Description

Founders Unfiltered: From Breakthrough to Build

Following the successful launch of Innovation Forum Glasgow, Founders Unfiltered returns this November for a second conversation with founders, researchers and innovation leaders from across Scotland’s science and technology ecosystem.

The first session explored the reality behind the founder journey: resilience, self-doubt, letting go, and the persistence required to turn an idea into something real. This follow-on event moves the conversation forward, with a sharper focus on Scotland’s deep tech strengths.

What happens after the breakthrough?

How do founders decide when to pivot, when to persist, and when to stop? How do they move from research promise to commercial proof? How do they build teams, attract investment, work with partners, and keep momentum when the path is still uncertain?

Founders Unfiltered: From Breakthrough to Build will bring together experienced founders and ecosystem voices working across quantum, photonics, advanced engineering, applied AI and science-led innovation to share practical lessons from the messy middle of company building.

This will be an honest, practical and conversational session for researchers, PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, early-stage founders, innovators and ecosystem partners who want to understand what it really takes to move from idea to impact.

Who is this event for?

This event is designed for:

• PhD students and postdoctoral researchers exploring entrepreneurship or careers beyond academia
• Early-stage founders and innovators building science-led ventures
• Researchers looking to translate ideas into real-world applications
• Ecosystem partners, investors, industry professionals and support organisations working with emerging founders
• Anyone interested in Scotland’s growing innovation and commercialisation landscape

What will you gain?

Attendees will gain:

• Practical insight into how founders make difficult decisions
• A clearer understanding of the transition from research to commercial traction
• Lessons on pivots, validation, team-building, fundraising and partnership development
• Honest reflections on uncertainty, resilience and founder self-doubt
• Opportunities to connect with founders, researchers, investors and ecosystem partners across Scotland

Whether you’re exploring your first step into entrepreneurship or already building a venture, this event will offer grounded insight, useful connections and a more honest view of what it takes to build beyond the initial breakthrough.