Course: “BEYOND RESEARCH - Tools and strategies for transforming research into innovation”

What

"BEYOND RESEARCH - Tools and strategies for transforming research into innovation" is the introduction course in entrepreneurship held by Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna organised in collaboration with Almacube. The aim of the course is to disseminate the culture of entrepreneurship among PhD students and researchers as an enabling element to support the processes of valorising knowledge and research results.

The aim of the course is to guide participants in discovering the fundamental tools and competences for acquiring an entrepreneurial mindset, which today is increasingly useful in all organisational contexts, from academia to large enterprises and not just limited to within start-ups.

To this end, the sessions will be delivered in cooperation with entrepreneurs and experts in the sector.

At the end of the course, participants will be able to understand and apply the techniques and processes required to manage and coordinate groups and organisations with a focus on sustainability (including economic sustainability) and value creation, knowing the best practices for avoiding the most common mistakes in entrepreneurship.

Course Participation

Participation is free of charge and reserved for researchers and PhD students of the University of Bologna (permanent and non-permanent staff) from any department and field of the university.

In view of the maximum capacity available of 40 places for attendance in-person and 500 places online, enrolment is required via an online form by September 25, in which the mode of participation is also to be indicated. Enrolled participants will be admitted to the course subject to availability.

Enrolled PhD students must attend at least 70% of the lectures  and undergo an assessment of the competencies acquired during the course, in order to be eligible for credit recognition.

At the end of the lectures, online tests will be administered to participants to assess the competences acquired. A course satisfaction survey will also be administered at the end of the course.

Course Schedule

The course is a 23-hour programme consisting of 8 weekly sessions, each lasting 2 to 3 hours, taking place in September and November, plus a short introductory webinar.

The course may be attended online via video call links or in-person in Almalabor's Conference Room in Via Ugo Foscolo 7, Bologna (only if the required minimum number of people wishing to participate through in-person attendance is met) apart from the lesson of Oct 16 which is going to take place in Aula Magna, at the ground floor of Via Ugo Foscolo 7.

 Course Director: Laura Toschi, Chairperson of Almacube, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management at the University of Bologna

SESSION #0 - 26 September (online only)

Course Introduction

Time: 15:00-16:30

Lecturers: Prof. Laura Toschi, Course Director and Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management, with a speech from Prof. Claudio Melchiorri, Delegate for Relations with Businesses and Industrial Research at Unibo

 Description: the first brief introduction session aims to share with potential participants all educational and organisational aspects to help them answer the fundamental question "Is this course for me?".

We will do this by starting with understanding the characteristics, approaches and more generally the 'mindset' that set innovators/entrepreneurs apart, and we will discover that these qualities are often present in all of us (though they may be more or less apparent), even in those who do not identify themselves as such. 

SESSION #1 - 2 October 2025

Workshop: 'Valorisation of Research Results and Business Creation’

Time: 15:00 - 18:00

Lecturer: Shiva Loccisano, CEO of Almacube and BeHold and of Spin-off AdapTronics (visiting external lecturer) 

Description: The workshop deals with the importance of valorisation and the basic principles of knowledge transfer. The most common approaches and the path 'from research to market' will be presented, and the researcher's interest in valorising the results of their work will be discussed.

Why create a start-up to bring your research results to market? What distinguishes a start-up from a traditional enterprise? What does it mean in practice to be an entrepreneur? The workshop offers an essential overview of launching and running a start-up, also within the university context.

It includes a valuable first-hand account from the co-founder of a spin-off, who will share with participants the real experiences and lessons learnt along the way. An opportunity to learn directly from those who have already walked this path. 

SESSION #2 - 9 October 2025

Workshop: 'Principles of Human-Centred Innovation and Lean Startup'

Time: 15:00 - 18:00

Lecturer: Mario di Nauta, Open Innovation Manager at Almacube (visiting external lecturer) 

Description: Design Thinking offers a strategic approach to understanding the needs of specific users and customers and translating them into effective solutions. Through empathic knowledge of their market and precise problem definition, start-ups can reduce the risk of failure and increase the likelihood of success in a highly competitive environment. Investing time and resources in acquiring these competences leads to the development of effective and desirable products and services, thus improving satisfaction and loyalty. Prototype testing, end-user interaction and the Lean Startup model will also be touched upon.

