For a whole week, emergenCITY researchers exchanged ideas on current research projects, emergenCITY’s mission and founding a company at a barcamp in the emergenCITY laboratory in Mornewegstraße at TU Darmstadt. The agenda evolved from day to day. Participants were able to suggest topics, pass on their knowledge to others in lectures or deepen their knowledge in working groups.

The presentations, workshops and working groups covered topics such as bias in research, data management and the aesthetics and psychology of slide design. There was also a working group on the Nexus demonstrator, a tool that provides a digitalized representation of critical infrastructures to support crisis management and is being developed in collaboration with the German Aerospace Center.

Scientist Felipe Francisco De Souza is holding a presentation, in the background one can see his slides.

Felipe Francisco De Souza held a presentation on bias in research. Photo: emergenCITY, Julian Euler

From university to the start-up scene: lecture by alumnus Konstantin Kurz

The highlight was the presentation by emergenCITY alumnus Konstantin Kurz on Thursday. The co-founder of the biotech start-up BioThrust told how he mastered the leap from the academic world to the start-up scene. He shed light on the secrets of success, challenges, strategies, funding programs and growth opportunities. He talked about business plan competitions and venture capital financing and pointed out the importance of execution, especially for start-ups without patent protection.

“For anyone planning their next steps in research or industry, Konstantin Kurz’s visit offered valuable perspectives and networking opportunities,” summarized Syrine Adala, research associate at emergenCITY.

Group photo with emergenCITY Barcamp participants in front of a presentation in the background.

Some of the emergenCITY Barcamp participants came together with alumnus Konstantin Kurz for a photo. Photo: emergenCITY, Julian Euler

In addition, shared meals, a hike and a team-building activity provided opportunities to network more closely with one another. “For me, the barcamp was a great opportunity for exchange,” said Syrine Adala, ”especially during the joint breakfast and lunch.”