At Activate, we know that breakthrough science alone isn’t enough to create lasting impact; it also takes a shift in mindset. For scientists and engineers considering startups as a path to scale their ideas, developing a science entrepreneur mindset is just as critical as the skills and knowledge you need.
The mindsets we cultivate at Activate and focus on in our Fellowship program help researchers step confidently into the role of founder, translating deep tech innovation into real-world solutions. We hope they’ll help you imagine what this journey could look like for you.

Fail Fast

I trust that growing through failure and discomfort is part of a successful entrepreneurial journey.

Why it matters: Individuals with this mindset recognize that learning from failure is vital for growth, and they don’t shy away from tough decisions or challenging tasks when action is needed for the company’s best interest. They are confident in their ability to recover from failure, determine a way forward, and share the learnings from failures with others.