Campus 10178

Deep Tech for Dummies

Ali Alam on research commercialization, team-building, and European tech sovereignty Ali Alam, manager of the DEEP Pioneers program at the DEEP Institute, joins Campus 10178 to demystify deep tech and explain why research-rooted innovation is essential to solving today's most pressing challenges. In this episode, he outlines the barriers Europe faces in commercializing scientific discoveries and explains how high-performing founder-researcher teams can help overcome them. Drawing on his global experience as a founder and operator, Ali provides a clear, accessible introduction to the deep tech ecosystem and makes the case for why now is the critical time to act. "Europe already generates world-class science. We are very good at it. With integrated teams and fit-for-purpose capital, we can really convert that science into world-class companies." – Ali Alam, DEEP Pioneers Key discussion points * What defines deep tech and how it differs from consumer-facing technology * The seven verticals of deep tech and their societal relevance * Why Europe produces strong research but lags in commercialization—including the stark reality that only 3% of researchers who want to commercialize ever become research founders * The importance of founder-researcher matching for venture success * Structural barriers in tech transfer and how DEEP Pioneers addresses them * Building the EU's sovereign innovation capacity through policy developments like European incorporation and unified patent systems, funding, and partnerships Resource links * Deep Tech for Dummies (& Smart VCs Who Want an Edge) [https://medium.com/included-vc/deep-tech-for-dummies-smart-vcs-who-want-an-edge-1e7ff09b2cb4] by Ali Alam on Medium * DEEP Institute at ESMT Berlin [https://esmt.berlin/faculty-research/institutes/deep-institute-deep-tech-innovation] * Ali Alam on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/malialam/] * Joachim Herz Foundation [https://www.joachim-herz-stiftung.de/en/] About our guest Ali Alam is the manager of the venture-building program at DEEP Pioneers, part of the DEEP Institute at ESMT Berlin. Born in Pakistan and raised across Singapore, Malaysia, and the UK before settling in Germany, Ali brings a global perspective to European deep tech. His journey from SaaS founder to venture builder was shaped by growing up in academic families—his parents are researchers—giving him firsthand insight into how universities operate and how research transitions from lab to market. At DEEP Pioneers, Ali tackles one of Europe's biggest challenges: the "valley of death" where promising university research stalls before reaching commercialization. His approach focuses on team-building rather than trying to convert researchers into entrepreneurs, instead matching world-class research with experienced serial founders to create complementary founding teams. With support from the Joachim Herz Foundation, the program aims to help Europe capitalize on its strong research output and compete globally in the deep tech space. Ali describes himself as still learning about deep tech complexities, bringing both humility and passion to solving what he believes are the world's biggest problems through science-based innovation. About Campus 10178 Campus 10178 is Germany's #1 podcast on the business research behind business practice. Brought to you each month by ESMT Berlin, the 45-minute show brings together top scholars, executives, and policymakers to discuss today's hottest topics in leadership, innovation, and analytics. Campus 10178 – where education meets business.