 SESSION #3 - 16 October 2025

Workshop: 'Market Analysis and Value Proposition'

Time: 16:00 - 18:00

Lecturer: Massimo Giacchino, marketing expert (visiting external lecturer) 

Description: Through market analysis, the lecturer will explain how to identify the first 'ideal customer', how to understand their needs, how to select and analyse competitors and use this information to develop a clear and unique value proposition to effectively position a specific solution/service/product in the market. The most common techniques used to analyse competitors and thus identify our own differentiating characteristics will also be explained.

SESSION #4 - 23 October 2025

Workshop: 'From Business Model to Business Plan’

Time: 15:00 - 18:00

Lecturer: Federico Strollo, Founder of Associazione Quadrante - Bologna Startup (visiting external lecturer) 

Description: The aim of the workshop is to provide definitions and tools for understanding what a business model is and how best to structure it, introducing the popular Lean Canvas tool and the most commonly used patterns.

Having understood how to analyse target markets, competitors, how to structure a value proposition on which to base a sustainable business model, it will now be time to take action. To do so, it is necessary to carefully design the next steps, more specifically, through a proper Business Plan.

SESSION #5 - 30 October 2025

Workshop: 'Social Entrepreneurship and the Co-operative Form as a Potential Instrument'

Time: 16:00 - 17:30

Lecturer: Luca Grosso, Co-operative Manager, in charge of co-operative enterprise promotion and development projects in Legacoop Bologna (visiting external lecturer)

 Description: This talk will explore the topic of social entrepreneurship, which does not focus on profit maximisation but on making a positive impact at the social, environmental or community level.

In this context, the co-operative form is one of the design options for innovative ideas that aim to make impact generation a key driver of their business and development model. 

SESSION #6 - 6 November 2025

Workshop: 'The Economic and Financial Plan and Sources of Funding’

Time: 15:00 - 18:00

Lecturer: Laura Toschi, Chairperson of Almacube and Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management at the University of Bologna 

Description: Within the Business Plan, already the subject of the previous module, the financial business plan, which defines the cost/revenue structure and financial forecasts of the business project, is of particular importance. Through practical case studies, participants will acquire the necessary competences to transform an idea into a concrete, economically and financially sustainable project.

The main options for financing start-ups, from business angels to bank financing, from venture capital to crowdfunding, will also be described.

SESSION #7 - 12 November 2025

Workshop: 'Co-founding Team and Definition of Corporate Structure'

Time: 15:00 - 18:00

1st talk: Creating a Good Team

Lecturer: Elisa Villani, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Bologna 

2nd talk: Defining the corporate structure, challenges and opportunities in view of the entry of new investors

Lecturer: Anna Amati, Co-Founder & General Partner at Eureka! Venture SGR SpA (visiting external lecturer) 

Description: This workshop offers an overview of leadership and team management within the context of a start-up. The role of the CEO in terms of vision, corporate culture and fundraising will be discussed. The importance of creating a diverse and motivated team and the challenges of hiring in a competitive market will be addressed. How to organise the corporate structure in a way that is attractive to future industrial partners and investors will also be discussed. The aim is to offer insights that participants can apply when they wish to start their own business project.

SESSION #8 - 20 November 2025

Workshop: ‘Entrepreneurship Training @UNIBO’

Time: 15:00 - 18:00

1st talk: Unibo's entrepreneurship support services

Lecturer: Romina Kniaz, Head of Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) - New Entrepreneurship for ARIN - Innovation Division at the University of Bologna 

2nd talk: BeHold and the model of the university holding company in the creation and development process of spin-off companies

Lecturer: Shiva Loccisano, CEO of Almacube and BeHold 

Description: Investing in the innovative potential of research results through the creation of new enterprises is an essential mission for Italian universities. The University of Bologna offers a business mentoring programme that helps generate impact on the local community by enhancing and protecting the key figures in this knowledge transfer challenge. The aim of the workshop is to present a clear overview of the competences, services and opportunities available for moving within the innovation ecosystem in academia, from the birth of a business project to the establishment of spin-off companies.

The University of Bologna's model for participation in spin-offs through the university holding company BeHold will be discussed.