Abstract
Lightbulb Grants was an experiment with easy-to-access, relatively low-value ‘idea grants’ with no specific requirements around the type of idea. The objective was to remove any focus on ‘tech’ to encourage marginalised and non-traditional entrepreneurs to engage with innovation and help them look for entrepreneurial ‘lightbulb moments.’ Our experience with this experiment suggests that many of the business ideas fostered and encouraged by this process will naturally gravitate towards a tech-focus. Accordingly, our hypothesis is that the language around ‘deep tech innovation’, ‘pitching’ and ‘scale-ups’ is a barrier to many entrepreneurial individuals who do not necessarily see themselves reflected in these terms. To counter this we suggest that encouraging innovation in deep tech starts with encouraging innovation, full stop.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Deep Tech |
| Subtitle of host publication | A good practice guide |
| Editors | Colette Henry, Sabrina Tomasi, Slavica Singer, Alessio Cavicchi, Margot Bucaille, Erik Mass Lovgren, Simone Stilling |
| Place of Publication | Munich |
| Publisher | Start For Future |
| Pages | 116-127 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9783000795534 |
| Publication status | Published - 31 Aug 2024 |
Keywords
- entrepreneurial intention
- inclusivity in entrepreneurship
- innovation grants
- student entrepreneurship