Entrepreneurship

From Idea to Venture – Entrepreneurship Workshop

Sponsored by IEEE IES Member Activities and Industry Activities and TC05-EEIT

14 October 2025

9:30-12:30, room Escudo

Seats Limited – Register via the Conference Registration Form

Overview

Are you an established scientist or a leader in academia or industry looking to expand your impact? From Idea to Venture is an immersive workshop designed specifically for technical experts like you who want to acquire entrepreneurial skills and a startup mindset.

This workshop provides a unique opportunity to learn how to transform your deep technical expertise into viable ventures. Whether you’re exploring alternative career paths or seeking fresh approaches to innovation and leadership, this program equips you with practical tools and frameworks used by successful Silicon Valley startups.

By the end of this session, you will master what it means to be an entrepreneur or intrapreneur, how to choose between different business ideas, and how to validate and present those ideas effectively.

You will also have an opportunity to network with other IES leaders during an evening dedicated networking event.

Why Attend?

  • Acquire key entrepreneurial skills including idea validation, customer discovery, and business model development
  • Develop investor-ready pitch decks and gain confidence presenting your ideas to stakeholders
  • Cultivate a startup mindset—embracing creativity, agility, and strategic risk-taking—that enhances leadership in any environment
  • Network with scientist-entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts

Who Should Attend?

  • Senior scientists and engineers ready to launch startup
  • Academic and industry leaders interested in integrating entrepreneurial thinking into their work
  • Innovators seeking to broaden their professional skillset with venture creation tools

Program

– 9:30-12:30, Workshop, room Escudo (Melia Hotel)
– 17:30-18:30, Entrepreneurship Networking Hour, La Qchara de Pachi bar&grill (across the street from Melia)

Entrepreneurship Networking Hour: An informal networking session of the IES Entrepreneurship Workshop community with light finger food and drinks before the evening Welcome Reception. Please note: this event takes place at La Qchara de Pachi (bar & grill), located just across the street from the Melia entrance (Calle del Poeta Joan Maragall 50, Madrid).

Meet Your Instructors

Experienced scientist-entrepreneurs will share their firsthand experiences, along with insights from guest speakers.

  • Bruno Iafelice – CEO of TVLP Institute, seasoned Silicon Valley advisor and investor
  • Mike Kyriacou – Silicon Valley startup mentor, Founder & Executive Chairman Kopernicus AI, former Industry Fellow (UC Berkeley).
  • Rafael González del Castillo Sancho (guest speaker) – Award-winning Spanish architect, founder & CEO of Editeca, an online school for BIM, Revit, and digital construction.

How to Join

Participation is free for registered conference attendees. Seats are limited! Secure your spot by selecting the From Idea to Venture workshop option during IECON 2025 conference registration.

If you have already registered for IECON, send an email to registration@iecon2025.org to request adding this workshop to your registration.

You are also invited to the Entrepreneurship Networking Hour. This invitation is limited to the workshop registered attendees.

Expand your career horizons by combining your technical mastery with entrepreneurial expertise. Join us in Madrid to start your journey from innovation to venture creation.