Newsroom University of ��Թϱ��

Student Entrepreneurs Win Over £2,000 in Pitching Competition

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 10:33:14 +0000

Jacob Katz (BSc Management: Strategy, Innovation & Entrepreneurship), Nikitha Anbuchitra Shanmugasundaram (postgraduate student in the Department of Computer Science), and Zahra Bhatti (MA International Political Economy) secured over £2,000 to continue their business journeys in MEC’s latest Get Pitching competition.

Get Pitching, a live pitching event organised by the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC), is designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs build confidence, refine their ideas, and present their pitches to a judging panel.

Students from a wide range of disciplines attended, both to pitch their ideas and to be inspired from the audience. Throughout the afternoon, ideas showcased sectors including sustainability, wellbeing, and digital innovation.

The judging panel was led by MEC’s team: Mohamed Abbas (Venture Builder Manager), Daniel Syder (Ecosystem Manager), and Louise Taylor (Enterprise Manager).

First Place: Jacob Katz (Loc’d – £1,000)

Jacob Katz, a BSc Management (Strategy, Innovation & Entrepreneurship) student, secured £1,000 for his business Loc’d. A wall-mounted bike storage station designed to protect the whole bike while maximising space on campus.

Jacob’s idea for Loc’d has been developed over the last few weeks, including through MEC’s three-week Intensive Launchpad programme, where Jacob spent time refining his concept and business model.

Jacob shared: “MEC has been extremely helpful while trying to start Loc’d! Get Pitching was just what I needed to build my pitching confidence and to learn what my idea was lacking”.

Second Place: Nikitha Anbuchitra Shanmugasundaram (LexanaAI - £750)

Nikitha Anbuchitra Shanmugasundaram, a postgraduate student in the Department of Computer Science, secured £750 for LexanaAI.

LexanaAI is an intelligent and explainable contract-analysis platform using patentable AI to detect and quantify unfair or risky clauses.

Third Place: Zahra Bhatti ( Véa - £500)

Zahra Bhatti, an MA International Political Economy student in the School of Social Sciences, secured £500 for Véa, an AI-powered emotional mental wellness app helping women uncover and understand their thoughts, triggers and behavioural patterns.

Zahra shared: “The support from MEC is unparalleled and really gives me a lot of confidence to launch my business further. A lot of successful businesses come out of UoM and MEC plays a big role in this. Events like Get Pitching are so useful, it really helps to both practice and hear other pitches to get inspired. I went in not knowing what to expect and came out with great feedback and a win! Getting 3rd place is a cherry on top and a real confidence boost. From here on, it’s really about keeping the momentum up for Véa, which includes developing the app into IOS and android stores, collaborating with academics and conducting more events to keep traction up!”

To learn more about Véa or join the waitlist, visit .

About the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre:

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) is the University of ��Թϱ��’s dedicated hub for enterprise and innovation, supporting students at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. Based within Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School, MEC helps students explore ideas, test assumptions, develop business models, and launch successful ventures.

MEC works with students from all disciplines, encouraging creativity, confidence, and real-world learning. More events like Get Pitching will continue throughout the academic year, helping to spark entrepreneurship and empowering students across the university to take the first step in their business ventures.

Students interested in getting involved can explore upcoming programmes and opportunities by visiting the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre website or following MEC on social media.

Learn more at:

MEC Alum Named North West’s Retail Entrepreneur of 2025

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 11:05:38 +0000

University of ��Թϱ�� and Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) alum Sid Sethi has been recognised at the 2025 Great British Entrepreneur Awards, winning Retail Entrepreneur of the Year – North West for his disruptive eyewear business, Specscart.

Sid founded Specscart in 2018 while studying in ��Թϱ��, after experiencing first-hand the slow and expensive process of replacing broken glasses just three days before his exams. Frustrated by the limitations of traditional UK high-street opticians, he set out to reinvent the eyewear shopping experience.

Launching with a £2,500 investment, Sid built his business from the ground up, painting and wallpapering his first shop himself, and even sleeping in his car as he travelled the UK selling glasses. Today, Specscart has grown into a global retail and e-commerce force, projecting a 2025 turnover of £5m.

Blending high-street presence with digital innovation, Specscart operates three bricks-and-mortar stores across Greater ��Թϱ�� and manufactures glasses in-house at its Bury headquarters, offering the fastest turnaround for prescription glasses in the UK.

Sid’s mission for Specscart is simple, to make eyewear affordable, exciting, and fast.

Sid shared: “Specscart prides itself on being confidently contrarian when it comes to our retail offer. We make shopping for glasses fun, affordable and a pleasure; buying your summer holiday sunnies, everyday readers or funky fashion specs from Specscart is a little bit of retail therapy. It is that disruptor mentality that has helped us land this prestigious award and is an endorsement of our reinvention of what an optician looks and feels like.”

“2026 is shaping up to be a bumper year for us. Our new website is now up and running, which means we’re match-fit for US expansion in Q1 next year. We’ve got corporate eye tests, personalisation of frames and cases, lab robots, graphene glasses and even prescription swimming goggles in the pipeline. We see opportunities for expansion, cornering niche markets and growing our market share everywhere,” concluded Sid.

The Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards, known as the “Grammys of entrepreneurship”, celebrates the hard work, resilience and inspiring stories behind UK founders. Alumni of the awards include the creators of BrewDog, Tangle Teezer, The LAD Bible, Clearscore and The Cambridge Satchel Company.

Frankie James, founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, said: &�Բ��;“Our winners embody the very best of British enterprise, ambitious, resilient and relentlessly innovative. The Great British Entrepreneur Awards exists to champion founders who create jobs, scale ideas and strengthen communities.”

Lee Pugalis, Deputy Director of the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, reflects on the privilege it has been to watch Specscart grow from strength to strength with Sid’s determination.

“Sid embodies exactly what MEC exists to champion, curiosity, resilience, and the courage to rethink established industries. Watching Specscart grow from a spark of an idea during his time at ��Թϱ�� into a multi-million-pound business disrupting the eyewear market has been nothing short of inspiring.

Sid has remained deeply connected to our entrepreneurial community, and his journey shows future founders what is possible when ambition meets grit. We are incredibly proud to celebrate this achievement with him.”

When reflecting on his experience with MEC, Sid shared, “MEC is a big part of the DNA of Specscart. It’s where the Specscart story began. MEC helped me turn the spark of a business idea into a multi-million-pound turnover business. I’ve always felt that MEC, and all of its staff past and present, have been encouraging us on from the sidelines as we overcame hurdles, pulled all-nighters and went from strength to strength. When things get tough, having cheerleaders like MEC makes all the difference.”

Discover more about the Specscart story, and shop the innovative eyewear range at

��Թϱ�� Students Unite to Tackle Climate Solutions

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 09:53:32 +0000

To celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025, students from ��Թϱ�� and ��Թϱ�� Metropolitan University came together for the Greater ��Թϱ�� Student Hackathon: Innovating for a Greener Future. A one-day challenge designed to inspire practical, scalable solutions that support the city’s climate and sustainability ambitions.

Delivered in partnership with Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, the Greater ��Թϱ�� Combined Authority (GMCA), Sustainable Ventures, Generator MCR, and ��Թϱ�� Metropolitan University, the event brought together students from a range of disciplines to collaborate, develop new ideas, and pitch their solutions to a panel of industry experts.

Judges included Dan Griffiths, Head of Low Carbon at GMCA; Niamh Donovan, Ecosystem Manager at Sustainable Ventures North; and Josh Gamlin from Generator MCR. Students were supported throughout the day by mentors and facilitators who offered guidance and challenge to help refine their concepts.

The winning team, Circular Rent, impressed judges with an incentive-based programme designed to reduce household appliance waste across ��Թϱ��’s student community. Their circular model stood out for its creativity, feasibility, and potential to support the city’s sustainability goals.

Dan Syder, Ecosystem Development Manager, shared:

“In my years working in Higher Education in ��Թϱ��, I’ve learned that collaboration and a can-do attitude sit at the heart of every success. It was fantastic to see these qualities in action today, with mixed teams from both universities and the energy, passion, and creativity they brought to the challenge.

A pleasure as always to work alongside former colleagues from ��Թϱ�� Metropolitan University. Congratulations to all the students who showcased such commitment and thank you to the judges and sponsors for sharing your time, insight, and support.” The hackathon was supported by the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) based in Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School, which provides programmes, events and opportunities for students across all courses and disciplines interested in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Find out more about

��Թϱ�� Students Take Their First Steps to Becoming Entrepreneurs at Startup Weekend 2025

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 13:50:00 +0000

140 students from across the University of ��Թϱ�� took part in Startup Weekend 2025 (24th–26th October), a three-day entrepreneurship event hosted by the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC).

Aurore Hochard, Director at MEC, brought Startup Weekend to the University of ��Թϱ�� in 2024, shortly after joining the team. Following the huge success of the very first Startup Weekend initiative, it has since become a flagship event at the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, championing entrepreneurship among students across the university.

This year’s event, organised by Joana Carneiro (Enterprise Innovation Administrator at MEC) and Izzy Paton (Operations Administrator at MEC), brought together industry experts, speakers, and mentors to spark and celebrate entrepreneurship, showcasing both emerging and established talent.

Across the weekend, participants pitched ideas, formed teams, and developed startup concepts with guidance from experienced mentors and industry leaders, wrapping up the weekend with a live pitch event in front of a panel of expert judges.

The event opened with inspiring talks from Aurore Hochard and Farah Frikha, Founder of Vesta Capsules and MEC alumna, followed by rapid-fire 30-second pitches and team formations.

Throughout the weekend, participants learned how to identify customer needs, validate business concepts, and apply entrepreneurial thinking to solve real-world problems.

Saturday focused on turning ideas into viable products and business models, with hands-on workshops including “Building the Startup Team” led by Dr Rob Martin, Lecturer in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship at MEC.

Tom Parson, Founder of Big Echo, led “Blank Page to Big Idea: Unlock Startup Ideas with AI”, a session on using AI to spark creativity and accelerate the ideation process, helping students transform concepts into viable business ideas.

Jorge Servert, Founder of Sensium, led “Developing the Right Product or Service”, a practical session guiding students to define and build their product or service based on real market needs, while also creating their first business plan using MEC’s startup template.

On Sunday, teams perfected their business ideas through sessions like “Marketing & Acquiring Customers” with Eleni Chiarapini, Lecturer in Entrepreneurship at MEC, and “Personal Branding for Startups” with Coralie Watson, Founder of Theme Socials.

Lastly, students worked on their pitches in “Pitch Perfect” with Julia Spencer, Acceleration Manager at NatWest Corporate Banking. Julia shared industry experience and insight on what investors are really looking for in a pitch and how to make an idea stand out.

The weekend wrapped up with final presentations to a judging panel featuring Professor Lee Pugalis (Deputy Director of MEC), Travis Ralph-Donaldson (Innovation Discovery Manager at the University’s Innovation Factory), Stephen Sankson (Regional Director at NatWest Corporate Banking), and Jenny Oliver (CEO and Founder of Biora Nature Tech).

The event concluded with an awards ceremony recognising the top-performing teams and their innovative ideas:

First place went to Veila, a clothing brand redefining modest fashion, led by Sabrinel Takheroubt (AMBS, Faculty of Humanities) alongside Nishita Chatlani, Yutong Song, Danna Castañeda, and Eleanor Alphonso (all AMBS and Faculty of Humanities students). The team received £3,000 to continue their journey to market, focusing on direct-to-consumer growth and online marketing.

Second place was awarded to DecoRent, a decoration rental service for short-term stays in ��Թϱ��. The team, Stella Zhuoyue Ji Chen (AMBS), Mollie Levitt (School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, Faculty of Humanities), Benya Irlam (AMBS), Yaowen (Stephen) Hu (AMBS), and Chaerin (Devon) Son received £2,000 to help expand their mission of bringing cosy, functional spaces to students across the city.

Highly Commended went to isitUp, a speculative market app for investing in people’s relationships, led by Isaac Batho (School of Engineering).

In total, 20 new business ideas were formed over the weekend, showcasing the entrepreneurial energy of ��Թϱ��’s student community and representing students from across all three faculties, Humanities; Science and Engineering; and Biology, Medicine and Health.

Throughout the weekend, participants were supported by a dedicated group of mentors offering one-to-one advice and feedback, including Oladabola Babalola (Babz), Fernando Torres, Harry Panter, Sergio Gutierrez, Luke Marden, Jonghun Lee, Rick Watson, Ramin Esmaeilzadeh, Huw James, and Leigh Wharton.

About the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre:

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) is the University of ��Թϱ��’s focal point for enterprise and entrepreneurship teaching, learning, and startup support. MEC helps students, researchers, and alumni turn ideas into real-world impact through workshops, mentorship, and venture programmes.

Learn more at:

Demonstrating the Progress of ��Թϱ��’s First Venture Builder Cohort

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 14:48:46 +0100

On Wednesday 8 October at Sister ��Թϱ��, The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) hosted the inaugural Venture Builder Demo Day.

11 student and graduate founders from across ��Թϱ�� gave compelling 4-minute pitches to an audience of investors, local ecosystem partners, stakeholders, and peers – demonstrating innovative solutions to real problems across diverse sectors.

They each developed their products and services on the ��Թϱ�� Venture Builder – MEC's 12-week programme of structured support to help entrepreneurs test and validate their idea, build an MVP and gain real traction on their journey to market-readiness.

Mohamed Abbas (Venture Builder Manager, MEC) emphasised the importance of collaboration between organisations and individuals in supporting emerging young founders:

After the pitches, startups and guests gathered for the showcase and networking – an opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, and build connections.

The ventures showcased were:

SpinOr – Compact superconducting quantum computers.
PeerMatch – Building the platform where humanity's next breakthrough begins.
AquaMinds – AI-powered early warning system for fouling in water treatment plants.
Vesta Capsules – Offering safe sleep anytime, anywhere through stackable, weatherproof, and modular pods inspired by Japanese capsule hotels.
ARDHANN – AI-powered next-gen composite materials for Energy, Space and Defence.
Gynomics – Harnessing computational biology and machine learning to drive predictive and preventative care in women's reproductive health.
Ecotrace – Plug-and-play circularity SaaS to extend the lifecycle of consumer goods, improve customer experiences, and help manufacturers meet tightening regulations.
Synkit – Wellness app helping employers support female staff through cycle-synced lifestyle.
Waddle – Spontaneous small-group meetups for students seeking real-world connection.
UniSights – Platform for Latin American schools to connect students with UK universities.
TerraIQ – AI-powered farm optimisation platform for smallholder farms to unlock sustainability-linked revenue.

We would like to congratulate all the startups who participated in the Demo Day for reaching this key milestone and we are excited to follow their growth and continued success.

MEC is the University’s focal point for enterprise and entrepreneurship, offering opportunities for all current students, recent graduates and staff. Our vision is to create an ecosystem that nurtures innovators and fosters startups, driving global impact.

