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In this inspiring episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, hosts Darja Aksjonova and Jovan Aranđelović sit down with Dr. Artemis Kontou — a polymath whose career spans mechanical engineering, entrepreneurship, academia, and music. From her PhD in tribology at Imperial College London to co-founding a privacy-focused startup with over 1 million downloads, Artemis shares how she bridges the worlds of research and innovation. She opens up about her teaching philosophy, startup challenges, and the art of balancing multiple roles — all while composing music and mentoring the next generation of founders.

Whether you're an early-stage researcher, aspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about the intersection of science and creativity, this episode offers actionable insights and a dose of motivation.

🧭 Key Topics Covered

• Academic Foundations & Industrial Collaborations
  → How tribology research led to patents and global conferences
  → Working with Shell and Akzo Nobel on applied engineering problems
• Teaching with Impact
  → Engaging students through real-world case studies and industry prizes
  → Making project management and energy law accessible and exciting
• Startup Life & Malloc’s Rise
  → Co-founding a privacy app and navigating early-stage funding
  → Lessons from viral marketing strategies
• Mentorship & Mindset Shifts
  → Helping researchers adopt entrepreneurial thinking
  → Advice for building MVPs and pivoting with resilience
• Balancing Roles & Personal Passions
  → Managing research, startups, and music composition
  → Upcoming ventures in shipping tech and hospitality

⏱️ Question Timestamps

00:03:00 – What inspired Artemis to pursue mechanical engineering  

00:05:00 – How she approaches teaching project management and energy law  

00:09:00 – Motivation behind creating Malloc and early startup challenges  

00:13:00 – Navigating viral marketing and influencer collaborations  

00:16:00 – Strategies for standing out in the cybersecurity market  

00:17:00 – Balancing academia, entrepreneurship, and personal life  

00:18:30 – Reflections on the EURAXESS Startup Tour in Israel  

00:20:30 – Mentoring startups and sharing entrepreneurial insights  

00:22:00 – Advice on building MVPs and staying resilient  

00:24:00 – Upcoming projects in tech, tourism, and music

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