During his visit to HZDR, Helmholtz President Martin Keller emphasized the importance of strengthening innovation and entrepreneurial thinking in research.
In discussions with researchers and innovation teams, Keller showed particular interest in how scientific results are translated into real-world applications. He highlighted the need for a cultural shift:
“We need to stop seeing failure as something negative – it is an opportunity to learn.”
Keller also stressed the importance of mentorship and supporting individuals who are willing to take risks and pursue new ideas. Formats such as the HZDR Innovators School directly address these challenges by fostering entrepreneurial skills, networking, and application-oriented thinking. Keller’s visit underlined that such initiatives are essential to drive innovation and create impact beyond research.
