Now into its eighth year, the Eli and Britt Harari Enterprise Award competition, in association with Professor Sir Andre Geim, is now open to all students, postdoctoral researchers, and recent graduates of The University of Manchester. This annual competition, managed by the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC), encourages new ideas for graphene-based enterprises.
Graphene, a two-dimensional carbon material, is a game-changing UK discovery and its properties make it one of the most important breakthroughs in recent memory. Graphene is a wonder material, with incredible electrical, mechanical and thermal properties.
Prizes of £50,000 and £20,000 will be awarded to the individuals or teams who can best demonstrate how their technology relating to graphene or other 2D materials could be applied to a viable commercial opportunity.
Applications will be judged on the strength of their business plan to develop a new graphene-related business. The award then becomes seed funding to allow the candidate to take the first steps towards realising this plan. It recognises the role that high-level, flexible early-stage financial support can play in the successful development of a business targeting the full commercialisation of a product or technology related to research in graphene.
The Graphene Hackathon - a student-led initiative - is a free virtual event that offers you an initial opportunity to discover what the graphene hype is all about, develop an idea and then pitch your idea for cash prizes. The event aims to unlock your inner-entrepreneur by providing a dynamic space for rapid learning, failure and innovation, allowing you a chance to rethink the traditional product development process.
The Graphene Hackathon takes places in the week of 26 - 30 April 2021. Places are limited, so register before Friday, 9 April 2021.
Express your interest early in the Eli and Britt Harari Enterprise Award competition and connect with the MEC team to discuss potential ideas, and most importantly secure development support, advice and guidance ahead of the application deadline.
Express your interest today and tell us about yourself and your idea. Upon completion of this survey, individuals will be added to our competition mailing list ensuring all interested applicants are made aware of any key information, guidance, resources and workshops that are relevant to the development of their entries.
The final deadline for completed competition entries is midday on Friday, 4 June 2021.
