Students explore CERN technologies for new venture concepts

Since 2008, cohorts of Masters students from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU School of Entrepreneurship) have been coming to the Laboratory for the CERN-NTNU screening week.

The programme provides the students with a unique environment to hone their entrepreneurial skills related to technology and knowledge transfer. In return, students contribute to identifying new applications of CERN technologies. 

In 2023, 45 students collaborated with CERN scientists to envision future applications of four pre-selected technologies. Their ideas ranged from cooling systems for medical devices, to machine learning algorithms for the detection of ice formation in wind turbines, to glucose level monitoring.

A joint CERN-NTNU doctoral research project studies the diffusion of CERN's technologies and deep-tech innovations for startups and how students taking part in training at CERN has an impact on this. While presenting unique entrepreneurial opportunities, harnessing CERN's technologies for commercialisation may pose initial challenges. The findings from this research indicate that these challenges have a positive impact on educating future deep-tech entrepreneurs, encouraging their exploration and exploitation of innovation.

Students learn from CERN, home of some of the most technological advances in Europe, while being inspired by the innovation ecosystem surrounding scientists. This has triggered their ambitions to work on future startups to take on high-risk, high-reward cases and create sustainable future values for our society.

– Professor Øystein Widding,
Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management, NTNU
Director of Engage – Centre for Engaged Education through Entrepreneurship
(https://engage-centre.no)