Alex Nikonov’s Post

Startups move fast. Corporates think big. The Real Challenge? Moving Together. And why platforms help succeed in Startup Collaboration: When large organizations like AstraZeneca collaborate with startups, the challenge isn’t just starting the partnership — it’s making sure knowledge, ideas, and progress don’t get lost along the way. That’s where the innosabi platform comes in. It acts as a central hub that: • Gives strategic oversight of the entire portfolio • Creates transparency so teams know what others are working on • Makes knowledge sharing a natural part of the process • Opens the door to new synergies and collaborations Without this visibility, even the best ideas can stay hidden in silos. With it, innovation flows more freely across teams, projects, and disease areas. Because innovation doesn’t just happen in labs — it happens in the connections between people, startups and projects.

🌍 Meet the mentors behind the Open Horizons Inception Phase    Today we introduce you the experts who will guide our women-led startups through the Inception Phase - a key step of their journey, starting on October 27.   Selected and coordinated by InnovX, our mentors bring expertise in technology, finance, sustainability, and innovation management.    🤝 Meet our exceptional experts and mentors guiding our founders through the Inception phase: Maria-Luiza Jipescu, Alina Irma O., Aimen Aldahash, Suleiman A, Mădălina Dobre, Steliana Moraru, Liviu Munteanu, Madalina Ciinaru, Bogdan Năforniţă, Sonia-Denisa Fedorovici, Melinda Mureșan, Adina Saniuta, Ph.D., Bogdan Coraci, and György Bodó, PhD, Delia NECULA, Dorina T., Valeria Popescu, Raluca Nicolescu, CFA.. and others to join us!   They help the selected startups to shape viable business models, design proof-of-concepts, and prepare them for the pilot collaboration with corporates.    🚀 Their perspectives, connections, and know-how will help women founders to grow with confidence and clarity.  #OpenHorizons #WomenInTech #Deeptech #Mentorship #Innovation #StartupEurope

Startups are proving that #innovation and #sustainability aren’t opposites — they’re partners in progress. Startups that integrate sustainability grow faster, attract investment, and build resilience. 🌳 Innovation is no longer enough — impact is the new metric of success. These are the sectors reshaping how we live and produce, and at South Summit Industry & Energy, they meet to rethink the future together. We're back this month to Bizkaia, where that language becomes action. Discover how startups are redefining innovation through sustainability in our most recent blog. 👇🏾 https://lnkd.in/dZhxmpiG

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, associations are emerging as key players in fostering growth and innovation. The latest article, "Associations Growth: The Startup Success You Need to Know About," highlights how these organizations are uniquely positioned to support startups by providing essential resources, networking opportunities, and industry insights. As we witness an increase in the entrepreneurial spirit across various sectors, associations have stepped up their game to adapt to these dynamic needs. Not only do they empower startups with the tools they need to thrive, but they also play a crucial role in bridging gaps between emerging businesses and established industry leaders. Key takeaways from the article include the importance of forming synergies between startups and associations, as well as leveraging collective knowledge to overcome common business challenges. Understanding these dynamics can inform future strategies for both new and established enterprises. What strategies have you found most effective for fostering collaboration between startups and associations in your industry? Read the full article: [https://lnkd.in/ebQsYx6d

Want to pitch to investors? Network with Medtech and business experts? Or just see what other startups are building? This is the room you’ll want to be in. No matter your background, if you're interested in MedTech and entrepreneurship, your idea doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to escape your notebook. Bring it to a room full of entrepreneurs, innovators, and future founders. Orbion Connect, KCL MedTech Society and Copenhagen MedTech are hosting an exciting Pitch Night that could take you all the way to Copenhagen’s Annual MedTech Summit, which is one of Europe’s biggest stages for MedTech founders, innovators and investors. 3 ways to take part: 1. 60-Second Idea Pitches Have an idea, a prototype, or even a just problem you want to solve? Take 60 seconds to share it with the audience. There’s no competition or pressure, just your vision and a chance to get feedback, meet potential co-founders, and build connections. 2. 5-Minute Start-Up Pitch Competition Already working on a MedTech or HealthTech project or startup (with at least one KCL member)? This is your opportunity to pitch to expert judges for a chance to attend Copenhagen’s MedTech Summit and meet global innovators. 3. Attend as a Networker or Audience Member Even if you’re not pitching, you’ll want to be there. Meet founders, mentors, and students passionate about healthcare and technology. You might discover a start-up to join, an idea to back, or a new path for your own journey. All the information you need is on the registration link attached to this post below. We're lucky enough to welcome one of our guest judges this year: Amardeep Parmar, angel investor, podcaster and co-founder of Bae HQ, a leading network championing Asian representation in business and entrepreneurship. When: Thursday, October 30 | 6–9pm Where: Strand Campus Register here: https://lnkd.in/ekRiXYFc Tristan Derry and I can't wait to see you there, please do share/repost this opportunity with any budding healthtech enthusiasts! 😊 #MedTech #HealthcareInnovation #Entrepreneurship #Startups #PitchNight #HealthTech #NetworkingEvent