Ethical AI

Exploring the societal impact of analytics and artificial intelligence with Catalina Stefanescu-Cuntze and Urs Mueller In this episode of Campus 10178 – the podcast of ESMT Berlin – Catalina Stefanescu-Cuntze and Urs Mueller join host Tammi L. Coles for a conversation about the ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence and analytics. Drawing on their experience as educators and researchers in the ESMT Master in Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (MAAI) program, they reflect on the human values behind the data, the implications of algorithmic decision making, and the need for cross-cultural dialogue in designing responsible technologies. The conversation explores how ethical considerations arise throughout the data value chain – from collection to analysis to implementation – and why a technical solution alone is not enough. They also discuss the evolving regulatory landscape, including the EU AI Act, and the importance of embedding ethical frameworks into both education and practice. Key discussion points * Ethical considerations in analytics and artificial intelligence * The relationship between data neutrality and human interpretation * The role of educational programs in fostering critical, values-based reflection * Differences in regulatory approaches across jurisdictions * Why future development must center people and society Guest information Catalina Stefanescu-Cuntze is professor of management science at ESMT Berlin and the faculty lead of the Master in Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (MAAI) program. She joined ESMT in 2009 as an associate professor, becoming the first holder of the Deutsche Post DHL Chair, and has served in multiple leadership roles, including director of research (2010–2012) and dean of faculty (2012–2019). Prior to ESMT, she was assistant professor of decision sciences at London Business School. Catalina holds a PhD and MS in operations research from Cornell University and a BS in mathematics from the University of Bucharest. Her research and teaching focus on analytics and AI, and she is passionate about fostering the growth of this critical domain.. Urs Mueller is associate professor of practice at SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan and a visiting lecturer at ESMT Berlin. He teaches courses on ethics, responsibility, and societal impact within data and AI systems. He has worked with organizations on business ethics and decision making and leads the "Analytics and Society" course in the MAAI program. Resources and links * Master in Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (MAAI) program [https://esmt.berlin/degree-programs/masters-programs/master-analytics-and-artificial-intelligence] * Catalina Stefanescu-Cuntze – ESMT Berlin faculty profile [https://esmt.berlin/person/catalina-stefanescu-cuntze] * Urs Mueller – Personal faculty profile [https://urs-mueller.com/profile] About Campus 10178 Campus 10178 is Germany's #1 podcast on the business research behind business practice. Brought to you each month by ESMT Berlin, the 45-minute show brings together top scholars, executives, and policymakers to discuss today's hottest topics in leadership, innovation, and analytics. Campus 10178 – where education meets business. Want to recommend a guest? Email our podcast host at campus10178@esmt.org [campus10178@esmt.org]. Want to share comments? Join the conversation on: * Facebook: ESMT Berlin's Facebook page [https://www.facebook.com/ESMTBerlin.org/] * LinkedIn: ESMT Berlin's announcements on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/esmt/posts/?feedView=all]

Crowd science: when, where, how

Involving the public in research and development is not just for the birds. How can we leverage the power of collective intelligence to solve pressing challenges in science and business? This is the central question explored in our latest podcast episode featuring Professor Henry Sauermann of ESMT. We explore the world of crowd science, examining when, where, and how to involve the public in research and development. As Prof. Sauermann explains, the applications of crowd science extend far beyond ornithology; it is a powerful methodology for any field seeking innovation and broader impact. Key discussion points * Defining crowd science: what it is and how it differs from crowdsourcing and citizen science. * The "when, where, and how" of crowd science: * When to involve the public (data collection, idea generation, diverse perspectives) * Where it can be applied (academic research, corporate R&D) * How to implement a project (attracting participants, ensuring mutual benefit) * Real‑world examples: eBird [https://ebird.org/] and FoldIt [https://fold.it/] * Challenges and solutions: hurdles and practical strategies to overcome them. * Applications for business: using crowd science for innovation, product development, and problem‑solving. Guest information Professor Henry Sauermann is the ESMT Chair in Entrepreneurship and director of the Institute for Endowment Management and Entrepreneurial Finance at ESMT Berlin. His co‑author, Marion K. Poetz, joins him in exploring how crowd science drives progress across sectors. Learn more about crowd science Visit sciencewithcrowds.org [https://sciencewithcrowds.org/] for resources, case studies, and the open‑access book How and When to Involve Crowds in Scientific Research. Contact Professor Sauermann and his co‑author via the website. About Campus 10178 Campus 10178 is Germany's #1 podcast on the business research behind business practice. Brought to you each month by ESMT Berlin, the 45-minute show brings together top scholars, executives, and policymakers to discuss today's hottest topics in leadership, innovation, and analytics. Campus 10178 – where education meets business. Want to recommend a guest? Email our podcast host at campus10178@esmt.org [campus10178@esmt.org]. Want to share comments? Join the conversation on: * Facebook: ESMT Berlin's Facebook page [https://www.facebook.com/ESMTBerlin.org/] * LinkedIn: ESMT Berlin's announcements on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/esmt/posts/?feedView=all]

