What does innovation actually mean? And what does entrepreneurship have to do with research?
Innovation is often associated with start-ups, business plans, or commercialisation. In reality, innovation begins much earlier: with curiosity, understanding meaningful problems, and exploring new ways of creating impact.
This interactive workshop offers scientists, engineers and IT-experts from the German LHC community a practical and accessible introduction to innovation and entrepreneurship. With the expertise of the DESY Innovation and Technology Transfer team, we will explore how the skills and mindsets you already use in research can become valuable tools for innovation.
Through short inputs, discussions, and hands-on exercises, the workshop will guide you through the foundations of innovation – from understanding problems and different perspectives to developing ideas and exploring how they can create meaningful impact.
What you will experience
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Explore what innovation and entrepreneurship really mean beyond common stereotypes and start-up myths.
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Discover how your scientific skills and mindset already provide a strong foundation for innovation.
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Experience why understanding a problem is often more important than jumping to a solution.
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Take part in engaging group exercises that demonstrate how creative ideas emerge through structured thinking and collaboration.
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Learn why considering different perspectives and user needs leads to better innovation.
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Reflect on your own strengths and understand how diverse competencies complement each other in successful innovation teams.
Learning outcomes
After the workshop, participants will:
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Understand innovation as a structured and learnable process.
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Gain a realistic perspective on innovation beyond business and start-up hype.
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Recognise the strong connection between scientific research and innovation.
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Experience practical approaches to creative problem solving and collaborative idea generation.
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Better understand their own role and potential contribution within innovation projects.
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Feel confident to take the next steps in innovation, technology transfer, or entrepreneurship programmes.
Female Entrepreneurship Lunch & Networking
At the heart of the workshop day, we will take a break for a Female Entrepreneurship Lunch featuring inspiring female role models from science and entrepreneurship.
A panel discussion will explore how science and entrepreneurship can be connected and what different paths can lead from research to societal or economic impact. The panel will be followed by lunch and informal networking.
The session is open to all participants. The focus is on making female role models and their experiences visible and creating an opportunity for everyone to exchange perspectives and connect.
Who should attend?
The workshop is aimed at researchers (Master’s students, PhD students, and Postdocs), engineers and IT-experts from the German LHC community.
No previous experience in innovation, technology transfer, or entrepreneurship is required – just curiosity and an openness to try something new.
Practical Information
Participation is free of charge.
Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs, which may be covered by their home institute or university. A limited number of low-price rooms at the DESY Hostel have been reserved for workshop participants.
Places are limited – register now and join us for a day of exploring what your research skills can do beyond the lab.