You can find out more on our website . If you are interested in supporting our entrepreneurs with your expertise or investment, please get in touch with our team.

Celebrating Women Driving Change: Female Founders Network Returns with Focus on Social Entrepreneurship

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 16:48:28 +0100

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) is delighted to announce the return of the Female Founders Network this semester, with a special edition celebrating Women in Social Entrepreneurship, in collaboration with the Women in Business Society. Taking place on Thursday 16th October 2025, the event will recognise women driving positive change through purpose-led enterprise.

The evening will begin by honouring Eve Kekeh, founder of Bundlee – the UK’s first baby clothing rental subscription service – and Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award winner. A highlight of this segment will be the unveiling of a prestigious Purple Plaque, celebrating Eve’s outstanding contributions to innovation and sustainability.

The programme continues with an interactive panel and networking session, exploring the journeys of women building ventures with social impact at their core. The panel features inspiring leaders, including Anita Frost, multi award-winning author and founder of Green Bean Studio, a ��Թϱ��-based children’s brand championing education, sustainability, and creativity. Attendees will enjoy networking activities, discussions, and the opportunity to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs.

To attend please register .

You can find out more about the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) .

Donor-funded Ideas with Impact Awards support budding founders at ��Թϱ��

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 09:03:22 +0100

On Monday 14 July, start-up founders from across ��Թϱ�� pitched their groundbreaking business ideas to a panel of expert judges at the newly launched Ideas with Impact Awards.

Following pitches from 14 finalists, the awards brought together innovators, investors, students and supporters to kickstart new innovations with the potential to create significant social and economic impact in the UK and beyond.

A remarkable 146 students, researchers, academics and recent graduates applied for the prestigious awards. Following a rigorous selection process, six entrepreneurial founders were chosen to receive funding to accelerate their ventures.

The Ideas with Impact prizes will provide the winners with awards of £100,000, £75,000, and £20,000 to support the critical early stage of their innovation journeys. On the evening, £10,000 was also awarded to the winner of a special 60 second Elevator Pitch Prize, as chosen by the audience.

The Ideas With Impact 2025 Award winners

Winner of £100,000:

Kay Marshall, Molla Pharm: a novel endometriosis treatment, preventing cells from growing and returning after routine surgery for endometriosis.

Winners of £75,000:

Alexander Stokes, Imprinted Diagnostics: an in-field heart attack diagnostics device, offering rapid lab-quality results from a drop of a blood and without refrigeration.
Dan Healy, LanthaGen Bio: engineered bacteria for earth metal extraction from complex mixtures such as mining waste or electronics recycling streams.

Winners of £20,000

Niaz Rayan, SporeSense: an AgriTech device that helps farmers spot invisible disease threats before they can damage crops.
Thanasis Stergiuo, HalioGen Power: next generation flow battery, using recyclable materials and avoiding toxic or flammable components.

Winner of £10,000 Elevator Pitch Prize

Parsa Pirhady, Simplex Molecular Ltd: the first at-home DNA test for sexually transmitted infections that gives results immediately, without needing to send samples to a lab.

Innovation addressing global challenges

Ideas with Impact is designed to support promising commercial ideas from across our University community. The awards support start-ups that address pressing local and global challenges, ensuring ��Թϱ��’s best innovations can move out into the world more quickly, while also creating tangible economic growth.

In addition to financial support, winners receive access to experienced mentors, networking opportunities, and guidance in translating their research and IP into viable business ventures.

Donors at the heart of our innovation ecosystem

The Ideas with Impact Awards are supported by the University’s generous community of donors, who ensure ��Թϱ�� can continue to support the very best talent at a critical early stage. Philanthropy has already made a huge impact on the University’s innovation ecosystem and will play a vital role as ��Թϱ�� scales up its ambition to become Europe’s leading innovation university.

A statement from our judging panel

&�Բ��;“We are delighted to be able to award the Ideas with Impact funds to a group of budding entrepreneurs who play a critical part in ��Թϱ��’s innovation ecosystem. Philanthropy plays a key role in bringing these innovative ideas to life, by supporting founders and helping them to evolve their concepts into high value start-ups and spin-outs.

Working closely with a community of like-minded donors, business leaders and industry partners enables us to create high value impact, both socially and economically. We are delighted to congratulate our winners and, for all our other finalists and applicants, do not be disheartened! We are building a growing and supportive network through the Innovation Academy to help your amazing ideas get to their next milestone, and we can’t wait to work with you all.”

Dr Cat Headley, CEO of ��Թϱ�� Innovation Factory
John Holden, Associate Vice-President for Major Special Projects at ��Թϱ��.
Professor Aline Miller, Director of the Innovation Academy and Chief Scientific Officer of Unit M at ��Թϱ��.

Philanthropic Support

Interested in supporting brilliant future founders and ensuring entrepreneurship for all? We’d love to explore opportunities with you. Contact Olympia Kennard, Head of Philanthropy, Research & Innovation, to begin a conversation: [Olympia.Kennard@manchester.ac.uk](mailto:Olympia.Kennard@manchester.ac.uk).

Our innovation ecosystem

Read more about Unit M here:
Read more about the Innovation Factory here:
Read more about the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre here:

Early Career Researchers secure funding through the Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme to support the commercial development of their ideas

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 14:03:00 +0100

Twenty-four early career researchers have now successfully completed the MEC Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme, an exciting entrepreneurship training programme for researchers with ambitions to develop commercial ventures and create impact from their research.

On Thursday 17^th July 2025, researchers from ��Թϱ�� furthered their entrepreneurial journey by completing the MEC R2I programme at the Options Roundabout event. The event saw participants pitch their innovations to a panel of commercialisation experts, entrepreneurs and funders from across the University. The day concluded with a celebration of the cohort’s accomplishments with peers and supporters of the programme, as well as a networking opportunity to aid them in their next steps.

The R2I programme aims to inspire and accelerate the translation of academic research into impact-driven ventures. Over the course of 12-weeks, participants benefited from a series of bespoke workshops and mentoring opportunities to help them articulate their ideas and explore the commercial potential of their research.

Six Innovation Enabling Awards were granted to acknowledge the progress and growth potential, with early career researchers receiving between £2,000 to £10,000 to support the further development of their businesses.

Aurore Hochard, Director of the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, presented the Innovation Enabling Awards to the six winning projects.

Award Winners

Innovation Enabling Award: £10,000

Lutèo Medical

Dr Abigail Elias (School of Biological Sciences)

“The support, mentoring, and resources provided through the Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme have been transformative. Most importantly, the experience gave me the confidence to reach out to potential stakeholders and begin building the connections needed to bring my ideas to life. It was also great to connect with people on the cohort from such a broad range of disciplines."

Innovation Enabling Award: £5,000

ViRTUE: Virtual Reality Training in Ultrasonic Evaluation

Daniel Conniffe (School of Engineering)

“R2I equipped me with the resources, motivation, and communication skills to bridge the gap between research and industry. Through building a strong network, I gained insight into real-world challenges and was able to pivot my research toward creating a meaningful, practical solution.”

Innovation Enabling Award: £3,000

Hollowgraf

Dr Premlal Balakrishna Pillai (School of Engineering)

“The encouragement, guidance, and practical knowledge I gained through R2I have been truly inspiring. The programme really helped me to clarify my idea and shape it into a commercially viable opportunity, giving me the confidence to take the first steps into entrepreneurship.”

Innovation Enabling Award: £2,000

PRECIOUS: Programmable Recovery of Critical Elements Using Synthetic Biology

Dr Sergio Gutiérrez Zapata (School of Natural Sciences)

“The R2I programme gave me the push I didn’t know I needed. It helped me go from a scientific idea to something that could actually work in the real world — with real people and real challenges. Being able to shape a venture around bioremediation, and test the idea from different angles, has been incredibly motivating.”

Innovation Enabling Award: £2,000

PRISM: Prostate cancer Risk Identification by Spectroscopic Measurement

Dr Dougal Ferguson (School of Engineering)

“The R2I programme really helped me hone my ability to concisely and impactfully pitch my research as a commercial application. I am much more confident now pitching my science to a non-scientific audience!”

Innovation Enabling Award: £2,000

Inclusive Skincare Solutions

Yoana Kirilova (School of Biological Sciences)

“The Researcher to Innovator programme has been a fantastic journey – connecting with like-minded peers, learning from experienced entrepreneurs, and gaining insights that will continue to shape my innovation journey.”

The prize winners will also receive expert support and signposting to regional and national accelerator programmes and all the participants on the MEC R2I programme will be connected to the wider ecosystem for further support, mentoring and guidance in taking their research ideas forward.

The organisers wish to thank the Innovation Academy and the Engineers for Business Fellowship for their sponsorship of the Innovation Enabling Awards.

The 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.

��Թϱ��'s First Venture Builder Programme Cohort Reaches Milestone

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0100

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre's (MEC) inaugural Venture Builder Programme has just wrapped up with an incredible showcase of talent and determination.

This empowering accelerator, crafted specifically for students and recent graduates, brought together 22 exceptional student founders from every corner of the University of ��Թϱ��. The breadth of talent included Computer Science innovators working alongside Biotechnology pioneers, Economics strategists collaborating with Chemical Engineering problem-solvers, with representation from undergraduates right through to PhD candidates.

The intensive 12-week programme, designed to take participants from initial concept to business execution, concluded with presentations from all participating student startups. The session featured valuable feedback and insights from industry professionals Ranvir Singh (GC Angels) and Dan Sandler (CEO of Veridox), who provided expert guidance to the emerging entrepreneurs. Ranvir also shared his thoughts on the importance of persistence, that "Excellence in any field demands unwavering commitment and effort".

Throughout the programme, participants validated business ideas, developed actionable business models, created minimum viable products, and mastered essential skills including market validation, fundraising strategies, and pitching techniques. All 22 student entrepreneurs successfully presented their ventures, representing diverse sectors and innovative solutions.

Congratulations to all our graduates and their innovative ventures:

AccuNote - Evangelos Anapliotis
Aharik - Maansi Gupta
ARDHANN - Dr Sangeethsivan Sivakumar
Aurora-Hive - Yasar W Khan
Binary Aura - Taha Naeem
Branchify - Chih Chiang yang
CoordVenture - Ehsan Siddiqui
FoulGuardAI - Abdullah Albiladi
FurryWell - Pu-De Ciou
Groupy - Jonghun Lee
Gynomics - Dora Marčec
Neurotect - Dylan Simpson
PawFur - Donglin Zhao
PetFit - Rebecca Jibson
PulsR - Leo Feasby
PurFetch - Raymond Xiang Zheng
Quillall - Serban-Andrei Locota
Reviewer.Go - Altynai Mambetova
Sync It - Matilde Ferias
TerraIQ - Imaara Keshwani
UniSights - Sebastian Contreras Scheuermann
Vesta Capsules - Farah Frikha

The Venture Builder Programme has proved transformational for its founding cohort, providing essential frameworks for turning ambitious ideas into viable businesses.

"It has helped us validate our assumptions. Initially, we didn't know what would work and what wouldn't, what to scrap and what to keep. Venture Builder has helped us clarify our vision for our startup, so we can go from ideation to implementation", explains Andrei, who studies BSc International Business Finance and Economics at AMBS. This journey from uncertainty to clarity exemplifies how the programme equips participants with the critical thinking and strategic tools needed to navigate the challenging transition from concept to execution.

Looking Ahead: Demo Day 2025

The programme completion marks the beginning of the next phase for these emerging businesses. Participants will continue developing their ventures in preparation for the Venture Builder Demo Day on 8th October 2025.

The Demo Day represents a milestone in the entrepreneurial journey, offering participants a platform to demonstrate their progress, attract potential investment, and connect with key stakeholders in the ��Թϱ�� startup ecosystem.

The Venture Builder Programme is powered by MEC and designed for UoM students and graduate founders ready to transform their ideas into viable businesses. More information can be found on including registering interest to be part of the 25/26 academic year cohort.

The Future of Entrepreneurship: ��Թϱ��'s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem at Its Finest

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0100

On Wednesday 18th June at the Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School, The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) brought together over 140 early-stage founders, seasoned entrepreneurs, innovators, and ecosystem partners for a transformative half day that emphasised the importance of alignment.

As the driving force behind the university’s student entrepreneurial ecosystem, MEC continues to connect and teach ambitious students with the resources, networks, and insights they need to succeed. The event, part of the Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School's Festival of Business, showcased the depth and vibrancy of ��Թϱ��'s entrepreneurial community whilst delivering practical insights and forging meaningful connections.

Innovating Tomorrow: Dr Vivek Koncherry's Keynote

(CEO and Chairman of Graphene Innovations ��Թϱ�� Ltd) opened the day with a compelling keynote that demonstrated how technical expertise can be transformed into commercial success. Drawing from his journey as a materials researcher turned successful entrepreneur, Dr Koncherry shared invaluable insights about the importance of alignment in all aspects of business and life.

His key messages resonated throughout the room:

"Alignment is important in all areas of life. Pick people who align with you."

"If you're doing something, do it really fast. It gives you time to modify. Be open to change."

These principles of speed, adaptability, and strategic alignment set the tone for a day focused on practical wisdom and action orientation

For students looking to transform their entrepreneurial expertise into commercial ventures, the ��Թϱ�� Venture Builder programme offers structured support to navigate this transition. Learn more about how the programme helps turn innovative ideas into thriving businesses.

AI Productivity Workshop: Immediate Impact

The AI Productivity Workshop, co-delivered by (MEC) and (MEC) provided attendees with hands-on experience using cutting-edge AI tools they could implement immediately in their work and accelerate their startup trajectories. The session demonstrated how AI adoption doesn't require technical expertise - just the willingness to experiment and adapt these powerful tools to specific business needs.

Investment Realities: The Funding Session

(CEO of Veridox.ai) and (Investment Manager of GC Angels) delivered a session on investment realities, combining the perspectives of a serial entrepreneur and professional investor. Their insights challenged conventional fundraising wisdom whilst providing actionable guidance for entrepreneurs at all stages.

The session's standout insight came from the emphasis on strategic alignment: "Alignment is everything. Be selective about your investors - pick those who truly align with your vision. You'll make mistakes along the way, but that's exactly how you learn and grow." This message reinforced Dr Koncherry's opening theme whilst providing specific guidance on investor relations and fundraising strategy.

Made in ��Թϱ��: Ecosystem Speed Pitching

Led by (MEC), the Made in ��Թϱ�� speed pitching session connected student entrepreneurs directly with representatives from eleven key organisations. This session proved particularly valuable for student entrepreneurs seeking to understand the comprehensive landscape of support available locally.

