Ventures in Emerging & Critical Technologies for Aerospace & Robotics

• Deep-tech entrepreneurship
• Aerospace & robotics
• IP valorisation
• Lab-to-market
• Spinoff/venture creation

Deep-tech researchers at any career stage whose research shows potential for aerospace and/or robotics applications and alignment with EU strategic innovation priorities.

VECTAR is a 7-week hybrid entrepreneurial education and pre-incubation programme for deep-tech researchers. Its objective is not to turn researchers into entrepreneurs, but to equip them with knowledge, methodologies, and instruments to pursue successful commercialisation – whether as entrepreneurs or in partnership with market-oriented professionals. 

The programme is structured in two main components: a 6-week online training phase and a 3-day in-person bootcamp at FEAT House in Turin. The online phase delivers structured modules covering: IP and patents valorisation, Open Innovation and industry engagement, customer discovery basics, market analysis, pitching for fundraising, as well as team building and growth strategy. The bootcamp builds on these foundations through hands-on workshops on OKR and hypothesis validation, business modelling, rapid testing prototyping, go-to-market strategies. It concludes with a pitch competition evaluated by a jury of ecosystem stakeholders, after which the top three pitches receive tailored follow-up support. 

The consortium has secured letters of intent from I3P, LIFTT, CIM4.0, City of Turin, Enter Academy, and Martin Olczyk (former Managing Director of Techstars Torino, Amsterdam, and Berlin). Participants completing the full programme receive Open Badges issued by Fondazione LINKS.

• Assess the commercial potential of research results and select appropriate IP protection and valorisation strategies (licensing, spin-off, technology transfer).
• Understand Open Innovation mechanisms and how to position research as a solution to industrial needs, including structuring Proofs of Concept.
• Apply customer discovery and hypothesis validation methods to translate research into testable market assumptions.
• Use business modelling tools (Business Model Canvas) and prototyping approaches to define and test commercialisation pathways.
• Develop and deliver a structured pitch communicating the problem, solution, value proposition, and market pathway to investors, industry partners, and innovation programmes.