In today’s global tech business landscape, success requires a diverse set of skills ranging from market knowledge to leadership abilities. However, in Europe, the lack of tech giants like Google or Amazon can be attributed to silo thinking, where young entrepreneurs are trained in narrow domains. Cinzia Da Vià, a physics professor at Manchester University, highlights this issue and emphasizes the importance of breaking down disciplinary barriers to foster a more holistic approach to tech entrepreneurship.
Da Vià’s insights are particularly relevant in the context of the ATTRACT Academy, an EU-funded project aimed at equipping young tech entrepreneurs with a comprehensive skill set. The project has already impacted over 900 students across Europe, offering them hands-on experience at renowned research infrastructures like CERN and the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. By exposing students to new technologies, disciplines, and ideas, the ATTRACT Academy is paving the way for a new generation of tech leaders with diverse skill sets.
One of the key challenges in implementing such multi-disciplinary training programs lies in the traditional structure of universities, which often compartmentalize students into specific career tracks. However, initiatives like the ATTRACT Academy draw inspiration from successful experiments like the „Contamination Lab“ at Politecnico di Torino and the TI:GER program at Georgia Institute of Technology. These programs have demonstrated the effectiveness of cross-disciplinary training in enhancing entrepreneurial thinking and innovation capabilities.
Scaling up these initiatives poses a significant challenge within academia, where siloed approaches still prevail. Da Vià emphasizes the need for tech entrepreneurs to possess a wide range of skills, including artificial intelligence, cyber-security, finance, marketing, and sustainability. Moreover, she underscores the importance of agility and adaptability in navigating rapidly evolving global markets, particularly in regions like America and Asia.
The ATTRACT Academy’s approach involves forming small, multidisciplinary teams of students who collaborate with professional researchers to develop innovative applications and business plans for cutting-edge technologies. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, the Academy aims to cultivate a new culture of tech entrepreneurship in Europe. Funded as part of the larger ATTRACT project led by CERN, the Academy seeks to make a tangible impact on the European tech ecosystem by nurturing a new breed of tech leaders with diverse skill sets.
In conclusion, initiatives like the ATTRACT Academy are instrumental in shaping the future of tech entrepreneurship by providing students with the necessary tools and experiences to thrive in a competitive global market. By fostering collaboration across disciplines and promoting a culture of innovation, these programs are paving the way for a more dynamic and inclusive tech ecosystem in Europe.