Brainstorm to Business: NeuroHack

From November 18th to 20th, Łukasiewicz – PORT in Wrocław became a hub of creativity and collaboration during NeuroHack 2024, a key event organized within the framework of the SAME-NeuroID project. The event brought together researchers, innovators, and industry experts to help young investigators to practice commercialisation 'safely - without the risk of bankruptcy'.

Highlights of NeuroHack 2024

Interactive Group Work and Pitch Session

Participants collaborated on innovative projects during group workshops, culminating in dynamic pitch presentations on the final day. The winning team led by Maurits Unkel from Erasmus University Medical Center, with the project Neurava, was awarded during the closing ceremony, recognizing creativity and potential for impact.

Neurava fosters a deeper connection with oneself and others, enabling the experience of life's full potential through nourishment and holistic healing via recreation. It introduces an AI deep-learning-assisted, neuromorphic, brain-powered device—a mind companion inspired by the concept of an avatar—designed for personal growth and well-being through innovative recreation.

Inspiring Presentations
The agenda of the NeuroHack was packed with expert-led sessions, including:

• Judith Schweimer (Boehringer Ingelheim), who emphasized the value of collaboration in advancing preclinical science.

• Anna Rajewska (Foundation ORCHidea), offering a patient-focused perspective on technological innovations in neurology and neuropsychology.

• Karolina Fila-Pawłowska (Wrocław University of Science and Technology), discussing how AI is transforming healthcare.

• Steve Foster (Colorado State University), inspiring participants with his talk, “How to Train Your Dragon, or Innovators.”

• Ali Jawaid (Łukasiewicz – PORT), closing the event with “A Trend to Brainality: A Physician-Scientist’s Quest for Truth and Romance with Innovation.”

Engaging Startup Stories
Attendees gained insights from startups such as CancerCenter.AI  Piotr Krajewki and The Cognity Katsiaryna Stankevich, showcasing AI's role in cancer diagnostics and psychology.

Skill Development
Sue Tonks, an international expert on leadership and networking, delivered a workshop that equipped participants with tools to create immediate audience impact.

Networking and Social Events
Evening gatherings provided ample opportunities for participants to connect, exchange ideas, and build professional relationships.

Reflections from the Project Coordinator

“We had concerns about how such a new-for-us formula for NeuroHack would work in practice, but more than a year of work to properly select committed group leaders and build trust between them and group members, as well as a precise selection of experts, resulted in an inspiring event.” said Witold Konopka, SAME-NeuroID Project Coordinator.

Looking Ahead

As NeuroHack 2024 came to a close, participants left with new ideas, stronger professional networks, and practical insights to apply in their work. The event highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing challenges in neuroscience and neurology, setting the stage for continued progress for Łukasiewicz - PORT.

A special thank you goes to everyone who made this workshop possible – our outstanding experts, SAME-NeuroID project partners ICM, EMC and Max Planck and TTO Officers—Thom Joosten, Sebastian Meyer-Borcher, and Marie Micolon—who contributed significantly to the incubation process.

THANK YOU 😊

#neurohackPORT #SAMENeuroID #LukasiewiczPORT