving innovation across the continent. Stay tuned for more updates, speaker announcements, and event highlights on our event page!
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Malta Enterprise is Malta’s economic development agency, facilitating economic growth, investment, and innovation, by offering a range of support services for local and foreign enterprises setting up a productive presence in Malta. As a key player in Malta’s economic landscape, it contributes to the nation’s prosperity by attracting investments, supporting businesses, and driving innovation, thereby reinforcing Malta’s position as an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and investors alike. Malta Enterprise actively cultivates a vibrant startup ecosystem, playing a pivotal role in fostering a conducive environment for startups and offering tailored support and incentives to empower emerging businesses.
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Scytale helps startups get compliant and stay compliant with frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, NIS 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS and more, without breaking a sweat.
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EUROCROWD is an independent network organisation aiming to support and promote crowdfunding as an alternative funding mechanism for small and medium-sized enterprises and innovative projects. EUROCROWD promotes and supports the development of Crowdfunding mechanisms as a viable funding source to European entrepreneurs and funders.
The M. Demajo Group is a leading business player in Malta, with a successful history spanning 115 years. The Group’s growth and diversification have resulted in a wide coverage of business sectors through a commitment to long-term results. M. Demajo Group’s workforce is 500 strong and their various activities have been developed through organic growth, acquisitions, partnerships, and startups. Its strong financial situation and ethical standards, its business reputation, and its renowned track record as a business partner are all key factors in its continued expansion.
The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a flagship initiative of the European Commission to turn disruptive European science into groundbreaking commercial propositions and accelerate the scale-up of “game-changing” innovations. It is a key building bloc of a reinforced European ecosystem and the New European Innovation Agenda, filling the gap between R&D support, private investors, and the market. With a budget of over €10 billion under the Horizon Europe Programme (2021-2027) it seeks to position Europe as a global leader in the current wave of deep tech innovation.