The commercial potential of research in two minutes. Ph.D. Pitch Contest knows the winner

As part of the Innovation and Entrepreneurial Festival organized by the VUT contriBUTe Innovation and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, a competition of short "pitch" presentations by doctoral students took place. The best performance before the jury, composed of BUT academics and representatives of the innovation agency JIC, was delivered by Vojtěch Dobiáš from the Faculty of Chemistry. Tatiana Pisarenko from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication and Nikola Sobotková from the Faculty of Business and Management were also awarded.

“I am familiar with similar presentations from abroad. It’s really not easy to condense all the essential information into two minutes. I’m glad I succeeded; it’s excellent training,” said Vojtěch Dobiáš upon receiving the winner’s diploma from Martin Weiter, Vice-Rector for Research and Knowledge Transfer.

The contestants had to briefly present the focus of their research and its expected outcomes, emphasizing practical applications and commercialization potential.

Vojtěch Dobiáš presented research on indicators for determining the safety of packaged foods. Tatiana Pisarenko focuses on the physical properties of materials in electrical engineering, while Nikola Sobotková is researching business performance measurement.

“The competition showed that BUT doctoral students are well aware of the commercial potential of their research. In preparing the event, we were inspired by experiences from the USA, where great emphasis is placed on the ability to briefly and clearly explain the essence of research and its application and societal impact. I admit, I didn’t expect all the contestants to handle it so well, and I congratulate them,” said Vít Chlebovský, program coordinator of contriBUTe and Vice-Dean for External Relations at the Faculty of Business and Management, BUT.

The VUT Innovation and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem contriBUTe educates, inspires, and connects. It supports talent development and helps students and staff turn ideas into real businesses.

Related: Innovation and Entrepreneurial Festival 2024 is around the corner again!