Researchpreneur
Mindset

THE FOUNDATION FOR AN
ENTREPRENEURIAL CAREER PATH

Build resilience, clarity, and self-awareness to approach challenges with confidence and make strategic decisions that move you forward.

Success starts with the right mindset. The Researchpreneur Mindset is an immersive two-and-a-half-day experience designed to help researchers step outside their academic comfort zones and develop the confidence, resilience, and strategic thinking needed to navigate new opportunities—whether within a company, a spin-off, or a completely new venture.

GROUP SESSION

INTRAPRENEURSHIP / ENTREPRENEURSHIP

APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED

What You’ll Gain

Understand your entrepreneurial potential
How to test your entrepreneurial skills
How to break free from academic silos
How to provide insights into your future
How to make a meaningful impact on the world

Our focus is not just on challenging your thinking, but on pushing you beyond your comfort zone (post-PhD) and provide insights into your future. Join us on this transformative adventure, where your potential meets purpose, and embark on a journey encouraging you to consider entrepreneurship as a means to impact society with your knowledge.

Who It's For

PhD researchers and postdocs

considering entrepreneurship as a career path.
who are about to start a startup / spinoff
looking to explore new entrepreneurial career paths, whether in industry, entrepreneurship, or leadership roles.

No prior business knowledge required—just curiosity and an open mind.

3 Modules

Online welcome session (Workshop)
📆 Monday May 18th, 6PM CET (CET) till 7.30pm (CET)
Title:
The Researchpreneur Mindset: How to prepare you’re future?
🎤 Speaker:
Steve Stevens - Founder of Heirloom Labs
📍 Bootcamp weekend onsite in Ostend
📆 Friday May 29th at 2pm CET till Sunday May 31st at 5PM
Program:
- May 29th: Arrival in Ostend
  - Getting to know each other
  - the importance of collaboration, building relationships and having confidence
  - Entrepreneurial teamwork
  - Pitch yourself
- May 30th: Learning how to spot entrepreneurship opportunities and exploring your entrepreneurial mindset
  - Healthy mind in a healthy body
  - Self Leadership
  - Entrepreneurs’ Mindset
  - The Business setting
  - Research & Entrepreneurship experiences from peers
  - Out-of-the comfortzone challenge
- May 31st: Understanding of personal values, motivations and direction.
  - Yoga
  - Team spirit
  - Personal Goals & -ambitions
  - Your future entrepreneurial Self
  - Presentations
1-on-1 online reflection session
30 min meeting - Free to book in June

Practical details

📍 Location:

Module 1: Online
Module 2: In-person, residential in Ostend - Hotel Leopold
Module 3: Online

🌍 Environmentally conscious:

Bootcamp location conveniently situated near train station.

📆 Duration:

Module 1: Monday 18th May - 6pm till 7.30pm
Module 2: Friday 29th May - 2pm till Sunday 31st May - 5pm
Module 3: During June (self-scheduled 30 min reflection call)

👥 Format:

Group-based, hands-on exercises and peer discussions

🎯 Outcome:

Walk away with a clearer sense of direction and practical
strategies for your future career path

Dr. Davy Vercruysse

Steve Stevens

Application:

Apply by May 7th for your chance to be part of the edition.

After registration with your motivation, we will send you a link to book a 15-minute appointment with our trainers. This will be a selection interview to assess your fit with the program and to select 19 participants from the candidates of Hasselt University, Ghent University, KULeuven and VUBrussels. There are two spots available for researchers who are not affiliated with these universities.

20 days prior to the start of the program (8th May), we will announce our selection. In case there are more suitable candidates, we will create a reserve list to address any last-minute changes and also for future editions of the program.