Open Lecture: Why World Class Technology Does Not Equal Startup Success

Why doesn't world-class technology always turn into a successful startup? How do research breakthroughs and technological innovations become viable business ventures?

Join Chris Bush and Rhonda Shrader from the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business for an open lecture on technology commercialisation, start-up development and the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Silicon Valley. Drawing on real examples from Berkeley and Silicon Valley, the speakers discuss what it takes to bring breakthrough technologies to market, why great technology alone is not enough, and which factors help promising ideas become thriving businesses.

The lecture is especially relevant for students, researchers, start-up founders and anyone interested in technology entrepreneurship and the commercialisation of research.

Speakers: Chris Bush, Executive Director, Institute for Business Innovation, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business; Rhonda Shrader, Executive Director of Berkeley Haas Entrepreneurship and the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (NSF I-Corps) Northwest Hub.

When: 10 November 2026, 15:00–15:45. Where: RTU Scientific Library, Paula Valdena 5, 2nd floor conference hall. Language: English. Free; prior registration is required.