Prof. Bibette and Prof. Weitz have shared their entrepreneur experiences started from scientific achievement, in the field of colloidal and interface science. They have shared the IP strategy and method assessment of the technology, to cope with the difficulties of a start-up company. They have also presented a business plan and how to modify it over the process of development. 

-----

The Technology Transfer Office is pleased to bring you this latest lunchtime seminar on entrepreneurship. Two renowned professors in the field of applied physics are going to share with us their entrepreneurial and startup experiences in the US and in Europe. 

Prof. David A. Weitz of Harvard University is going to talk about “The Do’s and Don’ts of Startups: Lessons from the Field”. 

Prof. Jerome Bibette of Ecole Superieure de Physique et Chimie Industrielle de Paris will elaborate on “What to be learnt at start about entrepreneurship as a scientist”. 

Meeting Place and Time
Date: April 14, 2015 (Tuesday)
Time: 1:00pm -2:00pm
Venue: CPD- LG.09 Centennial Campus 

1. The Do's and Don'ts of Startups: Lessons from the Field

Speaker:
Prof. David A. Weitz
Director, Materials Research Science and Engineering Center
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Harvard University

Abstract:
This talk will describe different routes to entrepreneurship and will build on experiences in biotech and materials startup companies. It will provide a discussion of when to create and work for a startup, and will describe several different routes to build a successful and rewarding startup. It will be a combination of how-to advice and perspective on entrepreneurship, all based on personal experience.

Biography:
Prof. David A. Weitz received his PhD in physics from Harvard University and then joined Exxon Research and Engineering Company, where he worked for nearly 18 years.
He then became a professor of physics at the University of Pennsylvania and moved to Harvard at the end of the last millennium as professor of physics and applied physics. He leads a group studying soft matter science with a focus on materials science, biophysics and microfluidics. He is director of Harvard's Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, funded by the National Science Foundation. He has started numerous startup companies to bring the results of his research group to a wider community and to enhance the impact of his research.


2. What to be learnt at start about entrepreneurship as a scientist

Speaker:
Prof. Jerome Bibette
Co-director
Michelin Advanced Research Initiative
Ecole Superieure de Physique et Chimie Industrielle de Paris (ESPCI

Abstract:
This talk will discuss about several entrepreneur experiences started from scientific achievement, in the field of colloidal and interface science. The aim of this lecture is to edit some simple rules based on experience which optimize the chance of success of a start up. It includes a methodic assessment of the technological background, and IP strategy to initiate or not a project. It will then examine through concrete examples how a business plan is set up and how it must be modified over the process of growth. It will finally consider the human resources needs and the skill mix characteristics of start upper scientists and business dev people for most probable success.

Biography:
Prof. Jerome Bibette is the Professor of soft matter physics at Ecole Superieure de Physique et Chimie Industrielle de Paris (ESPCI). He is the co-director of the Michelin Advanced Research Initiative at ESPCI. Prof. Bibette is best known for his work in the areas of emulsions and superparamagnetic colloids, microfluidics, rheology, fluid mechanics, colloid chemistry, biophysics, complex fluids, soft condensed matter physics and phase transitions. He received his PhD in physical chemistry from Bordeaux University and worked as an associate professor at Bordeaux, prior to joining the faculty at ESPCI. He has published more than 100 publications in international peer reviewed journals, more than 50 patents in the field of complex liquids (60% already exclusively licensed to industrial partners). Professor Bibette is a Founder of RainDance Technologies, Ademtech, Hifibio, Biomillenia and Capsum.