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.

Sum > Parts

I believe the sum is greater than the parts, so the more I leverage and acknowledge the complementary skills of others, the more successful my work will be.

Why it matters: Individuals with this mindset actively build teams with the critical expertise needed for their ventures and engage in open, challenging discussions to drive better outcomes. They can delegate important pieces of work to team members, especially in high pressure situations. They are comfortable asking for introductions to address any knowledge gaps that may arise.