Connecting Research and Entrepreneurship

The Center for the Transformation of Chemistry (CTC) recently launched its new “Meet the Founder” series, creating a space where students and researchers can engage directly with entrepreneurs and gain first-hand insights into building a company from an idea.

Learning from Entrepreneurial Experience

The first edition of the series brought together students, researchers, and founder Oliver Eckardt, CTO of Polytives GmbH. During the event, he shared his personal journey—from overcoming early challenges to building a successful business—and provided valuable insights into innovation, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship.

The discussion offered participants an opportunity to learn about the realities of founding a company, ask questions, and explore alternative career paths beyond academia.

Encouraging Exchange and New Perspectives

A particular focus of the event was fostering open dialogue between founders and early-career scientists. Undergraduate students and researchers exchanged perspectives with Oliver Eckardt and discussed what it takes to transform scientific knowledge into practical applications and business opportunities.

The event highlighted the importance of entrepreneurial thinking in driving innovation and demonstrated how research and entrepreneurship can complement one another.

Looking Ahead

The launch event marked the beginning of what is planned to become a regular series at CTC. The next “Meet the Founder” session is scheduled for autumn 2026, and CTC is currently looking for deep-tech founders and startup representatives interested in presenting their entrepreneurial journey and engaging with the next generation of innovators.

Founders interested in participating are invited to contact the team at academy@ctc-germany.org.

We would like to thank Oliver Eckardt for sharing his experience, all participants for the engaging discussions, and the CTC team for making the event possible. We look forward to continuing the conversation and welcoming future founders to the series.