R2I is a bespoke entrepreneurship training programme for final-year PhD students, PDRAs and early-career researchers from across all faculties with ambitions to develop commercial ventures or to create impact from their academic studies.

The programme includes a series of interactive personal and professional development sessions, which introduce the concept of commercialisation, equipping researchers with strategies to take ideas forward and discover new pathways to funding.

Read more about the researchers recently supported to further their ideas.

and register now to attend one of our short  to hear more about the programme and how to apply.

Key Dates

Cohort 1:

• Introductory Sessions: In person and online across 16^th and 17^th October 
• Applications Open: 17th October
• Application Deadline: 28th October
• Programme: 14^th November - 19^th February 2025

Cohort 2:

• Information Sessions: March 2025
• Programme: April – June 2025

The MEC Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme is supported by the University’s Innovation Academy. The Innovation Academy is a pan University initiative and joint venture between the , the  and the Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange team, bringing together knowledge, expertise and routes to facilitate the commercialisation of research.

The Options Roundabout event on the 12^th June 2024 was the culmination of the R2I programme which saw our researchers pitch to a panel of entrepreneurs, funders and commercialisation experts. The event which was an opportunity for the cohort to network and celebrate their achievements was hosted in our MEC Enterprise Zone, a dedicated entrepreneurship space in the Alliance Swagֱ�� Business School. 

The R2I programme aims to inspire and accelerate the translation of the knowledge created through academic research into products, services or processes to deliver tangible benefit through a series of bespoke workshops and mentoring opportunities. The workshops helped researchers articulate their ideas by taking them through a lean start-up pathway to explore the commercial potential of their research.

The Innovation Enabling Awards were granted to acknowledge the impact and growth potential with early career researchers receiving between £2000 to £8000 to further develop the commercial potential of their ideas and businesses.

Aline Miller, Professor of Biomolecular Engineering and Associate Dean for Business Engagement and Innovation, presented the Innovation Enabling Awards to the seven winning projects.

Award Winners

Innovation Enabling Awards: £8,000

Personalised phage therapy for bacteria infections 

Dr Rosanna Wright (School of Biological Sciences)

“The Researcher to Innovator programme has been an incredibly rewarding experience; the workshops, support and mentorship have helped me to understand the potential impact of my research and develop skills to better communicate with stakeholders. I am thrilled to receive an Innovation Prize which will accelerate our pathway to translation. Thank you R2I!”

UrbanWatt

Josiah Edebiri (School of Engineering)

"The Researcher to Innovator program has been a great experience; I enjoyed connecting with the other aspiring entrepreneurs and found the workshops hugely beneficial in developing my skillset to progress my enterprise moving forward."

Innovation Enabling Awards: £5,000

Scrap Metal Separation

Dr Kane Williams (School of Engineering)

"R2I enabled me to make contacts in areas of my research that I would not have had otherwise. These contacts will allow me to develop my research further and branch out into new areas." 

Gait Analysis System

Muhammad Taimoor Adil (School of Engineering)

“Participating in the Researcher to Innovator programme has been a transformative experience. The award validates my research's potential and provides essential support to turn it into an impactful solution. I'm grateful for the opportunity and excited to advance my deep-tech startup journey.”

Innovation Enabling Awards: £2,000

Breaking the barrier: A science-art hub

Dr Soheb Mandhai (School of Natural Sciences)

 “The R2I journey has opened my mind to new horizons and has equipped me with the foundational skills that I need to build my enterprise.”

Select Xpress

Matthew Reaney (School of Engineering)

“Having completed the program I can say our idea is in a better place and I feel I have skilled-up in terms of my communication of scientific ideas and willingness to reach out to potential collaborators.”

Colorolicous

Hongning Ren (School of Natural Sciences)

"I gained more appreciation of how to use my research to actually make a difference - sometimes it's better stepping out from lab to talk to real people, then you can solve some real problems."

The prize winners will also receive expert support and signposting to regional and national accelerator programmes and all the participants on the programme will have access to further support, mentoring and guidance from internal professional support teams, including the opportunity to build relationships with business engagement, Innovation Factory and the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre.

The organisers wish to thank the  Fellowship for their sponsorship of the Innovation Enabling Awards.

