In this episode of "Nextcasts" from Swissnex in San Francisco, we dive into the fascinating world of entrepreneurship and innovation in the academic sphere. Our special guests, Darren Cook from UC Berkeley and Eva Maria from the University of Zurich, share their unique insights and experiences in fostering startup culture within their respective institutions.

Darren, leading the Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Center at UC Berkeley, discusses the various initiatives and programs like the I-Corps and Skydeck, designed to translate academic research into successful commercial ventures. His journey from an engineer to a patent attorney and now an educator and mentor for budding entrepreneurs highlights the diverse paths one can take in the innovation ecosystem.

Eva Maria, the Deputy Head of Innovation at the University of Zurich, shares her perspective on the differences and similarities between the innovation ecosystems in Zurich and Silicon Valley. She emphasizes the role of cultural factors like networking, risk-taking, and openness to new ideas in shaping an effective innovation environment.

Throughout the podcast, both guests delve into the challenges and opportunities in university tech transfer, the importance of understanding market needs, and the value of structured programs in guiding researchers from idea to impact. Their stories and insights provide a unique look into the vibrant and ever-evolving landscape of academic entrepreneurship.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of academia and entrepreneurship, offering valuable lessons and inspiration for aspiring innovators and researchers looking to make a tangible impact beyond the laboratory.

In “Nextcasts: METROPOLIS Episode 6”, the CEO of Swissnex in San Francisco, Emilia Pasquier, talks with Christian Sim, the founder of Swissnex of Swissnex in San Francisco, about his background and the early days of Silicon Valley. They discuss the excitement and dreams of the internet age, the Silicon Valley mindset, and the evolution of the tech hub. They also explore the intersection of science and art, the importance of cultural programming, and the future of Swissnex. Christian shares his vision for the organization and emphasizes the need for experimentation and interdisciplinary collaboration. They conclude by discussing the challenges of the future, including the impact of artificial intelligence.

About METROPOLIS:

The episode is part of the nextcasts METROPOLIS season, which is a piece of Swissnex in San Francisco’s 20-anniversary programming METROPOLIS. For two decades, Swissnex in San Francisco has connected the dots in Arts, Creatives, Academia, and Innovation between Switzerland and the US West Coast and continues to do so. Find out more about the METROPOLIS program and our 20-year anniversary on our website: https://swissnex.org/sanfrancisco/news/metropolis/

About Swissnex in San Francisco:

Swissnex in San Francisco is an initiative of the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation and is part of Switzerland’s network abroad managed by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

Our vision at Swissnex in San Francisco is to connect tomorrow by empowering the next generation of innovators to collaborate and create futures in which the planet and society thrive. We present a variety of programs in collaboration with Swiss partners for the next-gen innovators from Switzerland.

https://swissnex.org/sanfrancisco/

Subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts to be the first to hear when new episodes are released, or follow us on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/company/464455/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/swissnexsf/).

In “Nextcasts: METROPOLIS Episode 5”, the CEO of Swissnex in San Francisco, Emilia Pasquier, talks with Sara Skvirsky, Research Director at the Institute for the Future (IFTF). They discuss the importance of thinking about the future and developing a foresight mindset. Sara explains that while we can't predict the future, we can be smart about looking at what's changing around us and imagining a range of possibilities. She emphasizes the role of artists in shaping the future and suggests that cities need to create spaces for social connections and collaboration. They also discuss the impact of technology and climate change on the future of cities. The episode concludes with an exercise to train the imagination muscle.

Find out more about the Institute for the Future on their website.

If you'd like to check out the book Sara mentioned in the podcast, find Imaginable here and check out the online community Urgent Optimists.

About METROPOLIS:

The episode is part of the nextcasts METROPOLIS season, which is a piece of Swissnex in San Francisco’s 20-anniversary programming METROPOLIS. For two decades, Swissnex in San Francisco has connected the dots in Arts, Creatives, Academia, and Innovation between Switzerland and the US West Coast and continues to do so. Find out more about the METROPOLIS program and our 20-year anniversary on our website: https://swissnex.org/sanfrancisco/new...

About Swissnex in San Francisco:

Swissnex in San Francisco is an initiative of the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation and is part of Switzerland’s network abroad managed by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

Our vision at Swissnex in San Francisco is to connect tomorrow by empowering the next generation of innovators to collaborate and create futures in which the planet and society thrive. We present a variety of programs in collaboration with Swiss partners for the next-gen innovators from Switzerland.

https://swissnex.org/sanfrancisco/

Subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts to be the first to hear when new episodes are released, or follow us on Linkedin and Instagram