Innovation Optimiser Showcase 2019
UMIP, The University of Manchester’s agent for Intellectual Property commercialisation and technology transfer, hosted its Innovation Optimiser Showcase on 22nd July 2019 with an opportunity for guests to hear pitches from staff and student entrepreneurs at the university. Tony Walker, Director of the Innovation Optimiser opened the event, highlighting the programme offers and Professor Colette Fagan, Vice-President for Research at the University of Manchester spoke about her role in research and innovation for the university. Guests, including researchers, staff, investors, business mentors and entrepreneurs, heard the following pitches:
Igniting the Idea: A Roadmap to Success
Nikhil Kurian Jacob, Stressless
Dr Dan White, ICEWhite
Research to Innovator (R2I)
Dr Marco Rodriguez Frias, TOMOS Instruments
Dr Abouzied Nasat, UMEA
Building Momentum: Scaling StartUps
Dr Andrew Marwick, Third Floor Systems Ltd
Dr Emma Stanmore, Keep On Keep Up Health CIC
About the University of Manchester Intellectual Property (UMIP) & Innovation
UMIP is a division of UMI3 Limited, The University of Manchester’s agent for Intellectual Property commercialisation and technology transfer. UMI3 is wholly owned by the University, which has more than 30 years of experience of IP commercialisation. UMIP has been successful with 40+ spin-out companies created since 2004; £360 million invested by Venture Funders; 7500+ licences and IP partnerships concluded; 4000 invention disclosures received and £115 million + IP and R&D revenues generated for the University.
Innovation Optimiser, established to complement and support UMIP’s IP commercialisation pathway, empowers campus based innovators to create start-up businesses. It is for:
- Innovators with a venture proposition which may be based on research, technology, a service delivery or a social enterprise
- Founders of recently formed innovative ventures that require help, support and guidance on their journey
- Individuals looking to inject entrepreneurial insight and behaviour, with a view to creating a future venture from their research based career
Innovation Optimiser currently offers 4 programmes:Ignition, Roadmap, Momentum and Spotlight.
The Ignition activity raises awareness of the start-up process, provides funding, and inspires innovators to engage in the Innovation Optimiser. Ignition Awards range from £500 to £2000 for individuals to try out or grow their entrepreneurial ideas. This might mean finding out if the idea is viable, learning more about what is needed and trying the project on a small scale, right through to more robust road testing of the idea.
The Roadmap programme is the signature workshop programme and lies at the core of support for innovators. For many it is the start of a journey and is specifically designed to empower innovators and equip them with the skills and understanding to commercialise their idea. It features a series of half day workshops over consecutive months covering everything from balancing academia and entrepreneurship to launching an enterprise. Upon completion of the Roadmap programme, outcomes will include; a newly developed or improved business case, a pitch slide-deck or video, and a quality pitch structure to be used to provide your audience with a quick overview of your venture.
Momentum activity gives innovators access to a bespoke 12-month support & mentoring package alongside a start-up award. After attending the Roadmap series, innovators who wish to take their plan forward, are able to apply for additional support by submitting a Business Summary and pitching to the UMIP Business Review Panel. This will allow innovators to bid for a Momentum award alongside development services from the Enterprise Team and its supporting Partners and Associates. If successful, innovators agree to a small return for The University of Manchester via a Warrant or Royalty.
The Spotlight activity provides tailored support to innovators allowing innovators to focus on the key issues relating to their idea. It runs throughout the year, with themed workshops and events with industry experts to ensure there is appropriate support to help innovators focus on the specifics.
For further details visit https://innovationoptimiser.com/
