Entrepreneurship at CERN

Entrepreneurship is one of the ways in which knowledge and technologies developed at CERN create impact beyond the Laboratory.

While know-how and technologies are transferred through co-development partnerships and licensing, entrepreneurship provides an additional pathway for bringing breakthrough technologies to society. Startups are often uniquely positioned to explore emerging markets, develop disruptive applications, and accelerate the adoption of frontier technologies.

Entrepreneurship at CERN takes multiple forms. Some startups are built around CERN-developed technologies and know-how. Others are founded by CERN alumni who apply the expertise and experience gained at the Laboratory to new ventures. Increasingly, external entrepreneurs are also creating companies that leverage CERN technologies and receive support through, for example, CERN Venture Connect.

How entrepreneurship emerges from CERN

CERN supports entrepreneurship through several complementary pathways that connect research, technology, expertise, and innovation.

Technology-based venture creation

Some startups are built around CERN technologies and intellectual assets, transforming research outcomes into products and services with commercial or societal applications.

Founder-led entrepreneurship

CERN alumni and collaborators often leverage the technical expertise, problem-solving capabilities, and international experience developed at CERN to create new ventures.

External entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurs outside CERN can also engage with CERN technologies and expertise, accessing opportunities to explore new applications and markets.

Entrepreneurship as a knowledge transfer pathway

Alongside licensing, collaboration, and industrial partnerships, entrepreneurship plays an important role in translating CERN technologies into real-world impact, resulting in socio-economic impact. By creating and scaling companies, entrepreneurs help bring advanced technologies to new sectors, users, and markets.