EURAXESS Smart Talks
The EURAXESS Smart Talks podcast for talents is your personal guide to Research Careers, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commision. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
EURAXESS Smart Talks
Entrepreneurship in Academia - From Idea to Prototype
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