Get Involved

If you are an early career researcher looking for an exciting opportunity to develop your innovative thinking and enhance your understanding of creating and developing impact join the next round of the R2I programme. Find out more .

The MEC Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme is supported by the University’s Innovation Academy. The Innovation Academy is a pan University initiative and joint venture between the , the and the Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange team, bringing together knowledge, expertise and routes to facilitate the commercialisation of research.

R2I is a bespoke entrepreneurship training programme for final-year PhD students, PDRAs and early-career researchers from across all faculties with ambitions to develop commercial ventures or to create impact from their academic studies.

The programme includes a series of interactive personal and professional development sessions, which introduce the concept of commercialisation, equipping researchers with strategies to take ideas forward and discover new pathways to funding.

Read more about the researchers from cohort 1 supported to further their ideas.

and register now to attend one of our short to hear more about the programme and how to apply.

Key Dates

Cohort 2:

• Introductory Sessions: In person and online across 20^th and 21^st  March 
• Applications Open: 21^st March
• Application Deadline: 1^st April
• Programme: 16^th April - 13^th June 2024

The MEC Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme is supported by the University’s Innovation Academy. The Innovation Academy is a pan University initiative and joint venture between the , the  and the Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange team, bringing together knowledge, expertise and routes to facilitate the commercialisation of research.

The Options Roundabout event on the 19^th February was the culmination of the R2I programme which saw our researchers pitch to a panel of entrepreneurs, funders and commercialisation experts. The event which was an opportunity for the cohort to network and celebrate their achievements was hosted in our MEC Enterprise Zone, a dedicated entrepreneurship space in the Alliance Swagֱ�� Business School. 

The R2I programme aims to inspire and accelerate the translation of the knowledge created through academic research into products, services or processes to deliver tangible benefit through a series of bespoke workshops and mentoring opportunities. The workshops helped researchers articulate their ideas by taking them through a lean start-up pathway to explore the commercial potential of their research.

The Innovation Enabling Awards were granted to acknowledge the impact and growth potential with early career researchers receiving between £2,000 to £10,000 to further develop the commercial potential of their ideas and businesses.

Aline Miller, Professor of Biomolecular Engineering and Associate Dean for Business Engagement and Innovation, presented the Innovation Enabling Awards to the five winning projects

Award Winners

Innovation Enabling Award: £10,000

NeuWave - AI solutions for rapid offshore renewables transition

Jana Stella (School of Engineering)

Innovation Enabling Award: £5,000

Purple Point- A precise and cheaper option for defeating chlamydia

Jorge A. Servert (School of Biological Sciences)

Innovation Enabling Award: £3,000

Transforming ​the Future of ​Bone Implants

Dr Nazanin Mirhosseini​ (School of Engineering)

Innovation Enabling Award: £2,000

Roboglove

Dr Anthony Siming Chen (School of Engineering)

Innovation Enabling Award: £2,000

DISSCO (The Diabetes Severity Score)

Dr Salwa Zghebi (School of Health Sciences)

The prize winners will also receive expert support and signposting to regional and national accelerator programmes and all the participants on the programme will have access to further support, mentoring and guidance from internal professional support teams, including the opportunity to build relationships with business engagement, Innovation Factory and the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre.

The organisers wish to thank the  Fellowship for their sponsorship of the Innovation Enabling Awards.

Get Involved

If you are an early career researcher looking for an exciting opportunity to develop your innovative thinking and enhance your understanding of creating and developing impact join the next round of the R2I programme. Find out more about the programme and how to apply in the upcoming for cohort 2 taking place on 20^th and 21^st March.

The MEC Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme is supported by the University’s Innovation Academy. The Innovation Academy is a pan University initiative and joint venture between the , the  and the Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange team, bringing together knowledge, expertise and routes to facilitate the commercialisation of research.

Over the course of two action-packed days, participants delved into the core pillars of startup success. From refining ideas to building robust proof of concepts, navigating business structures to conducting meticulous market research, every facet of entrepreneurship was meticulously covered. The highlight of the bootcamps was the deep dive into the Business Model Canvas, providing attendees with a comprehensive framework to map out their ventures with precision.

These intensive sessions weren't just about developing their understanding of starting a business, but also instilling the principles of social entrepreneurship. In a nod to the growing importance of social impact in business, Peter shared his knowledge and insights on social entrepreneurship, shedding light on what truly defines a social enterprise and the strategies needed to create meaningful societal impact while building a successful business.

