On Thursday, 27 August 2026, the fourth session of the PhD2CEO Seminar Series took place, focusing on one of the most important steps in innovation: Prototyping. Hosted at the Start-A-Factory of Fraunhofer IZM, the session offered participants valuable insights into how research ideas are transformed into tangible technological solutions.
The afternoon began with an introduction to Fraunhofer IZM and the Start-A-Factory initiative, highlighting the institute’s role in supporting technology transfer and early-stage product development. Participants also attended a presentation by Vanessa Zamora on the APECS project, showcasing the potential of heterogeneous integration and chiplet technologies for next-generation microelectronics.
A guided tour through the laboratories, led by Maurice Haffner, provided an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at state-of-the-art prototyping facilities. The session concluded with an interactive networking round, giving young researchers the opportunity to exchange ideas with experts from academia and industry.
We sincerely thank Alexandra Rydz, Vanessa Zamora, and Maurice Haffner for their warm hospitality, inspiring presentations, and for opening the doors to their laboratories and expertise.
The PhD2CEO Seminar Series empowers PhD students and early-career researchers with entrepreneurial skills, fostering the transition from scientific excellence to real-world innovation.