About the Event
It’s no coincidence that some of the most successful companies have spun out of university-based research labs. The internet and world wide web for example, which we so heavily rely on in these recent times, began as a research project among computer scientists. Research is, after all, all about asking questions, exploring new frontiers and pushing the boundaries of what has been done before - key ingredients for innovation.
But while research labs may be breeding grounds for new ideas, there are many challenges involved in translating those ideas into commercial products or services. In this event, we invite experts to share their insights into the commercialisation process. We will discuss the motivations for commercialising research, the attributes of a successful spin-out company, and detail how you, the researcher, can become the entrepreneur.
The panel will be moderated by David Izuogu (WES President), and Whitney Anunwa.
About the Panellists
Innovation Lead for Commercialisation at Innovate UK
Emma is an Innovation Lead for Commercialisation in the Innovation Policy Directorate at Innovate UK. Innovate UK is one of nine councils which together form UK Research and Innovation (UKRI); a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). UKRI provides funding to researchers, businesses, universities, charities and NGOs in order to tackle societal challenges, build a strong and stable economy, and maintain the UK as a global leader in research and innovation. As well as contributing to the strategic goals and policy for commercialisation at UKRI, Emma is responsible for the Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research Programme (ICURe). The only open scope, proof of market, pre-seed accelerator programme offered by UKRI, ICURe aims to accelerate the commercialisation of academic research, strengthen links between academia and industry, and enhance the entrepreneurial skills of early career researchers. Emma began her career as a Product Development Engineer in the Defence industry and prior to joining Innovate UK worked in research management at King’s College London, and Imperial College London.
Chair, Imperial Innovation Seed Fund and Cambridge Enterprise Investment Committee Member
Iris has been involved in entrepreneurship, technology innovation and commercialisation for 20 years and has over a decade-long experience in market expansion to India. Her solid scientific background - PhD in Biochemistry, two post-docs and university lecturer - enables her to bridge science, business and international markets. Specialising in medical devices, she co-founded UltraShape (high-intensity ultrasounds for fat emulsification), acquired in 2012, and led MetaCure (a diabetic pace-maker) to open its operations in India. Iris founded I-Connections, through which she brought innovative technologies to India until it was merged with Good Relations India (GRI), an award-winning strategic advisory & PR that has brought to India companies such as M&S, Virgin Atlantic and Apple to India and hundreds of technology start-ups.
Iris has served on boards in the UK, Israel and India. She is Chairman of the London Business School HealthTech Challenge and a mentor at LBS, Cambridge Judge Business School and Oxford Foundry. She is a member of the investment committee of Cambridge Enterprise Seed Fund, and is Chairman of Imperial Innovations.
Date: Monday 16 November 2020
Time: 18:00 - 19:30 (GMT)
Location: Live across the listed platforms (see hyperlinks below)
Twitter - @wolfson_wes
Facebook - Wolfson Entrepreneurs Society Facebook page
Youtube - Wolfson Entrepreneurs Society YouTube channel
