E65 #Ecosystem Builders "Bridging Innovation: From Academia to Life Science Startups" with Søren Spanner Bach & Per Christensen

What this episode covers

In this miniseries episode of Life Science Talent Talks, hosted by Soren in collaboration with Black Swans Exist, we explore how scientific innovation moves from universities and research hubs into real-world companies.Soren and Per Christensen (co-founder of Black Swans Exist) discuss the “bridge” between academia and industry - where great ideas are created, but not always scaled - and why talent, execution, and cross-sector collaboration are key to turning research into impactful solutions.The conversation also touches on Europe’s innovation challenges, the startup ecosystem, and the need for more entrepreneurial courage in science and academia.Timestamps00:30 – Meet Per Christensen & his background01:00 – Purpose of the mini-series: bridging innovation and execution01:14 – What Black Swans Exist does in the ecosystem02:15 – The “bridge” between academia and real-world application02:50 – Gaps in innovation vs. execution03:00 – Untapped innovation potential within universities03:35 – Talent, funding, and enabling innovation04:00 – Why this podcast exists04:19 – Importance of ecosystem builders & shared perspectives04:30 – Inspiring entrepreneurship and showcasing role models05:15 – Breaking silos & sharing actionable learnings05:42 – What to expect from the conversations in this series06:00 – Entrepreneurial mindset in academia06:24 – Innovation and the future economy06:51 – Are we doing enough in innovation?07:00 – Europe’s strengths vs. commercialization challenges07:44 – Regulation vs. innovation discussion08:00 – Driving societal change & the need for innovators08:39 – Closing remarksKey TakeawaysInnovation often exists in universities - but scaling it requires the right people and structuresTalent acquisition is a critical bottleneck in life science and deep tech startupsEurope has strong research output but struggles with commercialization and executionCross-sector collaboration can unlock faster innovationInspiration and role models can encourage more people to start companiesBridging academia and industry is essential for future economic growthNotable Quotes“If we inspire just one person to start a company, it’s a success.”“We need innovators and brave people willing to take risks.”Call to ActionIf this episode sparked your interest:Share it with someone working in science, startups, or innovationFollow the miniseries for more conversations with ecosystem builders

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