Entrepreneurship in Academia - From Idea to Prototype

In this inspiring episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, hosts Darja Aksjonova and Jovan Aranđelović sit down with Dr. Artemis Kontou — a polymath whose career spans mechanical engineering, entrepreneurship, academia, and music. From her PhD in tribology at Imperial College London to co-founding a privacy-focused startup with over 1 million downloads, Artemis shares how she bridges the worlds of research and innovation. She opens up about her teaching philosophy, startup challenges, and the art of balancing multiple roles — all while composing music and mentoring the next generation of founders.Whether you're an early-stage researcher, aspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about the intersection of science and creativity, this episode offers actionable insights and a dose of motivation.🧭 Key Topics CoveredAcademic Foundations & Industrial Collaborations → How tribology research led to patents and global conferences → Working with Shell and Akzo Nobel on applied engineering problemsTeaching with Impact → Engaging students through real-world case studies and industry prizes → Making project management and energy law accessible and excitingStartup Life & Malloc’s Rise → Co-founding a privacy app and navigating early-stage funding → Lessons from viral marketing strategiesMentorship & Mindset Shifts → Helping researchers adopt entrepreneurial thinking → Advice for building MVPs and pivoting with resilienceBalancing Roles & Personal Passions → Managing research, startups, and music composition → Upcoming ventures in shipping tech and hospitality⏱️ Question Timestamps00:03:00 – What inspired Artemis to pursue mechanical engineering  00:05:00 – How she approaches teaching project management and energy law  00:09:00 – Motivation behind creating Malloc and early startup challenges  00:13:00 – Navigating viral marketing and influencer collaborations  00:16:00 – Strategies for standing out in the cybersecurity market  00:17:00 – Balancing academia, entrepreneurship, and personal life  00:18:30 – Reflections on the EURAXESS Startup Tour in Israel  00:20:30 – Mentoring startups and sharing entrepreneurial insights  00:22:00 – Advice on building MVPs and staying resilient  00:24:00 – Upcoming projects in tech, tourism, and musicSend us a message!