During the COVID-19 pandemic, many educators have been required to offer their courses online. A particular challenge is the implementation of practical laboratory experiments in the field of materials science. The central questions are the following: How can students carry out laboratory experiments at home? How are applications on mobile devices helpful in this context? How can experiments be organized to make students approach the topic with self-motivation and excitement? The concept presented in this paper combines the idea of practical work and the use of an augmented reality app. Guided by a well-structured online learning platform, video tutorials, and lab handouts, students were able to carry out their experiments from home. The results of the evaluation of this new laboratory experiment concept suggest that students very positively welcomed this form of education.

Innovative new ventures (INVs) cope with the lack of legitimacy and liability of newness that may hinder their likelihood of survival. Those risks increase with the novelty introduced by the INV. Radically INVs are the ones that have the highest degree of novelty, and, consequently, face the highest risks. Understanding the elements and mechanisms that sustain radically INVs is of paramount importance due to the great benefits they bring to society. This article explores how the regional legacy, defined as the combined effect of regional business and industrial practices and culture, supports those ventures in facing those risks. The regional culture and tradition create a sense of familiarity in stakeholders that facilitates the understanding of the radically INV, lowering the lack of legitimacy. Meanwhile, the shared culture within a region favours the creation of a collaborative climate that allows the radically INVs to access relevant resources and, finally, reduce the liability of newness.