Building Ventures from the Ground Up: Venture Creation Lab
At the end of April, a group of innovators and researchers gathered at the University of St Andrews Entrepreneurship Centre for the Venture Creation Lab – a two-day deep dive into what it really takes to turn research and ideas into impactful ventures.
Designed for those looking to bridge the gap between academic insight and entrepreneurial action, the Venture Creation Lab was a fast-paced, hand-on experience focused on clarity, momentum and real-world application.
Day One: Finding the Right Problem
Participants were encouraged to shift their mindset. Rather than starting with their solution or technology, they were guided to start with the problem.
Attendees first focused on problem hunting, learning how to identify real, pressing needs in the world – the kind of challenges worth solving. Using tools like the ‘Jobs to be Done’ framework and guided exercises that pushed them to challenge their own assumptions, participants uncovered niche applications from their ideas.
After a short break, the group tackled customer discovery. From building user personas to planning interview strategies using techniques like ‘The Mom Test’, the focus was on learning how to gather meaningful, honest insights from potential users early and often.
The afternoon brought a burst of creativity with a session on pretotyping – a low-cost, fast method to test concepts before investing heavily in development. Using whatever materials were on hand (paper, markers, PowerPoint slides, even craft supplies), participants brought their ideas to life in tangible, testable ways.
By the end of the day, they had a clearer sense of their direction.
Day Two: From Idea to Action
The second day opened with a check-in on overnight thoughts and new insights, before diving into what it takes to move from idea to spinout.
A practical session on spinout journeys tackled the common challenges and research-based companies face. Participants explored the tension between academic timelines and market urgency, looked at Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), and unpacked why many early-stage ventures stall – and how to avoid it.
After lunch, the focus turned to planning the next steps. What would need to happen to get a product into a customer’s hands within a year? Attendees built out high-level timing plans and outlined their priorities for the summer. The session also introduced ways participants could stay connected and supported beyond the Venture Creation Lab – including access to ongoing coaching through St Andrews Innovation.
Participant Feedback
One of the most appreciated aspects of the Venture Creation Lab was it’sits straightforward, no-nonsense approach. Rather than dressing up ideas in jargon and abstract models, the workshop offered a clear path forward – with practical tools and honest conversations.
Clement Godbarge, from the School of Modern Languages noted,
“A good synthesis of the information one needs to know before even starting a journey of that nature, a no-nonsense approach to business without buzzwords or vague concepts—just clear, actionable insights that cut through the fog of theoretical frameworks, delivering practical wisdom for real-world implementation.”
More than one attendee agreed with Celement.
The Venture Creation Lab was a reminder that successful ventures aren’t built on theory alone – they’re built through insight, iteration, and action.