Universities are home to some of the most groundbreaking ideas, but turning research into successful startups takes more than just innovation. It requires collaboration between academia, investors, and entrepreneurs who know how to navigate the deep tech ecosystem. This panel brings together leaders who have done exactly that – building, funding, and scaling science-driven ventures from the ground up. Together, they’ll share what works when it comes to bridging the gap between lab and market. Panelists: 🟥 Anssi Uimonen, Co-founder, Nordic Science Investments – with decades of experience spinning out companies from universities into global success stories. 🟥 David Photien, Founding Partner, SCE Freiraum Ventures – investing in early-stage university spin-offs in partnership with the Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship in Munich. 🟥 Jan Korenek , CSO & Co-founder, DYNANIC – serial founder and deep-tech innovator behind successful spin-offs like Flowmon Networks and Netcope Technologies. Moderator: 🎙️ Milos Sochor, Funding and Growth Advisor, JIC Ventures – seasoned investor and founder-focused mentor helping companies grow sustainably and connect traditional industries with innovation. Join us as we explore how deep tech startups emerge from universities, where investors see the biggest opportunities, and what it takes to turn breakthrough science into scalable business. Join us on October 22 for the morning panel to hear their insights. GET ENGAGED 📍 Engaged Investments 2025 | October 22–23 | Prague 🎟 engaged.investments #EngagedInvestments #DeepTech #Universities #VentureCapital #Innovation #Startups #TechTransfer #CEE

I remember what Alina Irma O. said when I asked her to describe InnovX in just one word. 𝐒𝐇𝐄 said: LIFTOFF! And honestly? That’s exactly what it feels like right now, because we're kicking off the Open Horizons Project #InceptionProgramme, powered by InnovX. The phase where everything becomes REAL. How, you ask? 💃7 𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍-led deep-tech startups 💃5 industry-leading corporates 💃20+ bada$$ mentors and experts 💃One mission: build business cases that are fundable, scalable, and corporate-ready. Which makes me think: hey, this isn’t just acceleration, not our... business as usual. We have women-led, deep-tech focused, and corporately anchored alignment, strategy, pressure-testing, AND execution, all in a few intense weeks that will make or break what comes next (and yes, we’ll get into that soon, promise). I’m genuinely humbled (and damn proud, too!!) to coordinate, host, and moderate this incredible Programme! But truth be told, none of this happens alone.❤️huge shoutout 𝐭̲𝐨̲ ̲𝐭̲𝐡̲𝐞̲ ̲𝐜̲𝐨̲𝐨̲𝐥̲𝐞̲𝐬̲𝐭̲,̲ ̲𝐟̲𝐚̲𝐬̲𝐭̲𝐞̲𝐬̲𝐭̲,̲ ̲𝐚̲𝐧̲𝐝̲ ̲𝐬̲𝐡̲𝐚̲𝐫̲𝐩̲𝐞̲𝐬̲𝐭̲ ̲𝐬̲𝐪̲𝐮̲𝐚̲𝐝̲ ̲𝐢̲𝐧̲ ̲𝐭̲𝐡̲𝐞̲ ̲𝐛̲𝐮̲𝐬̲𝐢̲𝐧̲𝐞̲𝐬̲𝐬̲, the #XTeam: Gabriel Arabu, Diana DUMITRESCU, PhD., Daniel Dumitrescu, PhD., Alexandra Ionescu, Bianca Păcurar, George Cristian Radu and Rares Gherasim. Projects like this fly because of you all! And most importantly: to our 𝕄𝔼ℕ𝕋𝕆ℝ𝕊, the real backbone of this journey, who will guide, challenge, and empower these founders to reach new heights - #ThankYou for showing up with your expertise, energy, and faith in what’s next: Maria-Luiza Jipescu, Alina Irma Orban, Aimen Aldahash, Suleiman A, Robert Pufan, Steliana Moraru, Liviu Munteanu, Madalina C., Bogdan Năforniţă 🚀, Sonia-Denisa Fedorovici, Melinda Mureșan, Adina Saniuta, Ph.D., Bogdan Coraci, György Bodó, PhD., Delia NECULA, Sergiu Pop, Madalina D., Dorina T., Valeria Popescu, Raluca Nicolescu, CFA, Diana Dumitrescu and Dani Dumitrescu. Let’s make some noise - Let’s make it count - Let’s make it work. PPC Romania | Siemens | LG Electronics | Stahl | Elyaf Tekstil #OpenHorizons #InnovX #DeepTech #WomenInTech #PoC #InceptionPhase #CorporateInnovation #AcceleratorModeOn #Liftoff

