Unlike traditional tech, science commercialization sees no borders: a vaccine or novel energy source developed in one country can most likely be commercialized in any other country that needs such a solution and where there is the industrial infrastructure to accelerate its development (talent, capital, regulatory framework). The market for science solving important problems is truly global. The same is unlikely to apply for example to digital health technology as the patient needs and intricacies of the health care system of any one country are likely to be different albeit similar from that of a neighboring country (see the EU which sees the development of national digital champions, all attempting to solve specific problems related to the region unable to launch at a union-wide level).
That is why when we build companies with our Fellows at Wilbe, our competitors' analysis includes players across all regions and even across all stages of development regardless of whether it’s a research group still in academia or a growth venture that has raised considerable funding: it's a race to who can make it happen first as opposed to where.
Similarly, I find that most scientists in academia recognize that a foundational piece of their academic (and personal) development prospect is tied to the degree of exposure to diverse research ecosystems. Most can develop an understanding of what are the best research labs for their area of interest, study the papers of its leaders, and, regardless of the location, strive to find a way to be able to spend time, associate, and progress their career there. Ultimately the objective is that of gaining leadership and hence the freedom to create.
The same fluidity applies (though much less common) to scientists seeking industrial experience while in academia. I recently spoke with Nimish Gera (excerpt from the chat here, look out for full version soon) who, having started as a researcher at IIT Guwahati in India, during his PhD at North Carolina State University was able (he stresses with the support of the lab leader) to architect an internship period at Genentech. That industry experience has kicked off a series of further career choices and moves for him that have eventually led him to become a co-founder at a now leading ADC biotech venture in Boston.
Neither science ventures, nor the scientists behind them are driven by national priorities, instead as you'd expect they go wherever opportunities to succeed are the most elevated. In fact, whenever I hear about “national priorities” being built around science, these are the ones typically erected by government agencies, university commercialization departments (TTOs), and institutional stakeholders primarily with either the objective of pre-emptying the talent pool residing in the country from leaving and leading the potential economic upside away with them or with the objective of prompting the in-house development of solutions deemed necessary for the security of the country: think defense, but also energy sovereignty, computing capacity to power up industrial strategies. All very understandable, but my take is that this is not and should not be priorities for scientists.
As a non-scientist, I observe daily some simple yet deep patterns that make me feel that scientists carry a quasi-national identity:
Curiosity: the unconditional drive to understand the Why behind what surrounds us
Discipline: the ability to follow processes that lead to the closest outcome to the Truth
Intent: seeking solutions to problems that are real and that can benefit society
Freedom: unburdened to create and deliver value
We started Wilbe to place the individual (scientists) and not the thing (patents) at the center of the conversation as we see scientists as the agents of change needed for the century ahead. The sooner institutional stakeholders, be it governments, university TTOs, or legacy investors, can contribute to creating an environment that cherishes this precious nation of individuals the sooner they will also be able to achieve their own strategic objectives. This requires a cultural shift and it would actually require them to do “less”, which is really hard.
Scientists First! (why?)
Ale
Wilbe resources for entrepreneurial scientists exploring the global market for science:
venture + career resources and community: Sandbox
prep for your first round: Bootcamp
pitch for funding: Wilbe.Capital
help with finding a lab: Wilbe Labs
This is an article in Ale's newsletter 'Scientists First Daily (maybe)'. Click to subscribe to the LinkedIn newsletter here.
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