Francesco Colacino: Why the speed & scale of regional innovation is determined by the mix of ideas, capital & people

In this episode of The Research Adventure Podcast, Francesco reflects on the moment when instinct won out over logic and he left his role in tech transfer to join the founding team of a university spin-out he believed in.

He shares what it’s really like to step inside a startup, how his views on risk and de-risking evolved, and why he has no regrets even though the venture didn’t work out as planned. Francesco discusses the importance of nurturing the ecosystem in a way that's sensitive to the area and region and why this activity should be seen as a long-term investment.

Now Head of Commercialisation and Operations at the University of Warwick, Francesco brings a grounded, reflective perspective shaped by experience on both sides of the commercialisation journey.