From funding and investment ( ��Թϱ�� Angels, Praetura Ventures) to government support and innovation programmes (Innovate UK, STFC), professional services (KPMG), accelerator programmes (NatWest Accelerator, Chimera Start-ups), business growth support (GM Business Growth Hub), digital expertise ( ��Թϱ�� Digital), sustainability focus (Sustainable Ventures), and creative sector support (Department), the breadth of specialised assistance available within ��Թϱ��'s ecosystem was eye opening. Dr Rob Martin and Mohamed Abbas (MEC) also participated in the session further demonstrating the entrepreneurial support available for students. The collaborative spirit of ��Թϱ��'s business community was evident throughout the session. As one ecosystem partner noted: "We're here because we believe in the power of community, we believe in entrepreneurship and we believe talent is everywhere." Another emphasised the local advantage: " ��Թϱ�� is full of talent and knowledge."

Entrepreneurs@ ��Թϱ�� Panel: Authentic Insights

The day concluded with a panel discussion featuring three successful entrepreneurs from different sectors. (Co-founder of HANX), (Co-founder of UrbanWatt), and (Principal of ��Թϱ�� Angels) shared authentic insights about their entrepreneurial journeys, expertly moderated by (Editor-at-Large of Reuters).

The panel delivered exactly what was promised—honest, practical wisdom from founders who have navigated the challenges attendees were facing. A particularly prescient insight came from the discussion about pace and adaptation in today's business environment:

"You have to grow insanely fast in this age of AI."

The quality of moderation and the willingness of panellists to share successes and setbacks created the kind of authentic dialogue that transforms understanding of what entrepreneurship entails.

Looking Forward

This event showcased why ��Թϱ��'s entrepreneurial ecosystem continues to thrive. The combination of world-class educational institutions, supportive infrastructure, collaborative community spirit, and access to both local and international opportunities create an environment where ambitious entrepreneurs can flourish.

MEC continues to lead efforts in connecting and supporting ��Թϱ��'s startup entrepreneurial community, providing the platforms, insights, and networks that transform student entrepreneurial aspirations into commercial achievements.

Ready to be part of ��Թϱ��'s entrepreneurial story? Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, established business leader, or potential mentor, MEC offers programmes and services designed to accelerate the student entrepreneurship journey. We're here to connect students with the opportunities, expertise, and networks that drive real impact.

We're actively seeking experienced mentors to guide the next generation of ��Թϱ�� entrepreneurs. Your expertise could be the catalyst that transforms an innovative idea into a thriving business. If interested, please see .

Discover more on MEC’s offerings:

To everyone who joined us - thank you for making it incredible. To those who missed it - we'll see you at the next one

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre is part of The Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School, supporting entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey through events, programmes, and ecosystem connections. For information about upcoming events and entrepreneurship programmes, visit our on our website or follow us on

Venture Further Awards 2025 - Celebrating Entrepreneurial Excellence and Innovation

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 15:20:06 +0100

A record-breaking year for ��Թϱ��’s student and graduate start-ups as the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre marks 25 years of enterprise education.

On Wednesday 11 June, the at ��Թϱ�� celebrated a landmark year with the Venture Further Awards 2025 — the UK’s leading university-led start-up competition.

Marking the Centre’s 25th anniversary, this year’s awards attracted a record-breaking 175 applications — a 22% rise on 2024 — reflecting ��Թϱ��’s growing reputation as a powerhouse for student innovation.

Twenty finalists pitched their ventures across five key categories — Environment, Healthcare, Services, Social, and Technology — with the winners of each category receiving £15,000 in equity-free funding from a total prize pot of £100,000. The awards ceremony took place at , the University’s new home for innovation and collaboration, where several recent MEC startup alums are based.

This year’s finalists delivered bold, solutions-driven ideas tackling global challenges — from UrbanWatt’s wireless charging for electric vehicles to FlashAid AI’s rapid-response medical emergency help platform, which has already been seen on outlets such as Daily Mail and HealthInvestor UK. The event showcased the depth of entrepreneurial talent emerging from ��Թϱ�� and underlined MEC’s vital role in helping students launch impactful ventures.

Venture Further 2025 Winners

Environment Category

1st Prize: Josiah Edebiri, UrbanWatt (School of Engineering, PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
2nd Prize: Farah Frikha, Vesta Capsules (Alum of School of Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering)

(Winners pictured with Giulia Sirigu, Scaleup Director at Innovate UK)

Healthcare Category

1st Prize: Grigorii Rodionov, FlashAid (Alum of School of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering BEng)
2nd Prize: Adrian Perez Barreto, Revine (CDT-Advanced Biomedical Materials)

(Winners pictured with Lee Pugalis, Deputy Director of the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre)

Services Category

1st Prize: Raymond Zheng, PurFetch (Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School, MBA)
2nd Prize: Sebastian Contreras, UniSights (Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School, BSc Management with Placement - Innovation, Strategy & Entrepreneurship)

(Winners pictured with Janine Smith, Director of GM Business Growth Hub)

Social Category

1st Prize: Bohyuck Han, The Senior Vision Project (Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School, MSc Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship)
2nd Prize: Derry Duffy, Cause (School of Social Sciences, BSocSc Politics and International Relations)

(Winners pictured with Carla Zuill, Founder of SheHUB.TV & Women's Empowerment Summit)

Technology Category

1st Prize: Patrick Sarsfield, Graphene Thermal (School of Natural Sciences (SNS), Researcher in Graphene NOWNANO CDT)
2nd Prize: Leo Feasby, PulsR (School of Natural Sciences (SNS), MPhys Physics with Astrophysics)

(Winners pictured with Andrew Dennison, Innovation Discovery Manager of Innovation Factory)

More information about winners

This year’s finalists presented powerful, purpose-led ventures addressing some of today’s most pressing challenges.

Environment Category Winners

UrbanWatt is making city transport greener and easier by helping businesses switch to electric vehicles. Their clever hands-free charging system means electric fleets can stay powered up without the hassle, making sustainable deliveries simpler than ever.

Josiah Edebiri, UrbanWatt (School of Engineering, PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

Vesta Capsules is reimagining short stays with cosy, eco-friendly sleeping pods inspired by Japan’s capsule hotels. Designed for comfort, privacy, and sustainability, they offer a smart, modern alternative to traditional accommodation – all at an affordable price.

Farah Frikha, Vesta Capsules (Alum of School of Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering)

Healthcare Category Winners

FlashAid AI is taking on one of healthcare’s biggest challenges – ambulance delays. Their smart platform helps get emergency help to people faster by improving how calls are handled, vehicles are dispatched, and routes are planned, all in real time.

Grigorii Rodionov, FlashAid (Alum of School of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering BEng)

Revine is tackling the serious problem of diabetic limb ulcers with an easy-to-use patch that helps wounds heal faster and stay free from infection. Designed to boost recovery and monitor progress in real time, it offers a new, more effective way to care for long-term wounds.

Adrian Perez Barreto, Revine (CDT-Advanced Biomedical Materials)

Services Category Winners

PurFetch is creating an app and smart pet companion to help owners understand how their pets are feeling. By spotting changes in behaviour or signs of health problems, it offers simple, personalised advice—plus a friendly robot to keep pets entertained and cared for.

Raymond Zheng, PurFetch (Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School, MBA)

UniSights helps Latin American high school students explore study opportunities in the UK. It offers advice from current students, direct contact with universities, and smart tools to match them with the right courses—making the journey to study abroad simpler and more confident.

Sebastian Contreras, UniSights (Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School, BSc Management with Placement - Innovation, Strategy & Entrepreneurship)

Social Category Winners

The Senior Vision Project tackles elderly poverty by creating part-time jobs that fit local needs. Their free AI-based dementia prevention programme offers cognitive training for seniors, while the data collected helps fund these community employment initiatives.

Bohyuck Han, The Senior Vision Project (Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School, MSc Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship)

Cause is the first online giving platform designed specifically for small charities. It helps them connect with donors, raise funds, and grow by removing obstacles like high advertising costs and limited digital skills. With no platform or donation fees, Cause makes it easier for small charities to maximise their impact.

Derry Duffy, Cause (School of Social Sciences, BSocSc Politics and International Relations)

Technology Category Winners

Graphene Thermal offers innovative heating with self-contained graphene floor panels. These panels heat up in seconds and use over 50% less energy than traditional underfloor systems, providing an efficient, low-maintenance solution for homes and businesses.

Patrick Sarsfield, Graphene Thermal (School of Natural Sciences (SNS), Researcher in Graphene NOWNANO CDT)

PulsR is an innovative AI company offering a range of smart tools that help with tasks like creating images, writing, working with spreadsheets, coding, and solving maths problems. With over 10 million conversations and top ratings on ChatGPT’s app store, PulsR supports students, professionals, and businesses to work smarter and more creatively.

Leo Feasby, PulsR(School of Natural Sciences (SNS), MPhys Physics with Astrophysics)

The evening celebrated not only the immediate winners but also the broader impact of entrepreneurship at the university.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of ��Թϱ��

The evening celebrated not only the immediate winners but also the broader impact of entrepreneurship at the university. Speaking at the Award ceremony, Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of ��Թϱ��, said:

The transformational impact of the awards was further emphasised by Mehdi Boudjadja, VFA23 winner and founder Metofico, who reflected: "Winning the Venture Further Awards was transformational, beyond the crucial funding, MEC gave us the confidence, resources, and belief to turn our start-up into a global business. Without their support, we wouldn't be where we are today."

Faculty Representation

This year’s Venture Further Awards spotlighted the impressive entrepreneurial breadth across ��Թϱ��, with a particularly strong showing from the Faculty of Science and Engineering, which led the way with ten finalists. Close behind, the Faculty of Humanities demonstrated remarkable enterprise flair, fielding eight finalists—six of whom hailed from the Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School alone. Completing the diverse line-up were two healthcare-focused ventures from the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, reflecting the growing innovation emerging from the university’s life sciences community.

About the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre

For 25 years, the Centre has empowered the next generation of business leaders through dedicated programmes, co-curricular activities, personalised advice, and competitions like Venture Further, creating pathways for entrepreneurial talent to flourish beyond university walls.

More Information

See the

Students Tackle Real-World Problems in ��Թϱ�� Enterprise Challenge

Thu, 15 May 2025 14:17:14 +0100

On Wednesday, 7th May, student teams participating in the ��Թϱ�� Enterprise Challenge showcased their innovative solutions to a panel of academic staff, representatives, and project hosts.

This impactful service-based learning challenge provided students with immersive, hands-on experience addressing genuine challenges faced by local charities, social enterprises, and non-profit organisations. Each team demonstrated exceptional professionalism, strategic insight, and the ability to deliver meaningful, impactful solutions.

Participating Teams and Their Achievements

��Թϱ�� Media Group / Students’ Union
Explored business strategy and new revenue opportunities.
Team: Brenda Chan, Seojun Lee, Huawei Huang, Almos Laskowski, Maggie Tjen
Action for Conservation
Created a partner network and sourced materials to suit a minimal budget.
Team: Blessing Koomson, Hei Man Valerie Tam, Yan Ue Natalie Tse
National Football Museum
Developed a social media strategy to boost engagement and implement sustainable content practices.
Team: Layan Aljohani, Rimaz Alandijani, Fatimah Al Dibil
Democracy Volunteers
Evaluated election threats and helped draft a report for councils, policymakers and election bodies.
Team: Noreen Khan, Alex Park, Jiya Grover

What Is the Enterprise Challenge?

The ��Թϱ�� Enterprise Challenge is designed to integrate enterprise education with practical consulting and project management experience in authentic business environments. This unique opportunity allows students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios whilst developing valuable professional skills.

How to Apply

The Enterprise Challenge is open to undergraduate students enrolled in one of the following UCIL/MEC entrepreneurship-related elective units:

For complete eligibility criteria and application details, please visit the

Venture Further Awards 2025: The Finalists For The UK's Leading University Start-up Competition

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 16:35:27 +0100

The proudly unveils this year's extraordinary Venture Further Awards finalists who are set to revolutionise their industries. These brilliant minds aren't just developing business ideas – they're crafting solutions that could transform how we live, work, and thrive.

What distinguishes these University entrepreneurs? Each finalist has identified real-world challenges and developed innovative approaches that show great potential. From sustainable environmental solutions to ground-breaking healthcare technologies, these ideas showcase the incredible talent nurturing within our university walls.

In this milestone 25th Anniversary year of the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, the competition holds special significance as we reflect on a quarter-century of fostering innovation and entrepreneurial excellence at ��Թϱ��.

After an intense selection process, the finalists are competing for funding of up to £15,000 in one of the five categories: Environment, Healthcare, Services, Social & Technology. The winners will be announced at our awards ceremony on 11 June.

Environment Category

Josiah Edebiri - UrbanWatt

School of Engineering, PhD EEE

UrbanWatt is revolutionising sustainable urban logistics by simplifying the commercial adoption of Light-EVs through integrated wireless power technology, AI-driven optimisation, and smart charging systems.

Farah Frikha - Vesta Capsules

School of Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering

Inspired by Japanese capsule hotels, Vesta Capsules offers affordable, eco-friendly sleeping pods built with smart technology and sustainable materials, providing a modern alternative to traditional accommodations.

Mohammad Israil Hossain - Aqua Graph

School of Natural Sciences, Nano and Functional Materials

Aqua Graph has developed graphene-based filtration technology where micro-sponges can adsorb harmful chemicals from wastewater up to their own weight, with a reversible process allowing for material recovery and reuse.

Thando Mathe - Khuluma

School of Environment, Education and Development, MSc Global Development Environment and Climate Change

Khuluma uses AI-driven climate communication to break language barriers across Africa, making critical climate information accessible to diverse communities.

Healthcare Category

Adrian Perez Barreto - Revine

CDT-Advanced Biomedical Materials

Revine addresses diabetic limb ulcers with a graphene-based electrostimulation patch that enhances tissue regeneration while preventing infection, with integrated biosensors providing real-time wound data.

Indu Khemchandani - DiabetesCareAI

Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School, MBA

DiabetesCareAI is an AI-powered app helping users manage diabetes through real-time insights, personalised recommendations, and seamless device integration, with a freemium model and B2B partnerships.

Grigorii Rodionov - FlashAid AI

School of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering BEng

FlashAid AI tackles ambulance delays with an AI-powered platform for emergency response featuring instant triage, smart dispatch, real-time tracking, and dynamic routing optimised for traffic conditions.

Jasper Beaumont - Mend

School of Medical Sciences, MBChB Medicine

Mend is an AI-powered digital mental health platform helping patients build positive lifestyle habits through automated tracking, personalised care insights, and data-driven recommendations.

Services Category

Usman Aziz - JIFFL

Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School, PhD Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy

JIFFL is a SaaS platform revolutionising part-time recruitment with an end-to-end solution enabling all recruitment stages on a mobile app and website, supported by machine learning and NLP for automated interviews.

Xiang Zheng - Purfetch

Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School, MBA

Purfetch combines an AI-powered app and pet robot to help owners better understand their pets' emotional changes, behaviours, and health needs through real-time analysis and personalised care advice.

Matilde Lerias - Syncit

Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School, MSc Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship

Syncit is a fitness app that considers the menstrual cycle, providing science-backed personalised fitness, nutrition, and wellbeing plans to help women maintain consistent routines.

