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.

Skeptical Optimism

Maintaining credibility while selling a compelling vision requires balancing optimism with clear-eyed skepticism.

Why it matters: Individuals with this mindset craft optimistic projections that are firmly rooted in practical business and technical constraints. They confidently define and use a company vision statement and seek out a balanced support network, avoiding in each case both undue pessimism and unwarranted confidence. They are comfortable telling the company story to VCs and other external stakeholders and can engage in honest discussions about the viability and gaps of their technology and business.