Members of the academic field of science will play a vital role in building the 21st century enterprises that will create solutions and jobs critical to solving complex societal problems. However, we can only ever be successful with our scientific endeavours if we can get them out of the lab and into the business landscape. Dharmica Mistry, co-founder and former chief scientist for BCAL Diagnostics and head of medtech and biotech for Cicada Innovations, and Alistair Gordon, CEO of HFL Leadership, discuss business as a counterpoint to science, the importance of business acumen to effectively communicate its applications, and the barriers encountered by women undertaking management and leadership activity in technical fields.