Sebastian Contreras - Unisights

Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School, BSc Management (Innovation, Strategy & Entrepreneurship) with Placement

Unisights connects Latin American high school students with UK universities through insights from current students, direct access to university representatives, and AI-powered university matching.

Social Category

Alex Kapadia - Pomelo

School of Natural Sciences, Earth and Planetary Science

Pomelo is an AI-powered platform making local shopping more affordable and convenient by connecting users with nearby food suppliers and chefs, with smart meal planning to reduce food waste.

Bohyuck Han - The Senior Vision Project

Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School, MSc Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship

The Senior Vision Project addresses elderly poverty by creating meaningful part-time employment and providing AI-powered dementia prevention training, with data sales reinvested into senior employment projects.

Derry Duffy - Cause

School of Social Sciences, BSocSc Politics and International Relations

Cause is the first online giving platform built specifically for small charities, removing fundraising barriers with no platform fees and enabling connections through data-driven recommendations.

Oboroghene Ogbevire - PalmPro

School of Biological Sciences, Biochemistry BSc (Hons)

PalmPro is pioneering sustainable palm oil extraction through extremophile-derived enzymes that enhance oil yield while reducing environmental impact, with profits reinvested in small-scale producers.

Technology Category

Patrick Johansen Sarsfield - Graphene Thermal

School of Natural Sciences, Graphene NOWNANO CDT

Graphene Thermal specialises in cutting-edge graphene heated floor panels that reach their target temperature in seconds while consuming over 50% less power than conventional underfloor heating.

Dr Sangeethsivan Sivakumar - Ardhann

School of Natural Sciences, PhD Materials

Ardhann develops advanced carbon fibre composites and graphene-based solutions for hydrogen and hydrocarbon storage systems, with integrated monitoring and a SAAS platform for predictive maintenance.

Leo Benjamin Feasby - PulsR

School of Natural Sciences, MPhys Physics with Astrophysics

PulsR offers a suite of AI-powered GPTs including Image Generator Pro and Excel AI, with over 10 million chats and top rankings on ChatGPT's store, enhancing productivity across various fields.

Eduardo Marques - Amplify

School of Engineering, BEng Mechatronic Engineering

Amplify is building a non-invasive Brain-Computer Interface wearable that reads brain signals and uses AI to decode them into commands, streamlining repetitive tasks for 10x productivity.

MEC would like to invite the community at ��Թϱ�� in congratulating these remarkable entrepreneurs on reaching the finals of the Venture Further Awards 2025. Their innovative ideas showcase the exceptional talent and entrepreneurial spirit within the University ecosystem.

Stay tuned for the announcement of winners on 11 June!

#VentureFurtherAwards2025 #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #StartupCompetition

Find out more about the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) on our website .

Ready, Set, Pitch! - April Edition Recap

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 13:37:41 +0100

The latest edition of the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC)'s was a resounding success, bringing together innovative minds from across the University of ��Թϱ��. Held on April 2nd, the event saw two batches of eight student-led startups take the stage to present their business ideas to a panel of expert judges.

With participants from MEC programmes such as Ideas Lab and Get Started, as well as independent applicants from various disciplines, the event highlighted the dynamic entrepreneurial spirit within the university. Each pitch demonstrated exceptional creativity, strategic thinking, and presentation skills.

🎖 Announcing Our Winners 🎖

Batch 1:

Niti Nararidh (Invenere)
Evangelos Anapliotis (Accunote)
Syed Syed Aarij Arifeen (Sportado)
Sebastian Contreras Scheuermann (Unisights)
Carlos Vivero Vivanco (Ethico)

Batch 2:

Firaas Nasir & Jonghun Lee (Groupy)
Arseniy Shumilin (Growthnexus)
Jack Westbrook & Sofia Zinna (Cut 2 Career)

What is Ready, Set, Pitch?

Ready, Set, Pitch! is a platform designed for University of ��Թϱ�� students eager to take their first steps into entrepreneurship. Whether launching a business, kickstarting a social enterprise, or developing an impactful project, this event provides an opportunity to refine ideas, gain exposure, and receive valuable feedback from experienced judges.

Participants have three minutes to present their business ideas, followed by a short Q&A session. Each event showcases some of the most promising student-led ventures, with the best pitches receiving financial support to help bring their ideas to life.

The competition is open to all students, including those from MEC’s Ideas Lab and Get Started programmes, as well as independent applicants from various faculties. Participants must submit a Pitch Deck, which outlines their business goals and market opportunities. This ensures they receive structured feedback and develop their entrepreneurial skills.

Why Participate?

Boost your confidence in public speaking and pitching.
Receive expert feedback to refine and strengthen your business idea.
Join a network of like-minded innovators and entrepreneurial students.
Gain access to resources that support early-stage startup development.

We extend our gratitude to the judges, Entrepreneurship Champions, and event organisers who made this event possible. Ready, Set, Pitch! continues to be a crucial platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to refine their ideas, build confidence, and receive valuable feedback.

We look forward to seeing these startups develop further and make an impact in their respective industries. Stay tuned for the next edition of

To find out more about MEC, head to our website:

Researcher to Innovator (R2I) Programme - Apply by 8th April to secure a place

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000

to join the R2I programme

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

Key Dates:

Application Deadline: 23:59, 8^th April 2025 []
Boot Camp Day 1: Monday 28^th April 2025
Boot Camp Day 2: Thursday 8^th May 2025
Full Programme: Monday 28^th April – Thursday 17^th July 2025

Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the next cohort and join a network of likeminded researchers.

to secure your place on the programme!

To find out more about the R2I Programme visit our

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.

Get Started Business Ideas Programme: Successful Inaugural Edition

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:49:04 +0000

Today marks the end of the first edition of the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre’s Get Started business ideas programme, a new initiative designed to transform student ideas into potential ventures.

University of ��Թϱ�� students embraced entrepreneurial spirit with this innovative online challenge-based programme, which creates a unique platform for students to explore their entrepreneurial potential, offering participants the opportunity to win up to £500 and develop critical entrepreneurial and employability skills.

Turning Ideas into Opportunities

The programme's inaugural run demonstrated remarkable traction, attracting 113 students from across The University and generating 38 innovative project submissions with a total prize pool of £10,500.

The inaugural programme generated impressive interest and students submitted exceptional quality work:

Total Participants: 113 students enrolled
Submissions: 38 innovative project proposals
Prize Pool: £10,500 to fuel student innovation

University-Wide Participation

Participants spanned the entire academic spectrum - all nine Schools were represented in enrolments and participants spanned undergraduate to PhD - showcasing the programme's broad appeal. As it continues to evolve, Get Started promises to be a pivotal platform for student innovation, acting as an accessible first-step to explore entrepreneurial creativity.

9 schools represented in enrolments
8 schools submitted innovative proposals
Participants spanning undergraduate to PhD levels

All Levels of Study: Undergraduate students formed the largest cohort at 52.2% of participants, with taught master's students making up 39.8% of the programme's participants. PhD and doctoral candidates rounded out the group, bringing their specialised knowledge and research-driven approach to the entrepreneurial landscape.

Top Three Schools: Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School was the most represented School with 43 students (38.1% of total participants). The School of Engineering followed closely with 23 students (20.4%), while the School of Social Sciences rounded out the top three with 15 students (13.3%).

Gaining Momentum

As opposed to a competition, Get Started submissions are awarded funding and feedback based on individual progress and potential. The programme serves as a catalyst for innovation, providing as many students as possible with the tools, support, and motivation to explore their entrepreneurial ideas. The programme embraces digital learning, embeds skills development within real-world problem-solving, and breaks down barriers to taking early steps in a business journey.

By bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world innovation, the University of ��Թϱ�� is nurturing the next generation of creative thinkers and business leaders. Get Started will run eaech semester and has now also opened to ��Թϱ��’s international partner institutions.

For more information about the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, head to .

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre Announces Winners of the 2025 Eli & Britt Harari Graphene Enterprise Award

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 15:49:43 +0000

��Թϱ��’s reputation as a global leader in graphene innovation was reinforced as announced the winners of the 2025 Eli & Britt Harari Graphene Enterprise Award. The prestigious competition, which supports students, postgraduates, and recent alumni in turning cutting-edge research into viable businesses, awarded £50,000 and £20,000 to two outstanding ventures set to disrupt industries with their graphene and 2D material-based technologies.

The grand final, held on March 11, saw finalists pitch their groundbreaking ideas to an expert panel at Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School. The event culminated in a hybrid awards ceremony at the Enterprise Zone, with a global audience tuning in via livestream. Keynotes from Aurore Hochard, Director of MEC, and Luke Georghiou, Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, highlighted the university’s commitment to turning research into real-world solutions. A fireside chat with last year’s winners, Solar Ethos, provided valuable insights for the next generation of graphene entrepreneurs.

The panel featured distinguished leaders in entrepreneurship and graphene innovation at ��Թϱ��. The group included Aurore Hochard, James Baker (CEO of Graphene@ ��Թϱ��), Professor Luke Georghiou, Dr. Ania Jolly (Henry Royce Institute), Professor Aravind Vijayaraghavan (founder of Grafine Ltd.), and Dr. Vivek Koncherry (CEO of Graphene Innovations ��Թϱ��). Their expertise ensured a rigorous selection process, identifying businesses with the strongest potential for commercial success.

The four finalists for this year showcased diverse and innovative applications of graphene and 2D materials.

Patrick Johansen Sarsfield from the School of Natural Sciences is developing Graphene Thermal - a company creating efficient graphene heated floor panels that reach target temperatures rapidly while using 50% less power than competitors.
Jorge Servert from the School of Biological Sciences leads Sensium, which is revolutionising molecular diagnostics. Their technology achieves 90-95% accuracy in detecting various conditions, including infections and STIs, in under 5 minutes at just $1 per test.
Mohammadhossein Saberian from the School of Natural Sciences heads Metamorph Materials, which transforms biomass into carbon-negative graphite for lithium-ion batteries, offering a sustainable alternative that enhances battery performance for EVs and electronics.
Rui Zhang from the School of Natural Sciences presents Graphene Vision, developing next-generation in-situ cells that enhance materials characterization systems. Their cost-effective solution enables real-time atomic-level imaging, accelerating research in various fields including catalysis and biomaterials.

The £50,000 first prize was awarded to Jorge A. Servert of Sensium (School of Biological Sciences), who combines expertise from diagnostics with his PhD in Biophysics. Jorge was also part of where he received support in delivering impact with his research.

The £20,000 second prize went to Patrick Johansen Sarsfield of Graphene Thermal with co-founder Daniel Mills, aircraft engineer at General Aero Services. Patrick is currently doing his PhD in the Theory of Electronic Properties of Graphene. We also extend recognition to finalists Mohammadhossein Saberian (School of Natural Sciences) of Metamorph Materials, and Rui Zhang (School of Natural Sciences) of Graphene Vision. Rui was part of where he received support in delivering impact with his research.

We congratulate all participants on their outstanding achievements. Their innovations hold tremendous potential for commercial impact, from sustainable materials to next-generation electronics. By supporting these enterprising individuals, ��Թϱ�� is not only fostering personal success but also driving forward solutions to global challenges.

"To everyone, the journey continues and it's all about resilience" - Aurore Hochard, Director of the

Next round of MEC Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme launched: Join an Information Session

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 10:07:47 +0000

Following the success of the MEC Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme inspiring early career researchers to translate research to impact we are pleased to announce the next cohort will be running again from April 2025.

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 where we’ll introduce you to the R2I programme. You’ll hear from researchers about their experiences and explore the opportunities and benefits of joining the programme and how to apply.

Key Dates

Cohort 2:

Information Sessions: In person and online across 26^th and 27^th March
Applications Open: 27^th March 2025
Application Deadline: 23:59, 8^th April 2025
Full Programme: 28^th April – 17^th July 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.

Six researchers secure funding through the MEC Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme to boost the development of their commercial ideas.

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 17:00:00 +0000

Twenty four early career researchers have now successfully completed the MEC Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme, an exciting entrepreneurship training programme for researchers with ambitions to develop commercial ventures and create impact from their academic studies.

The Options Roundabout event on the 19^th February 2025 was the culmination of the which saw our researchers pitch to a panel of commercialisation experts, entrepreneurs and funders. The event was a resounding success and an opportunity for the cohort to network and celebrate their achievements with peers and supporters of the programme.

The 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 £1000 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 six winning projects.

Award Winners

Innovation Enabling Award: £8,000

Tiny Human Dramas

Dr Meghan Rose Donnelly (School of Social Sciences)

“The R2I programme provided me with the skills I needed to take my research out into the world and make a real impact: connecting with industry, refining ideas, building a plan for the future, pitching to potential investors, and much more. R2I absolutely brought me from researcher to innovator.”

Innovation Enabling Award: £5,000

Antenatal Education

Dr Holly Reid (School of Medical Sciences)

"The programme and the award have meant that the little idea with which I started R2I, could now be a commercially viable business very soon and that's really exciting."

Innovation Enabling Awards: £3,000

Graphene Vision

Dr Rui Zhang and Dr Matthew Lindley (School of Natural Sciences)

"The R2I programme has equipped us with the skills and confidence needed to navigate the entrepreneurial journey. The Innovation Enabling Award will help accelerate the commercialization of our innovation and has given us even more motivation to succeed."

AI- GPR

Dr Frank Podd (School of Engineering)

“R2I was a fantastic way to learn about the best approach to starting a company, from the inception of an innovation through to the collaborative development of a product with customers”

Innovation Enabling Awards: £1,000

Green Terra Energy Storage

Camilo Salazar (School of Engineering)

&�Բ��;“R2I is a very user-friendly program that provides you with the fundamental tools to start becoming an entrepreneur. The key is to believe in your role, you are already the best.”

Battery Waste Recycling

Dr Amal Nadri (School of Engineering)

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

Get Involved

��Թϱ��-based Tech startup Arcube secures $1.5m in seed funding

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Arcube, a ��Թϱ��-based startup aiming to transform the airline industry, has successfully raised a $1.5 million seed round co-led by Fuel Ventures & Oxford Capital Partners. Notable investors include the Chairman and former CEO of Pegasus Airlines and the founders of PointsYeah.com. The company has established its headquarters in the city’s cutting-edge innovation district, Sister. The company’s platform promises to unlock significant new revenue streams for airlines through smarter use of passenger data.

Founded by University of ��Թϱ�� graduates Prithveesh Reddy and Harvey Lowe, Arcube has already caught the attention of industry insiders by winning the Venture Further Awards in the Technology category. Their platform leverages artificial intelligence to boost loyalty and ancillary revenue for airlines.

Making loyalty pay

Arcube’s flagship product, the “Passenger Intelligence Platform” is the world’s first post-flight solution. It uses advanced data analytics to track passenger behaviour and suggest personalised upsells immediately after a flight. The technology was trialled by Etihad Airways, generating $1.6 million in extra revenue from just 1,300 passengers over the course of a year and achieving a notable 10.3% increase in average order value.

