DTU Innovation Stages

You have an idea, a research result or simply a feeling that something could be done better. Nothing needs to be defined yet. This stage is about learning how innovation works, spotting challenges that matter and meeting others who want to build things too.

At a glance: Before IRL 1 · Up to 4 years · Open to everyone

Your focus

• Explore challenges that matter to you
• Learn core innovation tools like problem framing and user interviews
• Check whether the problem matters to society or a market
• Meet the Skylab community and find collaborators

You might be

• A student testing new concepts in a course or side project
• A researcher wondering how your work could be used outside the lab
• Curious about what building a startup is really like

DTU opportunities

• Skylab Inspire & Innovate
• Open Innovation X (Oi-X)
• Hackathons and sprints
• Explore
• Community and Unlocked events

Funding

• Pre CVR: EIC Pathfinder, for research based breakthrough ideas
• Post CVR: Not relevant yet

IP activities

• Talk to Skylab or the Tech Transfer Office if your idea builds on DTU research
• Learn the basics of DTU's IP policy
• Submit a Notification of Invention (NoI) when you have something new

Typical outcomes

• A clear picture of how DTU's innovation ecosystem works
• One or more problems you want to dig into
• First contact with mentors, peers or programme staff

Ready to advance

You move to Discovery when you have submitted a Notification of Invention or can describe a clear hypothesis about a real need.