From research idea to spin-out

When you have a promising research-based invention, the road to a startup is rarely straightforward. Eva Maria Rebrova and Kenneth Veland Halberg are all too familiar with this. Through the national programme Spin-outs Denmark, they have turned their research into the spin-out company Yngvi Bio.

This post is also available in: Danish

For Eva Maria Rebrova and Kenneth Veland Halberg, the path from research to business has meant stepping into uncharted territory. Through Spin-outs Denmark, they turned their research into the spin-out Yngvi Bio, learning fast, adapting constantly, and seizing unexpected opportunities in the process. Their first product, for instance, emerged after a meeting with grass seed producer DLF, which faced a challenge that Yngvi Bio’s technology could solve, underscoring the value of flexibility.

“It’s okay not to know everything. You need the courage to trust both the process and yourself. It’s also vital to find the right people and dare to persevere – even when someone says no, especially when it comes to patents,” says Eva Maria Rebrova, co-founder of Yngvi Bio and Assistant Professor at the University of Copenhagen.

A mental shift

The two researchers behind Yngvi Bio are from the University of Copenhagen: Eva Maria Rebrova is the lead inventor, and Kenneth Veland Halberg is an expert in insect biology. They have developed a groundbreaking method for the precise delivery of bioactive substances, with applications ranging from sustainable pest control to future medical treatments. But the transition from research to entrepreneurship has required more than just professional expertise. It has been a mental shift:

“As a researcher, you want a thousand data points before making a statement. As an entrepreneur, you make assumptions and adjust them continuously. It requires a new mindset: you need to learn quickly, integrate knowledge from new fields, and become comfortable with uncertainty,” says Kenneth Veland Halberg, co-founder of Yngvi Bio.

Spin-outs Denmark has been an invaluable support during this transition. The programme has not only provided access to funding and mentoring but also created a safe environment to experiment with business models and mature the technology. For the duo, it was essential to be able to develop their idea and explore market mechanisms while still being rooted in the university’s research environment.

“It was crucial to reduce risk during the startup phase so that we could build the necessary data packages to support the next application and spin-out. Without the programme, we would not have had the same foundation, network, or funding. The programme accelerated everything – and made it possible,” says Eva Maria Rebrova.

Partnership is a strength

The move towards entrepreneurship isn’t just about technology and business models. For Eva Maria Rebrova and Kenneth Veland Halberg, going through the process together as partners with a shared vision has been essential to their journey.

“The strength of the partnership has been crucial. In research, you often work alone, but as co-founders, we can share the burden and support one another. We complement each other in the fields we each represent; both are essential for delivering a practical solution. And on a personal level, we work well together – Eva has many ideas and sets a lot in motion, while I am very focused on execution and on bringing ideas to life,” says Kenneth Veland Halberg.

For Eva Maria Rebrova and Kenneth Veland Halberg, the next step is to bring their first product to market – an environmentally friendly solution for combating soil-dwelling grass pests. The need is significant, as large amounts of chemicals are currently used to control these pests, polluting nature and seeping into groundwater.

About Spin-outs Denmark

Spin-outs Denmark is a one-year national programme helping early-career researchers turn their work into businesses with real societal impact. It builds commercial skills, offers funding, training, and mentorship, and supports market readiness. Ten former grant holders have already turned their innovative ideas into spin-out companies. Read more about the programme at www.spinouts.dk

Link: https://techsavvy.media/en/from-research-idea-to-spin-out-its-okay-not-to-know-everything/