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 course aims to guide participants in discovering the fundamental tools and skills needed to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, which is increasingly valuable today in all organisational contexts – from academia to large corporations, and not just within start-ups.

To this end, the sessions will be delivered in collaboration with entrepreneurs and industry experts.

The course comprises an introductory section to lay the foundations for the theme of research commercialisation, and a second, more in-depth section (open to a limited number of participants interested in continuing the programme) which includes theoretical sessions accompanied by practical workshops (project work).

By the end of the course, participants will be able to understand and apply the techniques and tools needed to develop innovative entrepreneurial projects in any disciplinary field, whilst being familiar with best practices to avoid the most common pitfalls of an entrepreneurial journey.

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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.

The course is structured in two parts as follows:

The first part of the course will be delivered online and will last 9 hours. This part is open to 500 participants and is aimed at PhD students and researchers.

The second part of the course, on the other hand, will consist of 18 hours of face-to-face teaching and will be open to a maximum of 60 PhD students.

Given the limited capacity, registration via a dedicated form is required. Participants will be admitted to the course on a first-come, first-served basis until all places are filled.

Enrolled PhD students must attend at least 70% of the lectures (Part 1 and Part 2) and sit an online test to assess the skills they have acquired in order to be awarded credits (3 PhD credits).
At the end of the course, all participants will also be asked to complete an online course satisfaction survey.

Schedule 

PART 1

SESSION #1 – 24 September 2026 (online)

‘Creating Value: transforming knowledge into value for society.’

Time: 15:00–16:30

SESSION #2 – 1 October 2026 (online)

“Social entrepreneurship, corporate structures and tools for measuring impact”

Time: 16:30–18:00

SESSION #3 – 8 October 2026 (online)

“Identifying a problem and building a sustainable business around it”

Time: 15:30 – 18:00

SESSION #4 – 15 October 2026 (online)

“Doing business @UNIBO”

Time: 16:00 – 18:00

PART 2

SESSION #5 – 29 October 2026 (in person)

“Market and Competitor Analysis” + Project Work

Time: 15:00 – 18:00

SESSION #6 – 5 November 2026 (in person)

“Value Proposition and Business Models” + Project Work

Time: 15:00 – 18:00

SESSION #7 – 12 November 2026 (in presence)

“Protecting Intellectual Property”

Time: 16:00 – 18:00

SESSION #8 – 19 November 2026  (in presence)

“The Business Plan and Sources of Funding” + Project Work

Time: 15:00 – 18:00

SESSION #9 – 26 November 2026  (in presence)

“Presenting a business project” + Project Work

Time: 15:00 – 18:00

SESSION #10 – 3 December 2026 (in presence)
“Co-founding team and defining the company structure”

Time: 16:00 – 18:00

SESSION #11 – 10 December 2026 (in presence)

Final presentation of project work and networking drinks reception

Time: 16:00 – 19:00

Project Work: The teams will present the final outcome of the project using the pitch format and will receive feedback on how to improve.

Details of the individual sessions are set out in the attached PROGRAMME

In collaboration with: