CRC1382 graduate school meets start-up and patents

The seminar on startups and patents marked uncharted territory for our graduate students, reflecting their strong interest in this frontier. With the support of Jeff and Marieke from the RWTH Innovation team, attendees explored the intersection of intellectual property and early-stage ventures, gaining practical insights into patent strategies and commercialisation. A workshop at the end of this seminar helped participants envision concrete pathways from ideas to marketable products. Graduate student Matthias Schmitz highlighted the value of this seminar: “I really appreciated the practical aspect, where we presented our own startup ideas, received feedback, and learned what potential investors look for, to help us communicate what matters more effectively”.