Many researchers join CISPA to solve problems that matter. They know the excitement when an algorithm finally works, when a method reveals its elegance, or when a breakthrough hints at real-world impact. Yet once the paper is published, a new question often emerges: What happens next? Idea Safari is a full-day workshop on March 12, 2026 (10 AM – 4 PM) that creates a deliberately low-threshold space precisely where academic excellence intersects with entrepreneurial options. Participants explore their own ideas, test hypotheses in real-world contexts, and discover paths that are not only intellectually compelling but could also create genuine impact on the world.
CISPA has a strong track record in this space. Startups such as QuantPi, Detesia, InputLab, and Fuzzware all started with researchers asking how their work could evolve into something tangible. Idea Safari builds on this experience by offering a structured yet open environment for exploration, whether participants are already considering a start-up path or simply want to broaden their horizons.
The workshop is structured into four practice-oriented blocks that encourage reflection, experimentation, and honest conversation:
Block I: Why Is Entrepreneurship Interesting for You Too
A realistic look at entrepreneurial paths, including opportunities, trade-offs, and the personal motivations behind taking research further.
Block II: What Are Entrepreneurs Made of?
Successful tech founders are often researchers first. This session highlights which research skills already translate into entrepreneurial strengths and where additional learning may help.
Walky Talky: Going Out with Your Ideas
In an informal outdoor setting, participants discuss and test early thoughts about their research. The change of environment encourages fresh perspectives and open conversations.
Block III: Connecting Research to Reality
How does a prototype become a product? How does a method become a solution? This session connects laboratory work with real-world needs and introduces practical approaches to shaping potential business cases, even without a concrete idea.
Beyond the content sessions, Idea Safari also serves as an entry point for future founding projects. Interested participants gain direct access to the CISPA Technology Transfer team, supported through mentoring, consulting, and potential funding channels. This way, an initial question can become a concrete next step, or even the beginning of a founding journey, just like QuantPi, Detesia, InputLab, and Fuzzware before.
Idea Safari demonstrates one thing above all: Curiosity, research excellence, and entrepreneurial thinking can be united in a single format, and together turn into something unique.
Ready to take your research further? Reach out to us at startups@cispa.de
