Embarking on the Start-Up Journey: EXPLORE Ignites Student Innovation

I am Rikke, and I am studying a bachelor's degree in Biology at the University of Copenhagen.

Why did you choose to join Explore?

I have been a member of the Science Innovation Hub for a while, and then I saw it pop up on Instagram. I really wanted to go to Lego, but I couldn't go that day because I had another excursion, but I still think it has been really good even though I missed that part.

For me, I just wanted to be part of an entrepreneurship community because it was convenient and fit into my daily life to regain some enthusiasm.

Was there a specific activity that you liked the most, and can you describe it a bit?

I found the first activity fun when we hadn't even met each other yet and had to form our teams and come up with a startup idea involving three very different things, that unicorn game. It was quite interesting to sit with people I didn't know at all, and some had very strong opinions. Making it work within a tight time frame - I liked the intensity of the activity, I thought it was quite creative. Also, learning some new terms, like what a unicorn startup is, and there were some who knew more about programming, like blockchain and the words we throw out. So, it was really cool to have different team members with diverse skills and educational backgrounds.

Are there any specific activities, elements, or learnings that you feel you can take with you in your career or studies?

Yes, in the third activity right after the Lego trip, called "In Best Case" [Falling & Desirable imperfection], I found it fun that they used a lot of examples from the field of biology in his way of  explaining antifragility. I think it was a nice terminology, and it was a fun exercise to physically do something; that's also what I do in my work. Sometimes it's great to involve your body in what you're learning. They used both the verbal and physical aspects and combined them, and I found it really cool that it had value. I will take away the idea that involving your body has value, even in more intellectual matters.

Did you learn anything new about entrepreneurship and innovation?

What we practiced was more the Explore mindset, it wasn't the more intellectual learning, but a more playful approach to entrepreneurship that we had the opportunity to try out, which I think was a fantastic learning experience - really fun and something I will take with me. Entrepreneurship should be fun, and we had some experiences with it.

If you were the one planning EXPLORE, is there anything you would have done differently?

All the activities were really fun, but I might have liked to learn some specific innovation processes so that I could say that was the process I took with me. We've learned a little bit here and there, but I would have liked it to be more concrete.

Do you think the program provided a path to the opportunities or networking you were looking for?

I never network just for the sake of networking. You meet people, and then they know others, and everything falls into place in a bigger picture, and I think Explore provided that opportunity to meet a lot of new people. I don't know right now if I'm going to use it or what I'll use it for, but there was definitely a good chance to talk to other people and be inspired by individuals with different backgrounds than mine, but still in the creative student phase. So, I think that was valuable, but I don't know what I'll get out of it, but that's also the point.

Is there anything specific, as a biology or bachelor's student in Science, where you think it makes sense to engage with entrepreneurship and innovation, considering your expertise or future career and various opportunities?

I want to work with sustainability in my career. That companies consider nature and biodiversity in their actions and utilization of global resources in a way that promotes sustainable resource development. That's not how the world looks now, so for companies to transition from how they currently operate to running their business more sustainably, it requires an innovative and creative process. So, for someone like me, it's good to have a science education where I learn about nature, sustainability, and natural sciences. However, there are also aspects I don't get from my education, like innovation - so it's great to have programs like this where I can be inspired about processes and a mindset while still pursuing a scientific education. I don't have to pursue a business education to learn about business; I can be on a science education and still be interested in business and find a way to combine those interests in the future.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Well, just thank you, it has been fun! 

My name is Jhaleesa. I study at UCPH, and my field of study is forest and nature management at IFRO.

 What made you sign up for the Explore program?

I saw it on the info screens at campus, and since I enjoyed similar activities during my bachelor's degree, I thought it would be a great opportunity to get involved in start-ups and innovation again. I have a genuine interest in these areas, so I thought it would be a nice way to explore them further.

Can you describe the activity in the program that you enjoyed the most and why?

 I really enjoyed visiting DTU, where we had the chance to see different start-ups and listen to presentations about their ideas and how they were implementing them. It was fascinating to learn about the companies' goals and the types of people they were looking for. This was exactly what I was hoping to experience in the program, and I found it very inspiring.

Are there any activities or learnings from the program that you feel you can apply in your career or studies moving forward?

Networking was a significant aspect that I can utilize. Meeting new people, especially as a foreigner in Copenhagen and being new to the city, was valuable. Additionally, since there aren't many people from my master's program whom I interact with regularly, it was refreshing to connect with individuals from different backgrounds and gain new perspectives. I believe this networking experience will benefit me in the future.

Did you learn anything new about innovation and entrepreneurship through the program?

Yes, one important thing I learned is that learning through play can foster creativity. In the field of science, we often follow a set curriculum, but it's essential to step aside from the established norms and allow our imaginations to roam freely. This approach can bring new ideas and perspectives to disciplines like forest and nature management, where innovation is valuable.

Would you recommend the program to others, and would you participate again if you already knew what it entailed?

Absolutely, I would recommend it to others, especially to those who have little knowledge about innovation, start-ups, and related concepts. As for participating again, knowing what the program offers, I would definitely take part in it.

