Abstract: Academia, as domain intensive in knowledge and brainpower, is the perfect framework for incubating ideas in collaboration with peers with similar interests. Most part of those ideas will have an inherent value, which needs to be properly recognised and valorised in order to create impact. In this talk, I will discuss about several real experiences related to the transfer of technology to industry not only from a traditional viewpoint, but also through laboratory of ideas. In addition, we will review my personal experience co-founding ProtoPixel, the renowned studio of Barcelona that is changing the way that we experience the light through the use of a simple and intelligent lighting technology.