ENTERPRENEURSHIP IN ACADEMIA - FROM IDEA TO PROTOTYPE ► In this inspiring episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, hosts Darja Aksjonova and Jovan Aranđelović sit down with Dr. Artemis Kontou — a polymath whose career spans mechanical engineering, entrepreneurship, academia, and music. From her PhD in tribology at Imperial College London to co-founding a privacy-focused startup with over 1 million downloads, Artemis shares how she bridges the worlds of research and innovation. She opens up about her teaching philosophy, startup challenges, and the art of balancing multiple roles — all while composing music and mentoring the next generation of founders.
Whether you're an early-stage researcher, aspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about the intersection of science and creativity, this episode offers actionable insights and a dose of motivation.
🧭 Key Topics Covered
- Academic Foundations & Industrial Collaborations
→ How tribology research led to patents and global conferences
→ Working with Shell and Akzo Nobel on applied engineering problems - Teaching with Impact
→ Engaging students through real-world case studies and industry prizes
→ Making project management and energy law accessible and exciting - Startup Life & Malloc’s Rise
→ Co-founding a privacy app and navigating early-stage funding
→ Lessons from viral marketing strategies - Mentorship & Mindset Shifts
→ Helping researchers adopt entrepreneurial thinking
→ Advice for building MVPs and pivoting with resilience - Balancing Roles & Personal Passions
→ Managing research, startups, and music composition
→ Upcoming ventures in shipping tech and hospitality
⏱️ Question Timestamps
00:03:00 – What inspired Artemis to pursue mechanical engineering
00:05:00 – How she approaches teaching project management and energy law
00:09:00 – Motivation behind creating Malloc and early startup challenges
00:13:00 – Navigating viral marketing and influencer collaborations
00:16:00 – Strategies for standing out in the cybersecurity market
00:17:00 – Balancing academia, entrepreneurship, and personal life
00:18:30 – Reflections on the EURAXESS Startup Tour in Israel
00:20:30 – Mentoring startups and sharing entrepreneurial insights
00:22:00 – Advice on building MVPs and staying resilient
00:24:00 – Upcoming projects in tech, tourism, and music