Take your PhD to the Max! Any current student and recent graduate from the University of Edinburgh can utilize our services, including PhD students, however we have some activity especially for PhD students only. PhD Max+ Pre-Accelerator Programme Interested in commercialising your PhD and taking it to the next level but don’t know where to start? Join us for our brand-new PhD programme.PhD Max+ is an exciting pre-accelerator programme designed to empower the next generation of PhD students in their entrepreneurial journey.This eight-session programme is tailored to students at the University of Edinburgh who are interested in exploring entrepreneurship and leveraging their specialised knowledge to push the boundaries of their respective fields.Throughout the sessions, you will engage in thought-provoking discussions and interactive workshops on various topics such as startup fundamentals, ideation, intellectual property, market research, customer discovery, pitching and more. These sessions will be held on specific dates starting from January and concluding in March. Programme details In these sessions we’ll help you explore entrepreneurship and how to commercialise your PhD:DateName of session Description Thursday 15th JanuaryWelcome social and PhD Max+ alumni stories We kick off the programme with an inspiring opening session featuring Rea Michalopoulou, a PhD Max+ alumna. Rea will share her journey of completing a PhD while exploring entrepreneurship, offering an honest and insightful perspective on balancing academic research with venture creation.Thursday 22nd JanuaryResearch to impact: shifting your mindsetAn interactive session focused on reframing research through an impact- and opportunity-led lens.Thursday 29th JanuaryBuilding your visionWe are joined by design thinking expert Kat Pohorecka, Founder and Chief Product Officer of Mude. Kat will share her approach to building purpose-driven ventures through human-centred design.Mude enables women to integrate insulin pumps into any clothing combination, giving them greater freedom and choice. This practical workshop will help you shape a clear, compelling vision for translating your research into real-world impact.Thursday 5th FebruaryValidation and market researchThis session is joined by Julian Zagalak from the Staff Enterprise Team, who will share practical tools and tips for market research and validation. With over 14 years of experience in molecular neuroscience, RNA biology, and bioinformatics, Julian has worked across leading research institutions including ETH Zurich, Max Planck, UCL, and the UK Dementia Research Institute. His academic expertise, combined with hands-on startup experience, enables him to support researchers looking to spin out from the University.Thursday 12th FebruarySolution development Develop and refine your solution with a focus on feasibility, value creation, and scalability. Richard Palmer will guide the session, sharing insights from his own founder journey alongside practical tips and lessons learned.Thursday 26th FebruaryIntellectual Property (IP) basicsJoin our Technology Transfer team for a dedicated IP Basics session designed specifically for PhD Max+. This session will help you understand how to take the right steps to recognise, manage, and protect your intellectual property. This is a special session delivered exclusively within cohort programmes.Thursday 5th MarchPitching skillsJoin Christina Starko and Sarah Gibbens for a practical session on how to deliver a strong, engaging pitch that leaves your audience excited and wanting more.Thursday 19th March Final pitch-off The programme concludes with a final pitch session, celebrating progress and showcasing the ideas developed throughout PhD Max+. For all PhD students from the University of Edinburgh.Open to PhD students from any year and discipline, PhD Max offers a unique opportunity to delve into the world of entrepreneurship and develop the skills necessary to transform innovative ideas into impactful ventures. Whether you have a concrete business idea or simply aspire to become a founder in the future, this programme will equip you with the essential tools and knowledge to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape.To participate in PhD Max+ all you need is a laptop and a desire to learn and connect with like-minded individuals. By attending all the sessions, you ensure the best outcome when it comes to refining and pitching your ideas. Join PhD Max today and embark on a transformative journey that will amplify your PhD experience, nurture your entrepreneurial mindset and empower you to make a meaningful impact in the world. Should you win funding as part of this programme, a UK bank account is preferred for all payments. Requests to use non-UK bank accounts may be considered on a case-by-case basis and may be subject to additional checks or processing time. Apply now Deadline: midnight on Monday 5th January 2026 The welcoming, noncompetitive, and warm environment allowed me to really take advantage of the programme and the overall lessons learned, as well as become good friends with my fellow PhD Max students. 2024 participant Loved the structure, the flow and the dynamics of the programme and the arrangement of the event fits perfectly for a phd student's schedule 2024 participant This article was published on 2024-07-01