Airlines have long struggled to build loyalty among infrequent flyers. Many passengers hold dormant loyalty accounts with insufficient points to redeem meaningful rewards. Arcube’s solution enables passengers to convert their unused miles into ancillaries such as priority boarding, fast-track security and lounge access. These ancillaries are reserved for a future booking, to incentivise the passengers return to the same airline.

Reddy explained, “Airlines have vast amounts of passenger data—what people eat on board, how early they arrive at the airport, how long they spend in lounges—but much of it goes unused. Our platform bridges that gap by offering tailored, real-time options to passengers as soon as they get off the flight.”

From student project to startup success

Arcube’s journey began at ��Թϱ��’s Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC), which was established by Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School (AMBS) enterprise lecturers in 2000 and provides resources and support for budding entrepreneurs. The duo started by taking part in the Centre’s entrepreneurship courses and later secured early-stage funding through MEC’s Kickstarter scheme. Earlier this year, Arcube took first place in the prestigious Venture Further Awards, one of the UK’s leading university startup competitions. “The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre gave us a vital platform,” said Lowe. “Their mentorship and financial support have played a crucial role in our progress.”

The company has also recently secured the Turing Innovation Catalyst ��Թϱ�� AI innovation grant.

Building trust with industry giants

Breaking into the airline industry is notoriously difficult for newcomers, but Arcube managed to convince Etihad Airways to pilot its technology. Lowe reflected on the challenge: “We didn’t have a track record, so we offered to build the software at our own risk, asking only for a share of the additional revenue we could generate. It was a bold approach, but after months of negotiations, Etihad agreed.” The pilot scheme’s results speak for themselves. With Etihad handling over 17 million passengers annually, the potential for rolling out the solution on a larger scale is substantial.

Looking ahead

Having recently graduated, Reddy and Lowe are now focusing on scaling their operation. They are in discussions with 14 airlines globally and aim to establish Arcube as a leader in the burgeoning travel ancillary data market. “Our ambition is to create the world’s largest data set for travel ancillaries,” Reddy said. “Ancillaries already account for up to 20% of revenue for traditional airlines, and for low-cost carriers, it’s often more than 50%. We’re starting with airlines, but our vision extends to the entire travel ecosystem—car rentals, cruise lines, hotels.” With a combination of technical expertise, entrepreneurial grit, and early success, Arcube looks set to become a major player in travel tech. As the startup scales its platform and expands its client base, it’s poised to offer a smarter, data-driven approach to airline loyalty and revenue generation.

Celebrating Entrepreneurship: A Successful Global Entrepreneurship Week 2024 by the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 15:35:45 +0000

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) successfully hosted Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2024 at ��Թϱ��. From November 18 to 24, MEC offered a diverse program of speaker sessions, interactive workshops, and its first-ever Startup Weekend.

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is an annual event that celebrates and empowers entrepreneurs worldwide. The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre offered events throughout the week, catering to individuals at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey, from newcomers to those ready to scale their ideas. The events drew 263 students and delivered over 32 hours of programming.

The week began with the inspiring Startup Spotlight with Dr. Mehdi Boutagouga Boudjadja, the visionary Founder of Metofico. He generously shared deep, invaluable insights from his entrepreneurial journey from a PhD student to a Venture Further Awards winner, captivating the audience with stories of challenges he overcame.

Throughout the week, participants had access to a comprehensive series of professional development workshops and learning opportunities:

💡 A strategic AI Marketing masterclass conducted by Peter Dickinson, focusing on advanced methodologies for business development

🎯 An executive Personal Branding 101 workshop facilitated by Jessica Lewis-Tatton, designed to enhance participants' professional presence

🎤 The Ready, Set, Pitch! competition, providing emerging entrepreneurs with a platform to present their business ideas

📚 An essential 'Introduction to Starting a Business' seminar by Jessica Lewis-Tatton delivering strategic business fundamentals

🧠 An insightful Neurodivergence & Entrepreneurship session facilitated by Matilda Page and Dr. Rob Martin, examining diverse entrepreneurial perspectives

The week concluded with the inaugural Startup Weekend, a three-day intensive program where 140 participants collaborated to develop their business concepts into viable ventures. The level of innovation and professional dedication demonstrated was exemplary.

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre extends its gratitude to the speakers, mentors, and participants who contributed to the success of #GEW2024. The professional excellence and collaborative approach exhibited throughout the event reinforces ��Թϱ��'s status as a premier destination for entrepreneurship and innovation.

MEC looks forward to seeing the exciting ventures and connections that emerge from this incredible week.

Unleash Your Potential with Global Entrepreneurship Week 2024

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 12:14:37 +0000

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is here to celebrate and empower entrepreneurs! Join the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) for a week of exciting events, whether you're just starting out or ready to take your idea to the next level.

Join inspiring speaker sessions and workshops, with highlights including AI marketing, personal branding, pitch competitions, and neurodivergence in entrepreneurship. Conclude the week with MEC’s first-ever Startup Weekend, where you'll pitch ideas, form teams, and gain hands-on startup experience in just over two days. Learn, network, and accelerate your entrepreneurial journey!

Discover MEC’s Global Entrepreneurship Week events:

Monday 18 November: Startup Spotlight with Dr Mehdi Boutagouga Boudjadja

17:00 - 18:30 | 2.008, AMBS |

Join MEC's Startup Spotlight with Dr. Mehdi Boutagouga Boudjadja, VFA23 Technology winner and Metofico Founder and CEO, in partnership with UoM Management Society.

Tuesday 19 November: AI as Your Marketing Partner: Driving Growth and Efficiency for Startups

11:00 - 13:30 | 3.013a/3.013b, AMBS |

Elevate your startup marketing in Peter Dickinson's AI workshop, blending 40+ years of expertise with cutting-edge tools for success.

Tuesday 19 November: Personal Branding 101

15:00 - 16:30 | 2A.012, Nancy Rothwell Building |

Boost your career with this workshop on crafting your personal brand, enhancing networking skills, and curating a strong digital presence.

Wednesday 20 November: Ready, Set, Pitch!

14:00 - 16:00 | 2.007, AMBS |

Join the audience for Ready, Set, Pitch! to watch early-stage student entrepreneurs pitch for prizes.

Thursday 21 November: Intro to Starting a Business - Steps to Starting

13:00 - 15:00 | Enterprise Zone (2.039), AMBS |

Gain the foundational knowledge to start your business or side hustle with this workshop on business models, customer focus, and defining your unique value.

Thursday 21 November: Neurodivergence & Entrepreneurship Workshop

14:00 - 15:30 | 3.2, Roscoe Building |

Hear from neurodiverse role models, gain insights for university success, and enhance your skills in this empowering workshop.

Friday 22 Nov, Saturday 23 Nov & Sunday 24 Nov: Startup Weekend

Starts 18:30 on Friday 22 Nov | The Hive Space, 3rd Floor, AMBS |

Join Startup Weekend to network, collaborate and turn ideas into reality, fast-tracking your entrepreneurial journey!

Head to our to find out more!

The is the focal point for enterprise and entrepreneurship teaching, learning and startup support at ��Թϱ��, supporting all University of ��Թϱ�� students, staff and recent graduates, across all subject disciplines.

MEC Honours 20 Years Since Graphene Discovery

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 16:51:00 +0100

To mark the 20th anniversary of the discovery of Graphene, we'd like to celebrate the success of the 2024 Eli and Britt Harari Graphene Awards. Here you can have a glimpse at how the event went last year while celebrating the innovative entrepreneurs that are using graphene to create brilliant new commercial opportunities.

The Eli and Britt Harari Competition is an annual award to help students, postdocs, and recent graduates launch companies using graphene or other 2D materials. With prizes of £50,000 and £20,000 up for grabs, we look for exciting ideas that can transform cutting-edge tech into a real, money-making business.

If you are interested in applying for the Eli & Britt Harari Award 2025, here are the details:

Applications open: Monday 11th November 2024
Applicant Support Session: Tuesday 28th January 2025
Applications close: Monday 10th February 2025
Find out more information, head to the Award's page on the MEC website .
Any questions: Contact harari@manchester.ac.uk

Stand out from the crowd: sharpen your skills with Key 5!

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 14:00:05 +0100

"Entrepreneurship" may sound like something only future business founders need to care about, but entrepreneurial skills aren’t just for launching companies. They can help you navigate any job and stand out from the crowd.

That’s why Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) created ‘Key 5’—a new flexible, interactive learning experience designed to equip students with essential entrepreneurial skills for any career path, whether you're interested in starting your own business or excelling within an organisation.

Key 5 delivers valuable, real-world skills in an interactive and flexible format. Even if you don’t yet know the career you want, you’ll gain skills you can use right now - from acing your next interview to leading group projects like a boss.

What is ‘Key 5’?

Key 5 is an innovative microlearning suite - five bite-sized modules you can finish in just 10-15 minutes each:

Effective and Powerful Communication: Learn how to express ideas clearly and persuasively.
Networking: Discover how to build connections that can open doors to new opportunities.
Market Awareness: Understand the environment you’re operating in and how to respond to it.
Opportunity Recognition: Develop the ability to spot potential and act on it.
Building Confidence: Strengthen your ability to lead, present, and excel in group settings.

What Makes It Fun?

What sets Key 5 apart is its scenario-based learning design. You'll engage in dynamic, interactive challenges - negotiating with aliens, slaying dragons, and inventing world-changing products in a futuristic multiverse – all while boosting your skills.

Learn in Your Own Time, No Pressure

You can do it all on your own schedule, wherever you are. Do you have 15 minutes between lectures? Perhaps you’re waiting for the bus? You can access Key 5 anywhere, anytime, on any device. And it’s risk-free – no need to worry about assessments or grades, learn without pressure.

Who Should Try It?

Whether you are new to entrepreneurship or a seasoned pro, Key 5 will help you sharpen your skills, but we expect first- and second-year undergraduates will benefit most.

See what it's like! Find out more about Key 5 with our short video:

Ready to Start?

Are you ready to start your journey? Jump into Key 5 and start building the skills that will make you stand out in any career.

Let us know what you think! Leaving feedback at the end of each module helps us know what works for you so we can design future learning experiences.

Find out more about the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) .

Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme launched for 2024-25

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 11:36:33 +0100

The hugely successful Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme inspiring early career researchers to translate research to impact is back for 2024-25.

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

Winners announced for the Eli & Britt Harari Graphene Enterprise Award 2024

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 15:30:00 +0100

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) is pleased to announce the winners of the Eli & Britt Harari Graphene Enterprise Award 2024.

This prestigious award is designed to support students, postdoctoral researchers, recent graduates, and encourage new student cohorts to engage with MEC, in launching new businesses that involve graphene or other 2D materials. It’s all about sparking innovation and making a real impact in the commercial world, turning groundbreaking research into real, game-changing solutions for the future.

With awards of £50,000 and £20,000, we’re excited to celebrate the individuals or teams who showed how their graphene-related technology can be turned into a business. The applications were judged based on how solid their plans were for creating a new business related to graphene or 2D materials.

This award gives winners the perfect launchpad they need to kickstart their business. ��Թϱ�� understands how crucial flexible early-stage financial support is for these kinds of ventures, to help make these dreams a reality and bring a product or technology to the market.

This year, the top prize of £50,000 went to Kun Huang of Solar Ethos. Kun has a Master’s degree in Corrosion Control Engineering and a PhD in Material Physics. The second prize of £20,000 was awarded to Hafiza Hifza Nawaz of Fabstics, who has a PhD in Materials. We also congratulate the other finalists - Mohammadhossein Saberian of EcoTarTech and Ozan Zehni of Dorlion SHM.

The winners, pictured above with Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Deputy President Luke Georghiou:

Left: First place - Solar Ethos
Right: Second place - Fabstics

All finalists received support throughout the competition, which included: pitching workshops, help with applications by Scott Dean (CEO of Graphene Trace), and IP advice from Innovation Factory. These resources were key in helping them navigate the challenges of starting a business and turning their groundbreaking ideas into real-world solutions.

Our top-tier judges included Professor Luke Georghiou, Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of ��Թϱ��; Lynn Sheppard, Masood Entrepreneurship Centre Director; Jessica McCreadie, Investment Director at Northern Gritstone; James Baker, CEO Graphene @ ��Թϱ�� at ��Թϱ��; and Gareth Jones, Project Manager - Electronics at the University of ��Թϱ�� Innovation Factory. Their expertise and dedication to encouraging innovation played a key role in choosing projects that could make a big difference.

We offer a huge congratulations to all the participants! We can’t wait to see the fantastic impact of their innovative work in the commercial world. By supporting these entrepreneurs, we're not only helping them achieve their dreams but also paving the way for future advancements that can tackle some of the world's most pressing challenges.

Along with the awards, we heard inspiring speeches from high-profile individuals such as Lynn Sheppard, Professor James Baker, Dr. Vivek Koncherry, Liam Johnson, and Professor Luke Georghiou. They shared amazing insights about graphene and other 2D materials, emphasising the transformative potential of these technologies and the importance of ongoing innovation. We were also joined via Zoom from California by Dr. Eli Harari, founder of SanDisk, the memory storage technology company. He encouraged attendees to "Think Big!".

Eli & Britt Harari Award 2021 winner Dr. Vivek Koncherry, the CEO of Graphene Innovations ��Թϱ��, is making significant strides in connecting graphene technology with global business opportunities. Last year, he signed a $1 billion partnership with Quazar Investment Company to create a new company in the UAE aimed at tackling global sustainability challenges. Recognised as ��Թϱ��'s answer to Elon Musk, Vivek recently impressed judges to win the North West heat of KPMG’s Tech Innovator in the UK 2024. With a strong background as an alumnus and researcher from ��Թϱ��, Vivek exemplifies the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation.

Some notable quotes about the competition include Lynn Sheppard's encouragement, "For all the winners and nominees, your journey does not stop here, it goes on," and Prof. James Baker's insight, "Graphene can make a big difference in addressing the climate change challenges." Dr. Vivek Koncherry highlighted ��Թϱ��'s entrepreneurial spirit by stating, " ��Թϱ�� is very good for entrepreneurship," while Dr. Eli Harari inspired with, "We need people like you to aspire in making the world better." Liam Johnson appreciated the award's impact, saying, "The award allowed me to turn this idea to something tangible," and Prof. Luke Georghiou emphasised the importance of support with, "It's our duty to build an ecosystem to support the development of graphene."

Their words emphasised the event's theme of driving change and shaping a brighter future through cutting-edge research and entrepreneurship, wrapping up the event on an exhilarating high.

Seven researchers secure funding through the flagship Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme to continue developing their commercial ideas

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 10:01:00 +0100

Twenty two early career researchers have now successfully completed the Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme, an exciting entrepreneurship training programme for researchers with ambitions to develop commercial ventures and create impact from their academic studies.

