The Researcher Entrepreneur

Dr. George Vekinis is a Director of Research at the National Research Centre "Demokritos" (NCSRD) in Greece. In the past, he served as the Director of the Education Office of NCSRD, the President of the Researchers' Association, the President of the Hellenic Society of Condensed Matter, and on numerous scientific committees of various conferences. Previously, he worked as a Chief Researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa and as an associate researcher at the Engineering Department of the University of Cambridge, UK. Currently, he teaches postgraduate courses in Innovation Management at the Technical University of Crete and in Advanced Materials at the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki. In the past, he was a visiting professor and speaker at many institutions in Europe, Asia, and the US, a senior consultant in Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship for the European Commission, and a reviewer and impact assessor for many international research projects. He is the President of AIT SA and has mentored several start-up companies. He has published nearly 300 publications, reports, and conference presentations, two monographs on technology transfer and entrepreneurship, and a popular science book entitled "Physics in the Kitchen."

1. Researchers and Entrepreneurship.- 2. Bridging Two Worlds.- 3. Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained.- 4. Decisions, Decisions.- 5. An Invention Is not an Innovation.- 6. Opportunities Are Everywhere... and If There Aren't, Create Them!.- 7. Can You Manage as well as You research?.- 8. Strong Foundations.- 9. Aim for Perfection.- 10. Strategise like a 5* General.- 11. There Is More than One Way to Rome.- 12. Be Disruptive... But Don't Disrupt!.- 13. Think Ahead and Fit the Purpose.- 14. Is Your Financial Base Solid?.- 15. In... Agreements We Trust.- 16. Timing Is Critical.- 17. Risk Wisely.- 18. Protect Your Technology... But Not Too Much!.- 19. Viability, Not Just Feasibility.- 20. Skilling and Re-skilling.- 21. The Market Is Your Guide.- 22. Position, Position, Position.- 23. Commercialisation Readiness Index.- 24. Obstacles Are Just Challenges.- 25. There Is Always That Little Bit Extra You Can Offer.- 26. Consolidate First, Diversify Later.- 27. Diamonds From Ashes.- 28. Open a Window to the World.- 29. A Final Thought: Proactivity Breactivity Every Time.