If you were in charge of planning the program, what would you do differently or what activities would you prioritize?

If I had the opportunity to plan the program, I would focus more on interacting with start-ups and delving into their processes. It would be beneficial to hear firsthand experiences from individuals like Steph, who has been involved in the start-up world, rather than spending an entire day playing with Legos.

Did the program provide opportunities for networking as you had hoped?

Yes, as I mentioned earlier, it offered great networking opportunities. I was able to connect with people from various fields of study and different countries, which was fantastic. It provided an easy and effective way to make valuable contacts.

As a master's student in the field of science, how do you think engaging in innovative activities like this program benefits you?

Engaging in innovative activities like this program is beneficial because it helps me establish connections and expand my network. If I'm interested in pursuing further opportunities, I now have names and contacts that I can reach out to for guidance and information.

My name is Venkanna. I'm currently a PhD student at the machine learning section of the computer science department at UCPH.

What made you decide to sign up for the Explore Programme?

I recently started my PhD in February, and I was looking to connect with new people in Copenhagen. Additionally, I wanted to explore the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Can you describe the activity that you enjoyed the most?

I particularly enjoyed the unicorn game. It was fascinating because it made the startup ecosystem feel much more accessible and smaller in scale. It provided valuable insights into pitching and investing in a startup ecosystem.

Which activities or learnings do you think you can apply to your career moving forward?

I gained something from every activity. In the unicorn game, I learned about pitching and investing, which will be helpful in the future when I have ideas and want to start a startup. From the Lego house activity, I learned about playful learning and the importance of learning while having fun. The falling event taught me how to step out of my comfort zone.

Would you participate in the program again if given the chance?

Absolutely, I would definitely participate again. I value the opportunity to connect with new people, and I also anticipate changes and improvements in the activities.

What would you have done differently if you were responsible for planning the event?

If I had the chance to plan the event, I would incorporate more technical aspects. For example, I would include real-world examples of what people are doing in startups. However, I understand that it can be challenging to cover everything within a limited timeframe.

Did the event provide the networking opportunities or clear paths to opportunities that you were seeking?

Yes, I was able to connect with people from different universities and various backgrounds. I even had the chance to meet people from my home country of India.

As a PhD student, how do you think engaging with entrepreneurship and innovation can benefit you?

For PhD students, this program is invaluable because it fills the gap in exploring areas beyond research. Usually, PhD students focus on conducting good research, writing papers, and publishing them. Networking opportunities typically arise at conferences when we present a significant paper. However, engaging in other activities outside of research is limited during a PhD.

The Explore Program fills that gap and provides PhD students with opportunities to connect with people from the corporate world and those interested in startups and business ventures. As a PhD student, I often work closely with professors and within academia, so having connections with corporate professionals and exploring potential career paths is crucial. This program also helps me gain clarity about whether I should pursue a career in academia or transition to a corporate setting. Therefore, it's an excellent chance for me to explore and make informed decisions about my future career path, which is why I chose to participate in the Explore Program.

My name is Yingjia, and I'm from China. I study at KU in the Faculty of Science, specifically in the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology.

And you are a PhD student?

Yes, I'm currently pursuing my PhD. I arrived last November, so it's been about five months.

What made you sign up for the Explore Programme?

I decided to join the Explore Program after seeing the introduction to all the activities. I was particularly interested in the Lego experience because it offered a chance to learn something beyond scientific subjects and served as a relaxation from my intense studies. Additionally, having worked for several years before starting my PhD, I also have an interest in the business aspect.

Which activities or learnings do you think will be beneficial for your career?

While my career is predominantly focused on scientific research, I believe I gained valuable teamwork skills from the Lego experience and the initial team task. These activities required coordination among team members, each with their own ideas and approaches. It highlighted the importance of communication, clarifying roles, brainstorming together, and working collaboratively to achieve shared goals.

Did you learn anything new about innovation and entrepreneurship during the program?

Absolutely! I was unaware of the abundance of innovative companies, particularly unicorns, in Denmark. Learning about various aspects of innovation and entrepreneurship was eye-opening for me.

Would you recommend the program to others? Would you participate again if given the opportunity?

I would definitely recommend the program to others, and I would participate again if the activities were different or if I hadn't experienced them before. I particularly appreciate the program's colorful and innovative approach.

If you had the chance to plan the program, what would you do differently?

I believe the program is already quite good, but I would consider scheduling the last activity earlier in the day. It's challenging to accommodate everyone's preferences and find the perfect time and venue.

Did the event provide networking opportunities or open doors for you?

Although I'm generally shy, I feel that I now know many more people, which is a good start. Networking with other PhD students and hearing their experiences is valuable. From a student's perspective, innovation and entrepreneurship may seem risky due to the high failure rate, but there are also successful examples. 

As a PhD student, how do you think engaging with entrepreneurship and innovation can benefit you?

It can benefit me both in the present and the future. Although my current project focuses on basic scientific research, there's a possibility that I may work in an industry setting later on. The knowledge and exposure to entrepreneurship and innovation are valuable in broadening my skills and understanding. While starting my own company is doubtful, the future is uncertain, and having this knowledge now will help me make informed decisions.