🚀 Big news from our startups! We’re excited to share that two of our startups, CIT Co. Ltd. and Innowave Tech Pte Ltd, have made it to the Top 60 Global Startups at SLINGSHOT 2025, competing under the domains of 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘦 & 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘺 and 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘋𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘛𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘦𝘴, respectively! 🎉 Selected from over 6,800 startups across 150+ markets, these innovators will take the stage in Singapore this October to pitch their breakthrough solutions to global investors and industry leaders. At Start2 Group, we’ve been proud to support their international growth through our bespoke global programs, featuring tailored workshops, pitch training, 1:1 mentoring, in-country immersion, and ecosystem deep dives. 🇰🇷 CIT Co. Ltd. - Developing Atomic Sputtering Epitaxy technology for ultra-flat copper and beyond, boosting speed and reliability for AI-era interconnects and advanced materials. 🇸🇬 Innowave Tech Pte Ltd - Empowering industrial manufacturers with AI solutions for zero-defect production and factory autonomy, deployed with 30+ tech leaders across semiconductors and aerospace. We’re incredibly proud to see these startups making waves on the global stage, and we’ll be cheering them on as they showcase their innovation at Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH) 2025! 💪 🎟️ Watch them live at SWITCH & get your pass: https://lnkd.in/eGJ9raYV ------ 📣 You can also catch CIT Co. Ltd. live at our upcoming event “𝙄𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝘽𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨: 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙚 & 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝙆𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙖 𝙋𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝙉𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙎𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙚” in collaboration with Pusan National University, Korea Maritime & Ocean University, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, CORFO | Chilean Economic Development Agency, and Imagine on October 28. ✍ RSVP for this event here: https://lnkd.in/ed7zPSRg … #SLINGSHOT2025 #DeepTech #GlobalStartups #Innovation #Ecosystem #Start2Group #SoutheastAsia #SouthKorea #Singapore #SWITCH2025 #PitchNight

Munich: Where Innovation Meets Responsibility 🌱 At this year's One Young World Summit, one of the key questions will be: ✨ How can emerging tech be used responsibly - for people and the planet? Munich isn't just home to leading tech companies - the city also puts a strong focus on responsible tech. A growing movement of impact entrepreneurs uses technology to drive positive change, creating solutions that tackle society's and the planet's biggest challenges. Here in Munich, purpose-driven innovation meets entrepreneurial energy. The city's ecosystem supports startups at every stage. The Social Entrepreneurship Akademie (SEA) and Social Entrepreneurship Netzwerk Deutschland (SEND) e.V. for example help founders turn ideas into impactful ventures, while investors, research institutions, and talent networks strengthen collaboration. The City of Munich's Impact Incubator provides coaching, coworking space, and funding - giving impact startups the runway to thrive. Together, these organizations make Munich a real hub for responsible innovation. Startups like RECUP, Integreat, or Reactive Robotics prove that business can be scalable and generate positive impact. And only recently, five Munich ventures were recognized on the Norrsken/100 list, highlighting the city's strength in impact-driven entrepreneurship. From circular economy to climate tech and digital inclusion, Munich's impact-driven founders are proving that tech can be a force for good. At the Summit - and beyond - let's harness technology responsibly, building a future where innovation and impact grow hand in hand. #OYW25 #ImpactStartups #SocialInnovation #SDGs #responsibleTech #CircularEconomy

🎥 A quick glimpse from StartupTN Global Startup Summit #TNGSS2025 — but here’s something worth noting beyond the stage lights. Most people see startup summits as places to pitch, promote, or find investors. But events like these are actually real-time data hubs — you get to observe market shifts, tech trends, and investor interests all in one physical space. 💡 Think about it — When 72,000+ attendees, 1,000+ booths, and 600+ speakers gather under one roof, it’s not just networking. It’s a live map of where Tamil Nadu’s innovation energy is moving. Here’s what stood out for me this year: 1️⃣ The spotlight on co-creation — TN’s ₹100 Cr Co-Creation Fund shows the shift from “solo founders” to collaborative innovation. 2️⃣ The rise of tech-enabled sustainability — green energy, EV, and waste management booths weren’t just trend fillers, they were business-ready solutions. 3️⃣ And, the silent power of regional founders — who are building world-class ideas without moving to metros. Every conversation I had was less about “how much funding you raised” and more about “how scalable your problem-solving is.” That’s the kind of mindset shift the ecosystem needs. If you’re a founder, marketer, or creative trying to understand where Tamil Nadu’s startup culture is heading —start watching these summits not as events, but as ecosystem mirrors. Because every booth, every investor panel, every demo you see —is a signal of what the next 5 years of innovation will look like. #TNGSS2025 #StartupTN #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #TamilNaduStartups #Fiche #FoundersJourney #MohanrajKittusamy