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 ��Թϱ�� 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)

&�Բ��;“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

Celebrating student entrepreneurship success at the Venture Further Awards 2024

Thu, 09 May 2024 14:59:18 +0100

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) at ��Թϱ�� is delighted to have successfully concluded the Venture Further Awards 2024, the UK’s leading university-led start-up competition.

The annual competition, which boasts a substantial £100,000 prize fund, saw a record-breaking 143 applications this year, marking a 34% increase from the previous year. The competition attracted innovative business proposals across five categories: Healthcare, Services, Technology, Environment, and Social.

From sustainable solutions in the Environment category to revolutionary healthcare innovations and transformative technologies, the breadth and depth of ideas showcased by our finalists have been astounding. On top of that, impressive entries in the Services and Social categories highlighted our students and recent graduates' commitment to addressing a wide range of social issues and needs.

The night started with Lynn Sheppard, Director of MEC, addressing the quality of the entries and the competition’s significant growth from its previous years. She introduced the evening’s keynote speaker, Mustafa Khanwala Founder and CEO of MishiPay, Venture Further winner in 2016, who described his successful entrepreneurial journey. Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Luke Georghiou spoke about the entrepreneurial roots of the University of ��Թϱ�� in our Bicentenary year and today’s innovation ecosystem which will support the winners. He introduced competition judges Lee Pugalis (MEC Deputy Director), Matilda Page (MEC Enterprise Business Development Executive), Sam Patchitt (Investment and Portfolio Manager at GC Angels), Meredith Greey (Head of Programmes at Hatch) and Natalie Jameson (Chief executive and inventor of YZen.ai) who presented the prize-winners in each category.

The Venture Further Awards dinner, held on Wednesday, 8 May 2024, was an evening of celebration and recognition of the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation within our community. Winners of the first (£15,000) and second (£5,000) prizes in each category were announced and awarded for their remarkable efforts and potential to make a significant impact in their respective fields.

Venture Further 2024 Winners

Environment Category

1st place winner: Timothy Capper, OptiSpark
2nd place winner: Nayab Raza, ALGAVERSE

(Winners pictured with Lee Pugalis, Deputy Director of the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre)

Healthcare Category

1st place winner: Tunde Oremulé, Airyn
2nd place winners: Liam Johnson, MouseAble and Steven Mayers, Zeus Biologics Ltd

(Winners pictured with Matilda Page, Enterprise Business Development Executive at the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre)

Services Category

1st place winner: Moradeke Orekoya, Skinpli
2nd place winner: Mark Kashumba, UGAFARM

(Winners pictured with Sam Patchitt, Investment and Portfolio Manager at GC Angels)

Social Category

1st place winner: Danielle Fatunla, The Onyx Group
2nd place winner: Chanel Ehi-Palmer, EHI

(Winners pictured with Meredith Greey, Head of Programmes at Hatch)

Technology Category

1st place winner: Harvey Lowe, Arcube (pictured above with co-founder Prithveesh Reddy)
2nd place winner: Ed Engleback, Altaia

(Winners pictured with Natalie Jameson, Chief Executive and Inventor of YZen.ai)

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre extends its congratulations to all winners and participants. We are incredibly proud to be a part of these bright minds' entrepreneurial journeys. With the conclusion of this year's Venture Further Awards, we look forward to the innovative and impactful ideas that next year's competition will undoubtedly bring.

The night concluded with the announcement that Lynn Sheppard, Director of MEC, will be stepping down from her role after 24 years. On behalf of ��Թϱ�� and the Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School, we express our gratitude for her dedication. She has been the trailblazer for MEC and a pioneer of entrepreneurship for staff, students, and graduates at this university.

As a hub for all entrepreneurial activities at ��Թϱ��, the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre will continue to champion our students, recent graduates, and staff's entrepreneurial aspirations. We remain committed to offering a wide array of co-curricular activities, such as competitions, speaker events, workshops, and start-up support programmes, to help our community gain invaluable experience and kick-start their entrepreneurial journeys.

For more information about the Venture Further Awards or the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, please visit .

Venture Further Awards Winner Sid Sethi Named on Forbes 30 under 30 Europe list 2024

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 09:24:00 +0100

Sid Sethi, the founder of the revolutionary eyewear brand Specscart and Venture Further 2018 winner, has been named on the prestigious Forbes 30 under 30 Europe list 2024. The annual list recognises Europe’s best innovators and entrepreneurs who are transforming their fields. Sid has been listed in the retail and e-commerce category for innovating in the UK eyewear industry.

Sid was frustrated with the slow and costly process of acquiring new glasses from high street opticians in the UK. This frustration led to the birth of Specscart, a game-changing solution in the eyewear market. Sid kickstarted Specscart in ��Թϱ�� in 2018. Since then, the business has grown into a global retail and online force to be reckoned with and is on track for a 2024 turnover of £5m. Specscart already ships to more than 120 countries worldwide – from the Maldives and Saudi Arabia to the Falkland Islands and Cape Verde.

Sid's entrepreneurial journey began with a modest £2,500 investment. His determination was evident as he painted and wallpapered his first shop himself and slept in his car while travelling across the UK to sell glasses. The 2018 Venture Further Awards winner’s dedication and hard work have transformed Specscart into a brand synonymous with high-quality, fashionable, and affordable eyewear.

Specscart’s core mission is to revolutionise the eyewear shopping experience. They not only ensure the delivery of high-quality eyewear within 24 hours but also aim to transform glasses from a mere instrument of sight correction into a fast-fashion accessory. This innovative approach has undoubtedly positioned Specscart as a trailblazer in the eyewear industry.

Specscart brings together a high street retail offering of three bricks and mortar shops across Greater ��Թϱ�� with innovative e-commerce which sees the affordable glasses they make in-house at their Bury headquarters, delivered in 24 hours.

Sid also said, “Specscart will be using this hugely prestigious win as rocket fuel in our business. This accolade is a triumph for me, and everyone at Specscart, but it’s also a win for ��Թϱ��, the North West and UK plc.”

Sid succeeded against competition from thousands of award nominations to make it on to the list having wowed Forbes editors and expert industry judges with his game-changing retail and global e-commerce offer.

The would like to congratulate Sid and his team for the incredible work they’ve been doing with Specsart and wish them all the best going forward.

To find out more visit .

Celebrating Entrepreneurial Talent with the Venture Further Awards 2024

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 15:06:00 +0000

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre is excited to announce the finalists for Venture Further Awards 2024, the UK’s leading university-led start-up competition, with applications open for all current students and recent graduates at ��Թϱ��.

The Venture Further Awards are dedicated to identifying and nurturing innovative business proposals that showcase the greatest potential for success – contributing to economic growth, social progress and sustainability. The competition spans across five categories: Healthcare, Services, Technology, Environment, and Social.

The annual competition, offering a substantial £100,000 prize fund, has seen a record-breaking number of 143 applications this year, marking a 34% increase from the previous year, showcasing a diverse range of innovative, research-informed and disruptive business ideas.

In the Environment category, we have finalists presenting various sustainable solutions. Nayab Raza's ALGAVERSE proposes low-cost, microalgae-based biomass biofertilizers for agricultural lands. OptiSpark, pitched by Timothy Capper, aims to use buildings as energy storage units. Kieron O'Sullivan's ReMake Materials is a marketplace platform connecting material suppliers with users needing leftover stock materials. Josiah Edebiri's UrbanWatt offers state-of-the-art charging stations in urban areas for low-power electric vehicles.

The Healthcare category sees innovations in medical technology and treatments. Liam Johnson's MouseAble presents a method of recording ECGs from free-moving mice without surgical implants. Steven Mayers' Zeus Biologics Ltd plans to manufacture recombinant proteins for the research market. Joel Yupanqui Mieles's biomedical engineering business offers innovative solutions for repairing and enhancing damaged skin tissues post-tattooing. Airyn by Tunde Oremulé aims to revolutionise rhinitis treatment.

The Services category features ideas targeting a wide range of sectors. Moradeke Orekoya's Skinpli plans to revolutionise the African skincare landscape with telemedicine, personalised skincare, expert guidance, and community engagement. Xiang Zheng's PurFetch is a one-stop mobile app that brings pets and pet owners together. Subodh Agarwal's TFM Overseas Education Consultants guides Indian students in pursuing master's degrees abroad. Mark Kashumba's UGAFARM aims to help African communities grow fresh, healthy food using environmentally-friendly farming techniques.

In the Social category, finalists focus on addressing critical global and local social issues. Muhammad Asad Butt's BasicX presents a revolutionary approach to address period poverty and empower women in Pakistan. Cesare Giulio Ardito's I3Italy CIC is a resource hub for Italians in England. Danielle Fatunla's The Onyx Group is a tech-based organisation for black students providing mentorship, consultancy and opportunities. Chanel Ehi-Palmer's hair care brand aims to narrow the 'texture gap' within the hair industry.

The Technology category sees Harvey Lowe's Arcube proposing customised traveller loyalty programs. Grigorii Rodionov's Flashaid is a mobile application designed to revolutionise emergency medical response. Ed Engleback's Altaia is a drone manufacturer focused on creating fully customised high-performance drones at low cost. Jakub Zemek's Aerospace Group 7 offers environmentally friendly drone solutions.

The Venture Further Awards celebrates these entrepreneurial talents and their potential to make a significant impact in their respective fields. The winners will be announced at the Venture Further Awards Dinner on Wednesday, 8 May 2024.

Our winners consistently strive to make a significant impact in their respective fields. Many have leveraged their initial success to grow into larger-scale businesses. For example, Scott Martin's venture, Re:course (AI), from our 2018 cohort, notably secured $4.3 million in seed funding last year. Also from the 2018 winners, Sid Sedhi, founder of 'Specsart', continues to innovate in the eyewear industry. His Bury-based company now ships their products worldwide. Winning the competition, he recalls, was a "turning point for Specsart,[…] one of the most important milestones in our journey".

Most recently, from our 2022 social category winners, we highlight Alternative Football. Co-founded by Beth Barnes, a PhD student from the University’s Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, the Alternative Football League (AF League) is now the North West’s only fully inclusive football league for women, non-binary and transgender individuals. UK-registered MEC supported startups have received £29.5m in equity fundraising in the last 6 months.

At the , we are the hub for all entrepreneurial activities for students, recent graduates, and staff at ��Թϱ��. Recognising the vital role of entrepreneurial skills in the modern world, our mission is to provide students with abundant opportunities that aid in gaining invaluable experience. This positions them to either secure their desired job or kick-start their own venture.

Beyond our academic programs, we offer a wide array of co-curricular activities. These include bootcamps, competitions, speaker events, workshops, and start-up support programmes. All these are aimed at students who are eager to learn, develop or launch their entrepreneurial journey. Becoming a part of our thriving entrepreneurial community.

Next round of Researcher to Innovator (R2I) launched

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 17:09:59 +0000

Following the success of the Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme inspiring early career researchers to translate research to impact we are pleased to announce the programme will be running again from April 2024.

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

MEC and Careers celebrate Self-employment Week

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 17:08:00 +0000

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) partnered with ��Թϱ�� Careers team to celebrate Self-employment Week from February 19th to 22nd, 2024. This series of events delivered a unique experience with a wealth of information, practical workshops, and networking opportunities within just a few days.

This week-long event was specifically designed for students eager to explore ways they could boost their career opportunities, especially in the realm of self-employment and entrepreneurship. This series of events was not just about imparting knowledge, but about providing a comprehensive understanding of the potential career paths that lay before students. The sessions were structured in a way that encouraged thought and discussions about the future, making one ponder the endless possibilities that stem from using an entrepreneurial mindset.

The event also catered to those who had a concept or an idea but were unsure of the next steps. The guidance and resources provided in 'Introduction to Starting a Business' were instrumental in helping students shape their ideas into actionable steps. The sessions conducted by experts in various fields gave the students the necessary tools and techniques to take their ideas forward.

One of the unique features of the week was the opportunity to learn directly from successful freelancers and individuals who are currently navigating the world of self-employment. These included a group opportunity to ask questions and learn from the fields of marketing, TV, translation, photography, journalism, and more. These interactive sessions were a treasure trove of first-hand advice and insights. Listening to their experiences and learning from their journeys was truly inspirational and provided a real-world perspective that academic resources can't always provide.

For example, certain key takeaways revolved around:

Finding niches in your desired field and re-skilling yourself to fill that gap.
The importance of building yourself up to companies.
Getting inspiration from the career path of people you follow.

Wednesday’s event provided an in-depth understanding of social enterprises. The session took us through the intricacies of what a social enterprise is and how it operates. The idea of a business that balances making profits with making a positive impact on society was thoroughly discussed, leaving students with a lot to think about. It was pleasing to see several students staying around to network with each other and asking our speaker Leigh Wharton some follow-up questions.

Another key focus of the event was on improving networking skills. The importance of a strong network in the entrepreneurial world was emphasised throughout the week. The sessions in the week aimed to equip students with the skills and confidence needed to proactively build meaningful professional connections through LinkedIn and in real-life scenarios. The 'Networking for Beginners' session delivered by Adam Taylor from the careers team was particularly helpful, offering practical tips and advice on active listening, being remembered, and understanding your personal goals to help with your networking strategy without feeling overwhelmed.

Each day of the week was filled with engaging interactions from the audience. Monday’s 'Intro to Starting a Business' delivered by Jessica Lewis-Tatton was a great way to kickstart the week, providing foundational knowledge and skills for their entrepreneurial journey. 'Meet the Freelancers' was another standout session that allowed attendees to network with current freelancers in various fields. The 'How to be a Socially Impactful Entrepreneur?' session was an eye-opener, teaching students about the importance of creating a positive social impact in their paths.

One of the standout quotes came from freelancer Tremaine Senior, “Think of the traditional jobs that you would apply for and see if there are areas or pockets that you could niche yourself into”. This statement summarises perfectly the main takeaway from the event: the importance of self-awareness in understanding your strengths and weaknesses and having a vision of where you want to get to.

In conclusion, Self-Employment Week was not just an event, but a journey that provided an incredible amount of insight and resources. It was an inspirational and educational experience that every student interested in entrepreneurship could benefit from.

Early Career Researchers contributing to the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 10:18:00 +0000

Twenty early career researchers recently completed the Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme, an exciting entrepreneurship training programme for researchers with ambitions to develop commercial ventures and create impact from their academic studies.

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 ��Թϱ�� Business School.

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 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.

Masood Entrepreneurship Centre hosts successful Start-up Bootcamps

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 16:29:00 +0000

In February, the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, in partnership with Peter Ptashko, CEO & Founder of , delivered two Startup Bootcamps, held on Saturday 3rd February and Monday 5th February. We welcomed 45 eager students/recent graduates from across ��Թϱ�� including students from School of Arts, Languages and Culture, School of Social Sciences, School of Engineering and much more; ready to embark on their entrepreneurial journey!

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!

