BIP Empowering Academia

Blended Intensive Programme (BIP)

Empowering Academia: Cultivating Entrepreneurial Mindsets and Real-World Skills

8–12 September 2025 (onsite part) + additional virtual elements

The Academic Entrepreneurship Training (BIP)  is designed to equip participants with essential entrepreneurial skills and knowledge for success in academic and professional settings. The five-day onsite program blends networking, learning, and practical application, culminating in a group pitch of a business idea to a jury. The program aims to help participants develop an entrepreneurial mindset, identify key skills, and explore strategies to apply these skills in their careers.

To prepare the participants, we will provide a comprehensive reading list for self-study and invite them to preparatory workshops. The program will also include a virtual introductory meeting and a two-day virtual bootcamp (one day with a 2.5-hour online workshop and a second day with a 2-hour Q&A, evaluation, and exchange session).

This BIP is organized by FORTHEM at JGU Mainz, in cooperation with the participating FORTHEM partners Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, University of Latvia, and University of Jyväskylä.

If you like to participate, please contact your regional FORTHEM office or the FORTHEM Academy for Early Stage Researchers. PhD-students from Johannes Gutenberg University can register in the registration form below.

03.09.2025 (Virtual Introductory session)

Human Capital, teambuilding and networking skills as building blocks to entrepreneurial journey

Nina Rautiainen (Innovation & Growth Ecosystem Jyväskylä & FORTHEM External Advisory Council Member)

(13:00 - 16:00 CET, open to the public)

Nina Rautiainen, based in Jyväskylä, Finland, is a leading expert in innovation ecosystems, entrepreneurship, and regional development. She serves as Program Manager for Innovation & Growth Ecosystems at the City of Jyväskylä and plays key roles in hydrogen mobility, startup acceleration, and investor collaboration. Notably, she is a member of the External Advisory Council of FORTHEM, marking a special connection with our alliance.

The session will be organized as an interactive workshop, combining a detailed introduction, guided input sessions, breakout room discussions in small groups, and a closing plenary with Q&A.

08.09.2025 (Day 1)

Arrival and Get-Together

Informal welcome evening in Mainz for participants and trainers to get to know each other and exchange research backgrounds and motivations

09.09.2025 (Day 2)

ZWW Stiftungshaus STH 13, Johann-Friedrich-von-Pfeiffer-Weg 2

Welcome Note

Prof. Dr. Stefan Müller-Stach, Vice President for Research and Early Career Academics

Awareness Raising and Entrepreneurial Skills Development

Agnese Lastovska (University of Latvia) & Anna Rosinus (Hochschule Mainz)

Participants begin with team building and a foundational introduction to academic entrepreneurship. They are introduced to key concepts of business thinking, including target group analysis, value propositions, and the marketing mix. In interactive sessions, participants apply this knowledge to develop first versions of their business ideas in interdisciplinary teams.
Goal: By the end of the day, teams have shaped a draft business model and prepared a first short pitch outline.

10.09.2025 (Day 3)

ZWW Stiftungshaus STH 13, Johann-Friedrich-von-Pfeiffer-Weg 2

First Group Pitches and Academic Entrepreneurship

Anna Rosinus (Hochschule Mainz) & Agnese Lastovska (University of Latvia)

The day focuses on linking business logic with academic career paths. After early-stage pitch presentations, participants explore creative methodologies such as Design Thinking and Jobs-to-be-Done to refine their ideas. Afternoon sessions are devoted to developing academic-aligned impact models and sketching out fictional crowdfunding campaigns.
Goal: Enhance communication and strategic skills to align entrepreneurship with research-based solutions and public engagement.

11.09.2025 (Day 4)

ZWW Stiftungshaus STH 13, Johann-Friedrich-von-Pfeiffer-Weg 2

Startup Ecosystems, IPR & Strategy

Reija Häkkinen (University of Jyväskylä) & Jarno Mikkonen (University of Jyväskylä)

Participants gain an in-depth understanding of public and private support systems for startups, including incubators and accelerators. With tools like the Lean Canvas, they structure and analyse their ideas further. A hands-on crash course on intellectual property rights (IPR) and innovation protection follows. In the final session, teams begin to define roadmaps, financial strategies, and prepare for their pitch.
Goal: Understand the startup ecosystem and how academic projects can navigate funding, legal frameworks, and business logic.

12.09.2025 (Day 5)

ZWW Stiftungshaus STH 13, Johann-Friedrich-von-Pfeiffer-Weg 2

Group Pitching, Feedback and Closing

Jarno Mikkonen (University of Jyväskylä) & Reija Häkkinen (University of Jyväskylä)
with the special participation of Futury

The final day is fully dedicated to pitch refinement and delivery. In a formal pitch round, teams present their ideas to a jury of experts from academia, business, and startup advisory. Feedback is shared in an open discussion format, followed by a closing session and informal networking.
Goal: Present a research-based business or impact idea clearly, confidently, and convincingly to a professional audience.

17.09.2025 (Virtual Workshop)

Discover Your Resilience

YES-Trainers, Falling Walls Foundation

What do you know about self-management in complex and volatile environments? Resilience is an integral part of mental health and of managing our resources as scientists and entrepreneurs. In this workshop, you will learn about useful mindsets to cope with stressful situations, and develop strategies that suit your needs.

Discover how to train your inner strength by using your personal resources.

  • Learn about useful mindsets to cope with stressful situations
  • Practise creating room for positive perspectives
  • Develop resilience strategies that suit your needs

18.09.2025 (Virtual Closing Session)

(13:00 - 16:00 CET, open to the public)

Nicole Birkle (FORTHEM, General Secretary) & Georg Pantelidis (FORTHEM, Event Organizer)

Closing session for Q&A, evaluation and feedback

Registration BIP Empowering Academia (Only JGU)

This registration form is only for PhD students of Johannes Gutenberg University. If you come from another FORTHEM unviersity and wish to participate in the Blended Intensive Programme, please contact your regional FORTHEM office or the FORTHEM Academy for Early Stage Researchers.

Status Group(erforderlich)
Please use your university mail address. If you use an mail address outside of JGU Mainz, the data cannot be protected against access by third parties.
I agree to be contacted by the FORTHEM Academy for ESRs and get information on specific future actions for ESRs in FORTHEM.(erforderlich)
Registration for the Virtual Introductory Session
Even if participation in the BIP is no longer possible due to limited spots, you can still join the Virtual Introductory Session on September 3 at 13:00, conducted by Nina Rautiainen. Please register accordingly ticking this box to receive the link to the online session.
Registration for the Virtual Workshop "Discover Your Resilience"
Even if participation in the BIP is no longer possible due to limited spots, you can still join the Virtual Introductory Session on September 17 at 12:00, conducted by the Falling Walls Foundation. Please register accordingly ticking this box to receive the link to the online session.
Consent(erforderlich)
https://www.forthem-alliance.eu/alliance/gdpr-notice