In this inspiring episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, hosts Darja Aksjonova and Jovan Aranđelović sit down with Dr. Artemis Kontou — a polymath whose career spans mechanical engineering, entrepreneurship, academia, and music. From her PhD in tribology at Imperial College London to co-founding a privacy-focused startup with over 1 million downloads, Artemis shares how she bridges the worlds of research and innovation. She opens up about her teaching philosophy, startup challenges, and the art of balancing multiple roles — all while composing music and mentoring the next generation of founders.
Whether you're an early-stage researcher, aspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about the intersection of science and creativity, this episode offers actionable insights and a dose of motivation. Tune in by clicking this link
Key Topics Covered:
- Academic Foundations & Industrial Collaborations
→ How tribology research led to patents and global conferences
→ Working with Shell and Akzo Nobel on applied engineering problems - Teaching with Impact
→ Engaging students through real-world case studies and industry prizes
→ Making project management and energy law accessible and exciting - Startup Life & Malloc’s Rise
→ Co-founding a privacy app and navigating early-stage funding
→ Lessons from viral marketing strategies - Mentorship & Mindset Shifts
→ Helping researchers adopt entrepreneurial thinking
→ Advice for building MVPs and pivoting with resilience - Balancing Roles & Personal Passions
→ Managing research, startups, and music composition
→ Upcoming ventures in shipping tech and hospitality