Self-employment Week: Monday 19 - Thursday, 22 February 2024

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 17:01:39 +0000

Join the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC), in collaboration with UoM Careers, for Self-employment Week (Monday 19 to Thursday, 22 February 2024). This action-packed week aims to provide insightful resources, workshops, and networking opportunities for our students.

The week-long event is specifically curated with a focus on students who are:

Eager to explore their career opportunities in the realm of self-employment and entrepreneurship. We aim to provide them with a comprehensive understanding of their potential career paths.
Possessing an idea or concept but are unsure of the next steps. We aim to provide guidance and resources to help shape their ideas into an actionable next step.
Interested in learning directly from successful freelancers and individuals who are currently navigating the world of self-employment. We aim to offer interactive sessions where students can gain first-hand advice and insights.
Keen on delving into the intricacies of what a social enterprise is and how to be a socially impactful entrepreneur.
Looking to improve their networking skills. We understand the importance of a strong network in the entrepreneurial world, and we aim to equip our students with the skills and confidence to build meaningful professional relationships.

During the week, there are several events to get involved in:

Monday 19 February

- 13:00-14:00 (The Atrium, University Place)

This workshop is designed to equip you with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to embark on your entrepreneurial journey, whether you're interested in starting a side hustle, managing an existing one, or simply gaining insights into the inner workings of businesses to enhance your career skills.

Tuesday 20 February

- 13:00-14:00 (The Atrium, University Place)

This session will allow you to learn from and network with current freelancers in the world of marketing, TV, translation, photography, journalism and more. You will have the opportunity to explore how freelancers access work opportunities, how they organise and prioritise their workloads, as well as gaining an insight into the benefits and constraints of working in this way.

Wednesday 21 February

- 13:00-14:00 (The Atrium, University Place)

This hour-long workshop, delivered by Leigh Wharton, Director of Bubble Enterprises, teaches you all you need to know about what it means to be a socially impactful entrepreneur, not just when working for yourself but also throughout your career.

Thursday 22 February

- 13:00-14:00 (The Atrium, University Place)

In this hour-long session, we will look at how you can quickly and easily start networking without too much pressure. We will consider the best tools to use to start networking, places it can be useful to approach from a networking standpoint and how to make it work for you.

You can register for events using the hyperlinks embedded in the event titles above. Alternatively, to read more about the week and register for events, head over to the Careers page .

PitchIt! – A student societies’ entrepreneurship competition

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 09:32:39 +0000

Applications are now open for the PitchIt! competition, a dynamic collaboration between the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) and UoM’s Students’ Union. Join to elevate your society's impact with up to £1250 in funding and develop lifelong entrepreneurial skills!

In 2020, the University of ��Թϱ�� Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) and Students’ Union came together to discuss how to promote entrepreneurship and help students build an entrepreneurial mindset.

Alongside mentorship and support for students looking to launch businesses, projects, and events, an important outcome was PitchIt! - a student societies’ entrepreneurship competition.

PitchIt! is ideal for students who are driven to develop their entrepreneurial skills, strategic thinking, and network with like-minded individuals.

Societies are encouraged to form an innovative project team to develop a proposal to win up to £1,250 from a £6,000 prize pot to help support projects and initiatives that will generate income for their society and expand impact.

All societies that submit an entry must be registered with the University of ��Թϱ�� Students’ Union. These societies will benefit from a valuable Pitching workshop session, following which 10 societies will be shortlisted who will have to attend a closed ‘Practice Your Pitch’ session. The PitchIt! Finals will be an open event where our 10 finalists will face off and winners will be announced!

Do you think your society has what it takes? PitchIt!

You can find detailed information on the application criteria, competition process, key dates, FAQs and T&Cs .

Please fill out the following to submit your entry.

Venture Further Awards 2024 – Information Session 14th December

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 15:39:17 +0000

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) is pleased to announce that the is now open!

Our start-up competition has a £100,000 prize pot, where business ideas could win up to £15,000 in one of our five categories: Environment, Healthcare, Services, Social & Technology.

If you are interested in finding out more, then come along to our information session on Thursday 14th December in the Enterprise Zone (AMBS) from 5-6pm. The event will also be streamed online for those who cannot attend in person.

The Session will include a short presentation about the competition and application process, and then plenty of time for you to ask the MEC team questions.

Aren’t sure whether your idea is developed enough? Can’t decide which category your business fits into? Need help with elements of your application? Then this is the perfect event for you.

The link to book is .

If you have any questions about VFA or would like support with your application, you can book a 30 min 1-to-1 appointment with the MEC team or email venturefurther@manchester.ac.uk

Applications for VFA24 close on Thursday 22^nd February 2024 -

Bright Ideas Competition 2023 – Winners Announced!

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 15:56:00 +0000

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) is pleased to announce the success of the 2023 Bright Ideas Competition.

This year we awarded 27 Bright Ideas with funding up to £200! The Bright Ideas Judging panel were very impressed with the quality and high standard of applications this year, that saw applicants submitting one-minute videos, describing their idea.

From walking suitcases to fashion brands, compostable solutions to bottles and exhibitions about migration in ��Թϱ��, Bright Ideas this year was full of unique and diverse ideas.

Take a look at some of the winning entries below!

Seb Norman, BSc (Hons) Management, won £200 with his Fashion brand, Desguisement.

“My participation in the Bright Ideas competition challenged me to present my brand in a more formal way, forcing me to fully articulate my brand's message in as little as a few sentences, which I've had trouble with before. With this in my mind I feel more equipped to ensure future releases/media can be consistent to the brand to create a definitive image, something vital for fashion.

I see this competition as the first of many times I work with the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, as I feel they can greatly boost my skills, development and portfolio when it comes to entrepreneurship.”

Kaito Fukushima, BSc (Hons) International Business, Finance and Economics and the team won £100 with their idea U-Pillow.

"The experience I have gained during both my Bright Ideas competition in 2022 and 2023 was fascinating. Me and my teams have managed to secure a win on both competitions and we are happy to say that it helped us to develop our critical thinking skill, communication skill, leadership skill, as well as planning and presentation skill further.

Bright Ideas is a great opportunity for you to extend your business skills into further level and also a great place to show what you are capable of doing. Although this competition requires a lot of work and planning, it is definitely worth applying and it will for sure help your path to the future career."

Lesley Cheung, MA Student in Art Gallery and Museum Studies, won £200 with her idea for her exhibition “Rituals of Passage - Migratory Orbits” celebrating diverse populations in ��Թϱ��.

“I am thrilled to be awarded in the Bright Ideas Competition. The submission format of a one-minute video helped me find focus and clarity for my project idea, and I am grateful the judging panel found it promising. The recognition is an important proof-of-concept for me to turn the idea into reality and aim higher.

Thank you also to Jess who provided constructive feedback on how I could take the project further, as well as to Masood Entrepreneurship Centre for supporting and incubating our side hustles.”

Mehuli Basu, MSc Adv Computer Science, with her idea for online medical and healthcare services.

“I was overjoyed upon learning that I have been named the winner by the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre. This news absolutely made my day. The moment I saw "Congratulations, you are the winner," I couldn't contain my excitement and jumped out to call my mother in India to share the wonderful news.

Thank you immensely for this opportunity. I am eagerly looking forward to growing this venture with my friends and colleagues in ��Թϱ��.”

If you missed Bright Ideas this year, but have an idea you’d like to pursue, book an appointment with one of the MEC Team.

If your idea is more established, consider submitting your idea to our Venture Further Awards Competition for your chance to win up to £15,000 for your start-up.

Global Entrepreneurship Week - a Resounding Success

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) is thrilled to announce the resounding success of the most recent Global Entrepreneurship Week. The palpable enthusiasm and active participation of all attendees and contributors served as the cornerstone of the Week's success, leaving an indelible mark on the entrepreneurial landscape at ��Թϱ��.

Global Entrepreneurship Week is a celebration highlighting the significant role entrepreneurs play in our society. It's a chance to acknowledge the hard work, creativity, and determination these individuals put into their businesses. It's a time to recognise the resilience they show in facing business challenges and to appreciate the difference they make with their commitment and creativity. Their innovations and advancements not only drive economic growth, but also shape our future in profound ways.

The week was brimming with enlightening talks, engaging workshops, and valuable networking opportunities. The exchange of innovative ideas and the genesis of new collaborations promise to drive entrepreneurship to unprecedented heights, marking a significant milestone in MEC's journey.

We would like to extend special gratitude to the speakers who generously shared their valuable time, extensive knowledge, and personal experiences. The insights and advice shared have been invaluable, significantly benefiting all participants. Additionally, the tireless efforts of MEC's diligent staff ensured the smooth execution of over 10 events, which had more than 100 in-person attendees. Their dedication and unwavering commitment played a crucial role in the Week's overall success.

Events included the following talks and workshops:

Matthew Scullion, CEO of Matillion
In Conversation with David Levine, CEO of Glenluna Ventures
Intro to Starting a Business Workshop
Emma Jones CBE, founder of Enterprise Nation
Your Next Move...Sport Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise with Beth Barnes
Personal Branding 101 Workshop
ElevateX: Student Startup Sprint Workshop by Accelerate ME
Building a Startup Step by Step - with Ash Rust

Lastly, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our student group partners such as TEDx University of ��Թϱ�� and Accelerate Me. Their unwavering support underscores their commitment to fostering a vibrant and thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our collaboration with TEDx University of ��Թϱ�� for their successful event ‘Catalytic Continuum’ showcased six inspiring speakers who sought to motivate the student audience with their own personal journeys. Among them was Prithveesh Reddy, co-founder and CEO of Arcube, who remains in close contact with MEC regarding his rapidly growing tech startup in ��Թϱ��.

The standout feature of this week was undoubtedly the high level of participation we witnessed during our in-person sessions. Seeing the enthusiasm and active involvement from the participants was a genuinely inspiring experience. This level of engagement not only exceeded our expectations but also gave us valuable insights and feedback. It has also contributed significantly to shaping our approach for future events. The successful interaction and exchange of ideas have given us a clear vision of what to aspire to in our forthcoming sessions and events.

MEC is immensely grateful for the widespread participation and support received and eagerly looks forward to welcoming everyone back at future events. We remain committed to promoting the entrepreneurial spirit and fostering innovation within our community.

Masood Entrepreneurship Centre presents Global Entrepreneurship Week 2023

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 14:34:30 +0000

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) will be hosting a series of events in celebration of the upcoming Global Entrepreneurship Week on 13th -17th November.

This exciting initiative promises to provide a golden opportunity for students to engage with the entrepreneurial community, learn from seasoned business leaders, become more employable and hone their own entrepreneurial skills.

Throughout the week, MEC has organised various workshops, panel discussions, and networking events. These activities will cover a broad range of topics designed to inspire and empower budding entrepreneurs, including strategies for fundraising and business model development.

This initiative by the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre is a testament to its commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial spirit among its students. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply interested in improving on your current skills, these events promise to be both informative and inspiring.

Details about the schedule of events and the registration process can be seen below:

Monday:
- MEC GEW2023 Launch with Matthew Scullion of Matillion (Online and in-person)
Tuesday:
- In Conversation with David Levine, CEO of Glenluna Ventures (Online and in-person)
Wednesday:
- MECitHappen Workshop - Intro to Starting a Business (In-person)
Thursday:
- Entrepreneurs@MCR - Emma Jones CBE, Founder of Enterprise Nation (Online and in-person)
- Your Next Move…Sport: Entrepreneurship & Social Enterprise panel discussion (In-person)
Friday:
- MECitHappen Workshop - Personal Branding 101 (In-person)
- Elevate X: Student Startup Sprint - Workshop by Accelerate Me (In-person)
- Building a Startup Step by Step - with Ash Rust of Sterling Road VC (Online and in-person)

More information about the events, locations and registration can be found .

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre encourages all interested individuals to take advantage of this unique opportunity. Stay tuned on our social media channels to catch a glimpse on this exciting week of entrepreneurial exploration and learning.

Researcher to Innovator (R2I) 2023- Joining the programme

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 16:25:30 +0100

Following a series of Introductory Sessions the R2I programme is now open for applications.

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

Joining the program

Individuals, or groups of researchers, can now apply to join the programme.

The deadline for submissions is 30^th October 2023.

A selection panel 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 no later than 6^th November 2023.

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

- Don't miss this opportunity, complete the application form by 30^th October 2023.

Researcher to Innovator (R2I) 2023-24 - Information Sessions 18th-19th Oct

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 08:33:48 +0100

The hugely successful Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme inspiring early career researchers to translate research to impact is back for 2023-24.

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

Semester 1:

Introductory Sessions: In person and online across 18th and 19th October
Applications Open: 19^th October
Application Deadline: 30^th October
Programme: 16th November 2023 - 19th February 2024

Semester 2:

Information Sessions: April 2024
Programme: March 2024 - June 2024

Kick off your entrepreneurial journey with the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 14:42:49 +0100

Welcome to the 23/24 academic year!

We are the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC), the main hub for enterprise and entrepreneurship at ��Թϱ��. Our goal is to help students like you understand the importance of entrepreneurial skills in today's world, and to provide you with numerous opportunities to gain valuable experience that will help you to spot opportunities, fast-track your career and secure your desired job, innovate and develop new projects or launch your own business.

We're passionate about creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem that nurtures the next generation of outstanding innovators and supports the development of start-up businesses that benefit both the economy and society worldwide. We're here to add value to your experience of being part of ��Թϱ��, and to encourage and support you in creating your future and making a difference.

In addition to our extensive range of (the majority of which are open electives available to all students), we offer a range of extracurricular activities that we think you'll gain a lot of value from, especially in terms of building your confidence and developing your networks. These include competitions (with total awards exceeding £180,000 per annum), speaker events and interactions with leading entrepreneurs, workshops, and start-up support programs for students who have ambitions to learn or launch their ideas. We can't wait to see what you'll achieve!

You can find us in the following locations during Welcome Week:

Monday 18 September - Stopford Building (9am-12pm); Humanities Bridgeford Street Building (1-4pm)
Tuesday 19 September - Stopford Building (9am-12pm); Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School Fair (1-4pm)
Wednesday 20 September - SU Fair (10am-4pm)
Thursday 21 September SU Fair (10am-4pm)
Friday 22 September - ��Թϱ�� Engineering Campus Development (MECD) Community Fair (1-4pm)

We'd love to meet you at our stalls and share more about the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre!

If you’re passionate about entrepreneurship, we’re also recruiting for our Entrepreneurship Champions role,

The MEC Team 🐝&�Բ��;

Arcube partners with Etihad Airways to launch a new NFT collection and Etihad "Horizon Club"

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 16:04:00 +0100

Arcube and Etihad extend their partnership for new NFT collection and Staking-for-miles pilot for NFT holders.

Following the successful launch of the EY-ZERO1 NFT collection in July 2022, Etihad Airways has extended its partnership with Arcube to add a new livery to its NFT collection, as well as development of an industry-first "Staking-for-miles" platform.

