ScientistIn.

Story by: Vitallia, Macrina, Arche.

ScientistIn founder Zhi Qiang

Credit: Zhi Qiang

The Bible says, “You cannot serve two masters.”

This is practically true for scientists who fully commit to their field. For most scholars, publishing papers and books is compulsory and all-consuming. For science scholars, however, the publishing process begins with a scientific breakthrough that is later translated into print.

The goal for many researchers is to go from scientific discovery to product patent to business venture. The problem for many scientists is that they lack business acumen. SceintistIn was created to solve this problem. The Beijing start-up’s main aim is to be the bridge between scientists and the industries that can utilise their new inventions.

“We have found difficulties that the government, scientist and enterprises face together,” says Li Yanxi, one of the company’s co-founders. “The government wants structural transformation of economics. Enterprises have a lack of [business] talents in China, but they need to operate technologies.”

Li laments that many Chinese scientists “lack commercial ambition.” ScientistIn provides a boost by bridging scientists, government regulators and enterprises in a commercial way.

ScientistIn uses data and artificial intelligence technology to link scientists and their inventions to relevant industries where their contributions can have an impact. ScientistIn clients help enterprises to solve technological problems and improve their industry, Li said.

ScientistIn boasts the largest science database in China with 12 million experts’ profiles on its website. The company also contracts with 800,000 Chinese enterprises looking for experts. It has worked with at least 400 scientists for the past three years with about 10 postponing their projects. This commercial match-making venture cost about 10 million per year. Last year the company made 8 million yuan , according to company figures and ScientistIn expects that amount to increase to more than10 million this year.

ScientistIn has a huge database in China, including famous figures such as Yang Zhennin, a Nobel prize winner in physics who graduated from Tsinghua University. In the last two years more than 10,000 enterprises and scientists completed matching process and work together. Li says the company “is open to work with all fields of science” but has chosen to focus its matched projects focus on AI, environmental protection, technology, computer science and manufacturing.

Li’s working place

Credit: Vitaliia Ivannikova

How it works

The headquarters of ScientistIn is located on the third floor of the HuaYe building outside the east gate of Tsinghua University. A large sign indicates “ScientistIn.” In an office of 30 square meters, there are about 15 work desks. The desks stay empty most of the time because the company’s nature is mainly online. This allows people to work comfortably wherever they want.

“We din’t have to stay in the office,” said Huang Shengchun, a current student at Tsinghua University an ex-intern at the company, who spent three months there. “That’s the benefit. Once there was a task arranged in our WeChat group, we arranged a time for the interview directly with a scientist.”

Huang Shengchun

Credit: Vitaliia Ivannikova

Because ScientistIn works with talented scholars whether with patented works or not, the process of acquiring clients entails searching their profiles and projects through their universities. After identifying potential clients, the organization reaches out to them, hoping the scientists will consider the proposal. For those who are interested, interviews are scheduled. If both sides agree, the partnership begins.

Not all scientists that are approached continue through with the process. Some are suspicious of the start-up from the beginning, while others exit as the process continues. But enough scientists have signed up that the company’s business model has proven profitable.

Shengchun says potential clients are not always aware of the commercial potential of their scientific discoveries. “Sometimes scientists are not really sure how their patents could be used in, although they have published papers or won some research projects,” she said.

Co-founder Li Yanxi at work

Credit: Vitaliia Ivannikova

“Not every scientist is a potential client of ScientistIn”, says Li. The company has mostly worked with experienced experts in the past. This are researchers who have already implemented their ideas into samples and earned money through them. The number of samples they have successfully done has been a determining factor. However Zhi Qiang, the founder of the Ogranisation sees the future in the young scientists who have not had such opportunities as the former but have talent.

As part of its service and initial stage of work with scientists, “ScientistIn helps scientists by identifying possible application of their knowledge and contributes it to the database using key words,” said Li. “By creation of key words and the database, the matching process in the company takes place. When matched, the company meets a scientist physically to discuss a problem, solution and output.”

ScientistIn plays a pivotal role because it is the negotiating agency for the scientist. Even though each case is different, the agency ensures the scientist gets paid based on the value, impact and longevity of their product to the buying company. It’s returns are bonus based. ScientistIn gets a fee as inventor investment, which means a continuing percentage payment based on the company’s profits.

ScientistIn invests 70 percent on the research process which is mostly a year long process.

”We put the money as investment and charge 30 percent to the company,” said Zhi. Once the project is fruitful and implemented by the company, scientistIn gets a percentage of its profits for a period of three to five years. After the agreed time lapses, ScientistIn gives up its rights on the technology to the company utilising it. Of the percentage it receives within the contract timeframe, ScientistIn gives 50 percent to the scientist.

ScientistIn was started by Zhi Qiang an electrical engineer and former professor in Beijing. He brought in the seven of his friends as co-founders who play different roles in the company. ScientistIn now has 35 permanent staff members in four provinces in China. With Beijing as its headquarters, it has 3 branches in Guangdong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces. This branches have an active role of matching research on the ground.

Huo Dongyun, Co-founder Scientistin

Credit: Vitaliia Ivannikova

“The greatest achievement in my view has been the link we created between a scientist who came up with the renewable energy concept,” she said. The technology whose product is derived from sea shells acts as a catalyst to drying of concrete and cement. This facilitates quick production of building bricks and faster construction.

“We are trying to use our database to do some services,” says Zhi , as he explains their expansion plan. The company is in the process of partnering with Baidu with an intention of linking up with internet banks. Zhi’s intention is to facilitate scientists to gain loans based on their value as gauged by ScientistIn.

The company further hopes to work with science research institutions. “Younger scientists can do more,” says Zhi. He further mentions that the company intends to empower younger scientists and hopefully expand their connection to companies from local to European and US Companies.

More than a century ago, the poet Henry Wordsworth Longfellow wrote: “The mind of the scholar, if he would leave it at large and liberal, should come in contact with other minds.” By coming into contact with ScientistIn, the company hopes the result is profitable for everyone.