Deep tech meets science commercialisation
A series of masterclasses with Schmidt Science Fellows on the innovation process, market need, and raising investment. In six weeks they proved a point.
Most scientists dream of changing the world with their research, but only a few decide to make it happen outside the lab.
This summer I had the privilege of working with an extraordinary group of Schmidt Science Fellows, scientists at the cutting edge of their fields based at exceptional universities across the globe, to help them start on this journey by developing the commercial skills to pitch their startup ideas.
In a short series of masterclasses, we covered the fundamentals of the innovation process, market need, and raising investment.
In just six short weeks, they proved what I've always believed about scientists: give them a solid framework and they can absorb and apply complex commercial concepts with the same rigour they bring to their research.
They challenged their own assumptions, broke down early ideas, rebuilt them stronger, and delivered sharp, compelling pitches to a panel of VCs, founders, and industry leaders. Their work culminated at the Schmidt Science Fellows 2025 Interdisciplinary Science Summit, an event in association with Caltech that celebrated bold, transformative, high-impact science and the entrepreneurial spirit driving it forwards.
Science discoveries are just the beginning.
I think we need more scientists starting the journey of delivering those discoveries to reach the people who need them.
Thank you to Schmidt Science Fellows, particularly Arielle Baker and Christine Norton, for inviting me to deliver this inaugural impact programme, and especially the cohort for their excellent work.
