The first days of the summer school have brought me some rich insight into the world of technological entrepreneurship. I am struck by the diversity of the scenarios that can be tackled by using photonics, from making intricate glass parts for watches with lasers, or using smart LCD tags in supermarkets and right to using 20-year of fibre optics and medical imaging research to enable the next generation of medical screening devices for point-of-care diagnostics. Photonics is not just enabling technology, it is causing whole business ecosystems to collide and is generating solutions that will transform the landscape where we live in ways only limited by our imagination.
“Venturing” is tough; indeed, etymologically speaking, a venture is the risk of loss. Resilience is a trait that transpires from the stories of the technologists that have been shared this week. Yet the positivity in enterprising is palpable, as is the excitement linked to rationally stepping out of one’s personal comfort zone. Raw passion and naive enthusiasm, balanced with a good dose of planning, rigorous accounting and systematic evaluation of methods and processes have provided case studies of vigorous business models moulded around technology.
In the past months, I have been reflecting on my own values, the things that get me out of bed in the morning. Working in collaboration beats the alarm clock, every time. Enjoyment to me is the key to the process. Passion is without a doubt the fuel of progress, and I am glad to have felt this first hand during this week through the talks and the conversations I have had the privilege of having.
More to follow this week on progress in building a technological and social enterprise as well as reflections on the research conversations from the week.
