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Places available on the Researcher to Innovator development programme

Opportunity for 30 researchers to develop their innovative thinking and enhance their understanding of the commercialisation process.

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre is delighted to confirm that places are now available for the next Researcher to Innovator (R2I) Bootcamp; a new commercialisation programme that was successfully introduced to Early Career Researchers (ECRs) here at The University of Manchester last year.

Running for a fifth cohort, this programme has been re-designed to fit purpose for online delivery, without compromising on quality. Delivered by experts in research and innovation, this is exciting news for researchers wanting to develop their entrepreneurial mind-set. With just 30 places available, a high volume of interest is expected amongst those wanting to create an impact with their research through commercialisation.

Dr Mark Elvin from the School of Natural Sciences was part of the previous R2I cohort which launched earlier this year. With on-going support from the Enterprise team, he received an award of £4,000 to further understand his target market and validate his assumptions. Following the R2I programme, he was granted a place on the Alderley Park pre-accelerator to further develop his entrepreneurial mind-set. With continuing support, he is now in the process of applying for a highly coveted place on the Innovate UK funded ICURe programme, to help drive his idea forward.

Mark commented: “I attended the R2I boot-camp with an interest in exploring my idea to introduce a ‘protein expression booster’ supplement when making proteins, to aid in the delivery of producing more cost-effective protein-based medicines without compromising on quality. The R2I programme presented a valuable opportunity to develop my skills in assessing the commercial viability of my idea, and to further understand the support that is offered through our University for commercialising research.” He added: “The boot-camp provided us with useful tools for communicating our discoveries, thinking more commercially and networking with like-minded people.

“Since presenting what I had learnt from the programme, the team have encouraged me to apply for the national ICURe programme and I’m really excited about what’s yet to come.”

The R2I programme offers an introduction to commercialisation and aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial mindset of the ECR, develop their innovative thinking, as well as enhance their understanding of the commercialisation process.

If you would like to benefit from this bespoke programme of support, please register using Eventbrite by Sunday 18 October. 

For more information, please email entrepreneurship@manchester.ac.uk