Mastering Analytics & AI with Catalina Stefanescu-Cuntze

Welcome to Campus 10178, the podcast where education meets business, brought to you by ESMT Berlin. In episode #39, host Tammi L. Coles sits down with Catalina Stefanescu-Cuntze, professor of management science and the faculty lead of the ESMT Master in Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (MAAI) program. Discover how MAAI equips future leaders with the strategic and technical insights needed to drive innovation and solve real-world business challenges. Key discussion points * Explore why the ESMT MAAI program was created and the market needs it addresses * Discover how Professor Stefanescu-Cuntze's background in mathematics, computer science, and operations research informs her leadership of the program * Learn how the curriculum trains "translators" who bridge the gap between data scientists and managers * Understand how real-world challenges are tackled through applied learning in mathematics, statistics, computation, and engineering * See why the explosion of AI in business strategy shows "the time has finally come" for analytics * Uncover how "learning by doing," balanced technical-and-management focus, and expert faculty make the MAAI unique * Hear how diverse student backgrounds and peer learning enrich everyone's skill set * Explore how ethics, responsible leadership, critical thinking, and generative AI (Gen AI) foster a forward-thinking approach to AI education Guest information Catalina Stefanescu-Cuntze is professor of management science at ESMT Berlin and the faculty lead of the Master in Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (MAAI) program. She joined ESMT in 2009 as an associate professor, becoming the first holder of the Deutsche Post DHL Chair, and has served in multiple leadership roles, including director of research (2010–2012) and dean of faculty (2012–2019). Prior to ESMT, she was assistant professor of decision sciences at London Business School. Catalina holds a PhD and MS in operations research from Cornell University and a BS in mathematics from the University of Bucharest. Her research and teaching focus on analytics and AI, and she is passionate about fostering the growth of this critical domain. Professor Stefanescu-Cuntze welcomes individual conversations with prospective MAAI students. Email Professor Stefanescu-Cuntze directly [catalina.stefanescu-cuntze@esmt.org] or connect with Professor Stefanescu-Cuntze via LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/catalina-stefanescu-cuntze-07a3aa/]. Learn more about the MAAI Visit our website for detailed information about the ESMT MAAI [https://esmt.berlin/master-programs/master-analytics-artificial-intelligence]. About Campus 10178 Campus 10178 is Germany's #1 podcast on the business research behind business practice. Brought to you each month by ESMT Berlin, the 45-minute show brings together top scholars, executives, and policymakers to discuss today's hottest topics in leadership, innovation, and analytics. Campus 10178 – where education meets business. Want to recommend a guest? Email our podcast host at campus10178@esmt.org [campus10178@esmt.org]. Want to share comments? Join the conversation on: * Facebook: ESMT Berlin's Facebook page [https://www.facebook.com/ESMTBerlin.org/] * LinkedIn: ESMT Berlin's announcements on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/esmt/posts/?feedView=all]

Inside innovation and entrepreneurship with Angeliki Papachroni

Exploring the Master in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at ESMT Campus 10178 host Tammi L. Coles sits down with Angeliki Papachroni, senior lecturer and faculty lead of the Master in Innovation and Entrepreneurship program at ESMT Berlin. Papachroni shares her journey into the world of strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurship, revealing how her curiosity about organizational change shaped her career. This episode delves into the importance of purpose in strategic thinking, the complexities of leading innovation, and the value of real-world case studies in business education. Papachroni also discusses what sets ESMT's master's program apart, including its focus on applied learning, entrepreneurial ventures, and vibrant community connections that extend beyond graduation. Whether you're a prospective student, an entrepreneur, or a business leader looking to innovate, this episode offers valuable insights into strategic leadership and the future of entrepreneurship education. Key discussion points * How Papachroni connects the seemingly distinct fields of strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurship to explore organizational change and purpose. * Why understanding organizational purpose ("why we are here") is crucial for alignment and success. * How the Master in Innovation and Entrepreneurship program's emphasis on applied learning and real-world case studies enhances strategic thinking and leadership skills. * How ESMT fosters a connected and supportive network through alumni engagement, mentorship, and entrepreneurial ventures. Guest information Angeliki Papachroni Senior Lecturer and Faculty Lead of the Master in Innovation and Entrepreneurship ESMT Berlin Bio: https://esmt.berlin/person/angeliki-papachroni [https://esmt.berlin/person/angeliki-papachroni] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angeliki-papachroni-phd-6110b27/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angeliki-papachroni-phd-6110b27/] Resource links * Master in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at ESMT [https://esmt.berlin/master-programs/master-innovation-entrepreneurship] * Vali Berlin: ESMT's Entrepreneurship Hub [https://esmt.berlin/faculty-research/ifee/vali-berlin] About Campus 10178 Campus 10178 is Germany's #1 podcast on the business research behind business practice. Brought to you each month by ESMT Berlin, the 45-minute show brings together top scholars, executives, and policymakers to discuss today's hottest topics in leadership, innovation, and analytics. Campus 10178 – where education meets business.