More people from academia should start companies and start-ups. You clearly get used to doing hard stuff, adapting to a constantly changing environment, exploring new things, not being afraid of taking risks, failing constantly but still keep going with your things, knowing when things don’t work to sit, think and try another approach. These are the trades that you gain in academia, but they are not so obvious externally. If you just make the switch from your academic mindset to entrepreneurial one, these are the things you can easily translate and apply in building your successful start-up.
Moreover, many great ideas and companies come from the deep-tech and academia (e.g. Intel). You just need to re-frame the things you do and your research and start asking a question: Will my research lead to something beneficial for others, and can I turn this one day to a great product? Let your research be application-driven. Having this constantly on your mind will make your research more fun and enjoyable. You clearly have all the tools and trades you need, it is just a matter of putting them to use. You can build your things for the benefit and use of others. Influence the world through the things you do. It is much more rewarding and enjoyable.
(originally posted on LinkedIn, 2020, link)
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