How do you turn scientific research into a company? Where’s the right place to start? And once you’ve started, how do you get your idea funded at the earliest stage?
In collaboration with Conception X, CERN's Entrepreneurship team invites you to meet and learn from academic founders who have successfully translated their research into companies creating real-world impact. You’ll hear first-hand about how they navigated the transition from scientist to founder, how they decided when their research was ready to build on, the strategies they used to secure their first grant or investment, and more.
The session will also include a short presentation of CERN Entrepreneurship Academy, our entrepreneurship training programme for CERN members of personnel.
If you're a researcher wondering whether now is the right time to build something, come and find out.
For one night only, we are bringing together an ambitious community of entrepreneurial scientists, researchers and academic founders at CERN.
📍 774/R-013 (Prévessin, In person only)
📅 16 April, 2026, 17:00-18:30
📌 In person only
What you'll learn:
- First-hand insights into how scientific research can evolve into a venture, and the journey to get there
- An overview of CERN Entrepreneurship Academy, our entrepreneurship training programme for CERN members of personnel.
- The opportunity to meet people who are actively building and supporting science companies across Europe and the UK
- Insights and advice from founders who moved from research into entrepreneurship
- Networking with researchers, founders and industry leaders shaping European innovation
This is event is for:
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CERN members of personnel interested in entrepreneurship
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PhDs, postdocs, early-career researchers, engineers and academics curious about entrepreneurship.
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Selected researchers from partner institutions
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Individuals interested in science-driven innovation
View the full agenda here.
Speakers:
Dr. Christina Vallgren is Co-founder and CEO of Terapet SA, a Geneva-based CERN spin-off developing advanced nuclear medicine imaging systems. She holds a PhD in Applied Physics, an MSc in Nuclear Physics, and an MBA. Christina spent over a decade at CERN, where she worked as a staff physicist on the LHC beam vacuum system. She co-founded Terapet in 2019 and was awarded by CERN in 2021 for her outstanding transition from physics to entrepreneurship.
Registration for Participants Without a CERN Access Badge
Please note that registration is mandatory for visitors without a CERN access badge. Participants without a CERN access badge must complete the external registration form in advance in order to obtain access to the CERN site. Participants who wish to join the optional guided tour of CERN at 16:00 must also register through this form. We have limited spots for the guided tour, so registration is on first come first served basis.
➡️ External registration:
Please refer to the “Information for External Visitors” tab for the registration link and detailed instructions regarding transportation to the Prévessin site, event access and registration to CERN's guided tour starting at 16:00.
About Conception X:
Conception X is the home for Europe’s venture scientists. Since launching in 2018, Conception X has supported more than 800 PhDs, postdocs and early-career researchers from 91 universities to launch over 200 science companies that have raised £200+ million in investment and grants. Their £1 billion portfolio includes Rahko, Solve Intelligence, Humanloop and Infinitopes.