Between 2014 and 2018, Rebecca Saive resided in the USA – a period she would not want to miss. During this time, something additional emerged, as she was able to add an entrepreneurial portfolio to her scientific one. In 2017, together with American Harry Atwater and Dutchman Thomas Russell, she co-founded the startup ETC Solar (today MESOLINE), a company that develops new micro-3D printing processes to improve solar cells. The startup relocated to the Netherlands, was sold entirely in 2021, and now, under CEO Thomas Russell and based in Rotterdam, focuses on other thematic priorities. “I am completely out of it, but it is still a success story, and I am proud of it,” says Rebecca Saive. With a wink: it doesn't have to be her last startup! She considers it essential to explore ideas and develop technologies to bring them to market in a consumer-oriented way and integrate them into society. This approach, incidentally, is also part of the DNA of InnovationLab GmbH.

Colloquially, one might state: recognizing economic potential in the fields of natural sciences and engineering is considered a particular challenge.

In 2018, after numerous applications, Rebecca Saive joined the University of Twente in Enschede, initially as an Assistant Professor. Improving solar cells and their performance spectrum remains her passion. While novel reflectors that guide light within solar cells may be a focus even as a newly appointed professor, it is at least equally important to her to contribute through research to a cleaner, more sustainable energy source for the world and its future. Furthermore, a dynamic university environment and team are highly valued by her. Currently, Rebecca Saive leads a group of approximately ten Postdocs, PhD candidates, Master's, and Bachelor's students at UT, which is also the first campus university in the Netherlands. “I am closely involved in research, truly engaged. I love working with students and tracking their progress,” she explains. Every workday holds a positive surprise.

Are there any limitations? The primary challenge in academic life is the constant pursuit of funding. It consumes an immense amount of time and energy to secure funding for even the most compelling research projects, whether at a national or European level. Co-financing from companies, even for topics like renewable energies, proves exceptionally difficult. “It’s simply not like it was at BASF 15 years ago,” states Rebecca Saive, “even when dealing with interesting innovations, it’s usually a huge challenge.” She desires greater commitment and, ultimately, more discernment to implement funding models for research ideas with less pressure for justification.

Rebecca Saive also has a few well-intentioned recommendations for InnovationLab in retrospect. “It’s a unique employer, but you often can’t convey that effectively on a CV,” she notes as a point of criticism. Her suggestions include: increased career coaching, enhanced opportunities for scientific publication, applying for awards, and creating an internal award. She considers these opportune measures to highlight a unique environment like that in Heidelberg's Bahnstadt, both within scientific circles and concerning a broader public.