Eight Weeks of Startup Spirit: CEPLAS Graduate School members in Women in Entrepreneurship Program
CEPLAS Gradschool members Büşra Elkatmış and Laura Merx participated in the eight-week hybrid Innovation Program „Women in Entrepreneurship“ which ran from May 6 to June 24, 2025.
The program is organized by the German Center for Research and Innovation (DWIH) San Francisco in cooperation with GUILD Academy. It is open to female students and researchers from all German universities and is designed to strengthen their business, leadership, and presentation skills.
We wanted to learn more about Büşra and Laura's experience in the program, so we asked them a few questions. Here are their answers and insights:
Question 1: What motivated you to join the program?
I wanted to learn more about entrepreneurship. I had some startup ideas, but I didn’t know where to begin or what steps to take. I saw this program as a great opportunity to explore that path and understand what it really involves.
I am interested in research transfer and patent law, so I was thinking: great opportunity to see how the other site, the startups work by creating my own.
Question 2: Was there a moment—an exercise, speaker, or interaction—that had a lasting impact on you?
I really enjoyed the breakout room sessions because I got to hear different stories and perspectives from other participants. It was incredibly enriching to see how others think and approach challenges. It gave me new insights and inspiration.
Creating the website for my product made me realize how far developed my idea already was.
Question 3: Did your view of entrepreneurship or your role as a woman in research change throughout the program? If so, how?
Yes. I now understand that entrepreneurship is more of a long-term journey, a marathon rather than a sprint. The program helped me realize how essential fundamental research is in developing ideas that can eventually lead to applied science or a startup.
The mindshift between being a German female researcher to a female entrepreneur was hard. As a researcher, I focus on details. As an entrepreneur, I have to see the broader picture. Both worlds can indeed coexist! I now see my PhD project from a different point of view.
Question 4: How did seeing successful women scientists leading startups affect your perception of your own possibilities?
Seeing successful women scientists at the forefront of startups was truly encouraging and inspiring. I think the program gave me some of the tools and confidence to start exploring that path.
It was inspiring to see other women scientists as a role model to see that they also made it and to learn from them.
Question 5: Has this experience influenced your future plans—inside or outside academia?
Yes, the program gave me a clearer understanding of the entrepreneurial process. It also helped me recognize how important fundamental science is in developing real-world solutions or products.
Because of the course I can now imagine to start my own startup or support other startups. Seeing my idea develop into a product was inspiring and amazing!
Question 6: Did the program help you refine or validate a specific idea? If so, how did that idea evolve?
Yes. I was struggling with how to develop my idea and what steps to take next. The program helped me better understand the process and visualize a clear path forward. I now feel more prepared to move ahead with developing my idea, using the tools and insights I gained.
My product idea was already quite clear at the beginning. The course added more depth and more knowledge from my site, a supportive network and especially the braveness to launch.
Question 7: Would you recommend participating in such formats to other CEPLAS Women ECRs?
Absolutely. If they’re interested in entrepreneurship, this program is incredibly helpful. Even if they’re unsure, it’s a great opportunity to explore different perspectives and gain a better understanding of the entrepreneurial world.
I would certainly recommend all female researchers to try something else and to get to know a version of yourself that you did not know exists. Try something new and trust your gut feeling!