All the hard work and dedication to the day-long bootcamps concluded with pitching and pizza from I Knead Pizza, where attendees showcased their newfound skills in an exhilarating pitching session, pitching their idea in two minutes or less! From fashion brands and Indian handicrafts to physiotherapy and networking apps; we saw a broad range of ideas across the two days, all gearing up to enter the this year.

Attendees were then invited to stick around for networking and drinks, which resulted in new friendships and collaborations amongst budding entrepreneurs, including two entrepreneurs who became co-founders!

These Startup Bootcamps weren't just about equipping students with entrepreneurial skills; they were about igniting a passion for innovation, fostering social responsibility, and empowering the next generation of changemakers. With the knowledge gained and connections forged, these 45 individuals are poised to chart a course towards success, armed with the tools to not only build thriving businesses but also make a lasting impact on society.

Did you miss out on the bootcamps? Not to fear! We’re pleased to announce the Semester 2 dates for our MECitHappen Workshop Series including, Personal Branding, Introduction to Starting a Business, Ideas Generation and Time and Project Management.

Got a business idea but want to know your first steps? Come and meet a member of the team in one of our 30-minute and let us help you kickstart your idea today!

Focusing on key government policy areas—COVID-19, Net Zero, and Place—the study dived deeply into around 267 Impact Case Studies.

Conducted by RAND Europe, Different Angles, and Electric Data Solutions, The University’s research impact was a focal point across the analysis and showcases our extensive influence across various stakeholders and geographic levels.

, Vice-President for Research, said: “I am delighted that this report highlights examples of how our research and innovation brings economic, health and cultural benefits for our city-region as well as nationally and internationally.” 

Emphasising impacts within Greater Swagֱ��, the report particularly highlighted the University's role in Covid-19 and Net Zero, underscoring collaborations with (GMCA) and the profound impact on Climate, Health, and Industry and Commerce. Co-production and collaboration emerged as pivotal drivers of impact, notably through close ties with GMCA.

Notable Impacts:

•            Climate: Swagֱ��’s contributions in developing decentralised climate strategies influenced local climate action. Projects like and significantly shaped climate strategies across Europe and the UK.

•            Health: From pioneering healthcare research to advancements in diagnostic technologies, the University’s work through the National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (NIHR CLAHRC) Greater Swagֱ�� brought , impacting both locally and internationally.

•            Industry and Commerce: Swagֱ��'s collaborative ties between HEIs and the health industry, supported by local authorities, significantly drive positive health outcomes. Initiatives like Health Innovation Swagֱ�� and Swagֱ�� Biomedical Research Centre showcase effective collaborations aiding in commercialisation and innovation. University of Swagֱ�� Innovation Factory has driven the commercialisation of UoM’s innovations and intellectual property. The analysis also picks out the ‘meaningful contribution’ to commerce and industry in the area, supporting the creation and sustenance of multiple start-ups, for example, .

This study underscores the multifaceted impacts of UK HEIs’ research contributions, showcasing their pivotal role in shaping policies and driving tangible societal and economic transformations.

Further information - link to the full report: report.

Analysis of impact of research at HEIs in Scotland and Wales also available on .

 Joining the program

Individuals, or groups of researchers, can now submit details of your research to impact proposal to join the programme.    

The deadline for submissions is 17 April 2023.    

A Selection Panel (comprised of key University Faculty, Innovation Factory, MEC staff and external domain experts) will then shortlist individuals or teams to go on to the next stage of training and you will be informed of the outcome of your application by 21 April 2023.    

All shortlisted individuals, or teams, will be given Faculty support, permission to attend and awarded up to £500 to spend on justifiable expenses incurred during the programme to support the ongoing development of your opportunities.    

There is no better time to take your spark and your ambition and learn how to turn a research idea and innovation into a reality from leading experts and identify the best route to impact.    

Don't miss this opportunity; complete the application form by 17 April 2023.

While we may also be able to consider applications received before 21 April, places on the programme are limited, so we recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment.

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This programme is being coordinated through the , which is an umbrella initiative and joint venture between the Business Engagement and Innovation Team, the and the and has the aim of bringing together knowledge, expertise and routes to facilitate the commercialisation of research.