A new £3.2 million project called ICURe will see early stage researchers at the five universities working with university enterprise partnership and high tech startup incubator SETsquared (Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey) receiving tailored training, mentoring and funds to speed up the commercialisation of their ideas, technologies and products.
SETsquared, based in both Bristol’s Engine Shed and Bath’s Innovation Centre, will be partnering with the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and the Government’s innovation agency Innovate UK, to help accelerate research being successfully ‘spun out’ into new high-potential companies.
Up to £50K grant
ICURe will fund proposals to prove market demand for research with grants of up to £50,000 per project. ICURe funding will support three to six months of intense market assessment. Early career researchers take on the role of entrepreneurial team leaders, engaging with prospective customers, partners and competitors, and taking steps to validate the commercial potential of their research.
“Collaboration is the key to turning the best research into new businesses”
Universities, Science and Cities Minister Greg Clark MP who announced the iCure programme said: “Collaboration is the key to turning the best research into new businesses. We are proud that SETsquared is already Europe’s best incubator, and second in the world, which is why we are supporting this pilot scheme.
“It will provide skills, support and mentoring to help the UK’s best researchers turn their ideas into commercial success. This strengthens the UK’s position as the best place for science and technology research, and drives forward our economic growth.”
Find out more about the iCURE programme at SETsquared.
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