The upcoming livery will be themed after the partnership between Etihad Airways and Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One. The original EY-ZERO1 collection featured exclusive benefits to buyers, including Etihad Silver Tier status for 12 months, access to a NFT holders' event at the Formula 1 at Yas Marina Circuit, and participation in Etihad's exclusive online community discussion forums.

For the latest Mission: Impossible livery NFT, Etihad are providing even more benefits to the limited 300-piece issue. As before, members can enjoy 12-month Etihad Silver Tier promotion, which includes priority check-in, 25% extra Etihad Guest Miles, lounge access at Abu Dhabi International, and more. Additionally, buyers will be granted membership to the Etihad: Virtual Club, which provides an additional 10% extra miles, a fast-track promotion from Silver to Gold Tier for 6 months, and a customised Etihad membership card for online and app use.

Holders will also receive added benefits with the Etihad "Staking-for-miles" programme, branded the Etihad "Horizon Club". Arcube is working closely with Etihad to develop this program, set to launch in September 2023. NFT owners will have the opportunity to lock up their NFTs and earn Etihad Guest miles. This platform represents a world-first using NFTs to personalise traveller's digital experience with Etihad, where holders can explore their 3D NFT, benefits, and stay up-to-date on Etihad's web3 initiatives. Miles earned in the programme can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other exciting rewards.

Arcube plans to extend this blockchain-based loyalty and digital engagement platform to other airlines and companies in the hospitality and travel sectors, reimagining loyalty programs from the ground up.

The new 300-piece Etihad NFT collection will be available to public for sale from 1^st August 3:00 pm UTC on

Stay connected with Arcube's and Etihad's dedicated NFT Twitter account () (), for the latest updates and information.

��Թϱ�� start-up set to launch clinical trials for lung cancer detection

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 15:57:00 +0100

��Թϱ�� MedTech company Averywell is set to start UK clinical trials on a ground breaking early detection test for lung cancer later this year.

Averywell has developed a proprietary technology to detect microRNA biomarkers at the early onset of lung cancer – attracting attention from the global scientific community.

More than 75% of UK lung cancer patients are still being diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease.

The mirLung Dx lung cancer detector is the brainchild of Dr Cherry Na Yu Chia who launched her start-up after her studies at ��Թϱ�� and with the help of the at the Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School.

Dr Chia, founder and CEO of Averywell, said: “This test is a game changer for the millions of people around the world who hear the devastating words ‘you may have lung cancer’ every year. The current test for lung cancer is expensive, not 100% accurate and involves invasive procedures.

“Averywell is a patient-centric company and our vision is to make picking up lung cancer, in its early stages, easy, painless and convenient.

“Patients will be able to collect their own blood and send it back to us for testing. The convenience of a simple blood test aims to encourage regularly testing so cancer can be spotted early because when the cancer isn't too large and hasn't spread, it is more likely to be treated successfully.”

These include:

·&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; Securing laboratory space, mentoring and business support after Averywell was one of the top 10 global winners of the 2022 Innovation Forum life sciences accelerator programme.

·&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; Winning first prize on the Alderley Park Accelerator Programme, in Cheshire.

·&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; Joining the Barclays Eagle Labs business support programme.

·&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; Winning the MedTech and HealthTech category at the 2023 North West Start Up Awards.

·&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; Joining the Royal Academy of Engineering regional talent engine programme – a six-month pre-accelerator programme for early-stage founders.

She said: “Being nominated, shortlisted and winning awards and prizes on accelerator programmes is really tangible and motivating to a scientist like me. It feels like our aim of having our mirLung Dx lung cancer detector device in the hands of clinicians is getting closer and closer.

“We’ve developed a product that people need and want and everyone we speak to about the technology is very excited by it. Potential customers – such as public and private clinical laboratories - are interested in it but investors have also really bought into it and want to be part of Averywell as it grows.

“The aim is to get investment and start clinical trials in the UK before the end of the year. We need institutional and other professional investors in order to take it to the next level.”

Dr Laura Etchells, Enterprise Development Manager, Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, said: “Having supported Dr Chia on her entrepreneurial journey we’re delighted to see Averywell going from strength to strength and wish Cherry and all the Averywell team every success as they embark on the next stage of further growth and development.”

To find out more visit www.averywell.com.

Winners announced for the 2023 Harari Graphene Enterprise Award

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 15:31:04 +0100

The , in association with Nobel Laureate Professor Sir Andre Geim, is awarded each year to help the implementation of commercially-viable business proposals from our students, post-doctoral researchers and recent graduates, based on developing the commercial prospects of graphene and other 2D materials.

Firstly the assembled finalists and guests heard from Physics alumnus and founder of global flash-memory giant SanDisk, Dr. Eli Harari, who joined the awards event as a guest speaker, live from the USA. He described the aim of the competition, since it started in 2013, to encourage students, researchers and visionaries toward innovation and risk taking.

Eli Harari Graphene Enterprise Award Winners

The award winners were announced and presentations made by chair of the judging panel Professor Luke Georghiou, Deputy-President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, ��Թϱ��.

First prize of £50,000 was awarded to Liam Johnson, Ph.D. Student (Engineering) and his team (Ed Hayter) who are manufacturing the first on-skin device for wirelessly monitoring the cardiovascular activity of free-moving mice (using electrocardiography, or ECG).

Professor Luke Georghiou presenting first prize to Ed Hayter.

MouseAble will use screen printable graphene inks to engineer an on-skin, wireless ECG sensor for laboratory mice. This device would reduce animal burden and allow ECG acquisition immediately without need for recovery or invasive surgery. A non-invasive device will also enable the collection of better quality data, as removing the burden of an implant may reduce animal stress and the impact this has on the results. By providing a faster, more humane method of collecting data a non-invasive system could offer researchers freedom to be more ambitious with their experimental plans.

In second place and claiming the £20,000 prize was Aayush Chadha, Ph.D. Student (Graphene NOWNANO CDT) with Eye Venture, aiming to manufacture smart contact lens systems using 2D materials in order to deliver unobtrusive detection and monitoring of ocular and systemic diseases (glaucoma and certain types of neurodegeneration) which pose high social and economical costs.

This year again saw the inclusion of an additional prize that celebrates the University's position leading the world on sustainable development. The winners of the £10,000 Eli Harari Sustainability award were Dinara Mangusheva, undergraduate student (Biomedical Science) and team (Luke Marden, Atif Riaz, Izehiuwa Ehimatie) with Aqua Catalysis. This venture aims to enhance the treatment of industrial wastewater by refining existing technologies and boosting photocatalysts through UV absorption.

Introducing the Eli Harari Graphene Enterprise Award 2023 Finalists

The three winning teams were selected by a panel of professional judges from a shortlist of five finalists all seeking to secure funding to drive their ideas forward. Watch the video to find out more.

The award is co-funded by the North American Foundation for ��Թϱ�� through the support of Dr. Eli Harari and his wife, Britt. 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 and 2D materials.

Innovation and Commercialisation of Research Programme - Open for Applications

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 16:54:46 +0100

In this 10-week programme, you will apply entrepreneurial thinking to develop a commercialisation idea based on your own area of research.

The programme examines the various aspects of the commercialisation of research and is very much project-based; allowing you to develop commercialisation ideas based on your own area of research. You will evaluate first-hand the business opportunity, developing a commercial business case based on the idea; and then prepare a 5 minute pitch and a business proposal canvas.

The programme includes a series of lectures along with study group tutorial sessions. There are also follow on sessions and events to outline the opportunities available for you particularly if you wish to take the idea forward to the next stage.

Join the programme this autumn to;

develop commercial awareness;
enhance communication skills;
boost confidence and;
strengthen your CV.

Delivery format: In person and online

Semester 1 Cohort Start Date: 27 September 2023 (over 10 weeks, Wednesday 10am. – 12pm.)

Download the now to secure your place.

Discover more about MEC Researcher Training .

Masood Entrepreneurship Centre Annual Summer Showcase: Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindset and Celebrating Student Experience

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 16:21:00 +0100

In June, the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) held its highly anticipated Annual Summer Showcase, an event dedicated to celebrating the transformative power of entrepreneurship and the invaluable impact it has on students' personal and professional development.

The Annual Showcase commenced with an atmosphere of excitement and inspiration as attendees from various academic disciplines and backgrounds gathered to witness a collective commitment to fostering innovation and cultivating entrepreneurial spirit.

The event featured an array of inspiring speakers, including students and recent graduates, who shared their valuable insights and experiences, shedding light on the importance of community, employability skills, and the profound benefits of taking part in entrepreneurial initiatives.

Yair Sakov, Founder and Managing Director of Tel Aviv University's Entrepreneurship Centre, shared some impressive milestone achievements in establishing the Centre and how these have profoundly benefited both his students and the institution. His inspiring presentation delved into the evolution of entrepreneurship as a pivotal life skill and mind-set, drawing parallels to the process of learning an instrument or creating art, emphasizing the gradual development and cultivation of this essential trait.

Professor Luke Georghiou, Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of ��Թϱ��, spoke of the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation for student experience and career development whilst at university, recognising their key role in the City’s entrepreneurial eco-system.

Caroline Everson, Careers Manager for the Faculty of Humanities at the University of ��Թϱ��, addressed the vital role of enterprise as a key employability skill. She emphasised how entrepreneurial thinking is highly valued and sought after by graduate employers, positioning students for future success.

The event also provided an excellent opportunity for teaching and learning staff from various departments and schools across the university to join the MEC Community of Interest. These colleagues enthusiastically championed the value of entrepreneurial learning and pledged their support in ensuring that enterprise and entrepreneurship programmes are accessible for all students across the campus.

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre's Social Enterprise Discovery Bootcamp: Nurturing Innovators and Changemakers for a Sustainable Future

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 16:10:00 +0100

The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) is proud to announce the successful completion of its first Social Enterprise Discovery Bootcamp, an empowering and transformative program designed to foster the next generation of socially conscious entrepreneurs and changemakers. This socially engaged learning initiative took place over the 21^st and 22^nd of June, bringing together aspiring entrepreneurs from diverse interdisciplinary backgrounds to explore how to bring innovative solutions to some of society's most pressing challenges.

The Social Enterprise Discovery Bootcamp brought together students from across each Faculty at the University of ��Թϱ��, demonstrating MEC's unwavering commitment to driving positive social impact through entrepreneurship. This year's program witnessed a remarkable influx of talent and creativity, further solidifying the centre's position as a leader in promoting sustainable business practices and fostering a culture of responsible innovation.

Throughout the intensive 1.5-day programme, participants engaged in a series of hands-on workshops, mentoring sessions, and team-based activities, which challenged them to think beyond traditional business models. The bootcamp encouraged a broader perspective, encouraging participants to explore the intersection of profit and purpose, aiming to create businesses that can make a genuine difference in the world.

Key highlights of the Social Enterprise Discovery Bootcamp included:

·&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; Inspirational Speakers: attendees heard from , social business coach, and MEC Social Enterprise Ambassador , Social Entrepreneur and visiting lecturer at Alliance ��Թϱ�� Business School. Further insights were provided by , who recently co-founded the ground-breaking new charitable funding platform .

·&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; Collaborative Learning: Participants collaborated in interdisciplinary teams, fostering a dynamic environment where diverse perspectives merged to generate new ideas and solutions.

·&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; Sustainable Business Models: The bootcamp emphasised the importance of incorporating sustainable practices, inspiring participants to create businesses that have a positive impact on both people and the planet.

·&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; Mentorship and Guidance: all attendees have benefitted from ongoing personalised guidance to nurture their entrepreneurial aspirations.

As participants immersed themselves in the challenges faced by real-life social enterprises, they were tasked with devising viable business plans to address pressing social and environmental issues. Anika Dubey, programme attendee and MSc International Development student, shared her feedback: “From business planning and the Social Business Model Canvas to perfecting pitches and writing compelling proposals, we honed our skills and received valuable feedback from peers. I'm grateful for the supportive environment fostered by the bootcamp.”

Meanwhile, fellow attendee Kexin Zhang, MA English Literature & American Studies student, reflects: “The bootcamp has ignited my passion for social entrepreneurship and equipped me with valuable tools and knowledge to create positive change.”

MEC’s Social Enterprise Discovery Bootcamp has proven to be a steppingstone for visionary entrepreneurs who aspire to redefine the landscape of business for a brighter and more sustainable future. The centre's dedication to fostering innovation and empowering individuals to create meaningful social impact remains unwavering.

"We are immensely proud of the remarkable talent and dedication demonstrated by all the participants in this year's Social Enterprise Discovery Bootcamp," said Lucy Hutchinson, Community Development Manager at MEC. "The ideas and solutions they've generated showcase the potential of entrepreneurship to drive positive change in our society. As a centre, we remain committed to supporting these aspiring changemakers as they continue on their journey to create businesses that make a lasting difference."

About the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC): MEC is a leading hub for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship at the intersection of profit and purpose. Dedicated to nurturing the next generation of socially conscious entrepreneurs, the centre welcomes all students, staff, and graduates from the University of ��Թϱ��.

Early career researchers receive funding and support to develop their research into a successful venture

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 15:16:01 +0100

A group of researchers from the University recently completed the fourth cohort of the Innovation Academy programme, an exciting entrepreneurship training programme for early career researchers with ambitions to develop commercial ventures and create impact from their academic studies.

The programme, developed by the , was originally launched in the current format in October 2021 by Professor Martin Schroeder, Vice-President and Dean, Faculty of Science and Engineering.

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 science and ideas by taking them through a lean start-up technology pathway to explore the potential of their ideas.

To complete the programme, participating researchers then made their final pitches to a panel of entrepreneurs, funders and experts with experience across the science and commercial development landscape.

Lynn Sheppard, Director of the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, presented Innovation Enabling Awards to two of the projects.

Award Winners

Innovation Enabling Award: £10,000

MouseAble - wireless, skin-mounted electrophysiology sensor for mice.
Liam Johnson (School of Engineering).

Innovation Enabling Award: £5,000

Smart Materials for Rapid Authentication Technology
Alexander Romanov and Alexander Brannan (School of Natural Sciences).

The award winners will also receive expert support and onward access to places on regional and national accelerator programmes and all the participants on the programme may receive mentorship and guidance from Faculty Innovation Champions and internal professional support teams, including the opportunity to build relationships with the and the .

The Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme programme has been co-ordinated through the Innovation Academy, which is an umbrella initiative and joint venture between the FSE 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.

Newsroom University of �������Թϱ���

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More information about winners

Environment Category Winners

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Faculty Representation

About the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre

More Information

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Six researchers secure funding through the MEC Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme to boost the development of their commercial ideas.

�������Թϱ���-based Tech startup Arcube secures $1.5m in seed funding

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Early career researchers receive funding and support to develop their research into a successful venture

Award Winners

Innovation Enabling Award: £10,000

Innovation Enabling Award: £5,000

Newsroom University of ��Թϱ��

��Թϱ�� Students Unite to Tackle Climate Solutions

��Թϱ�� Students Take Their First Steps to Becoming Entrepreneurs at Startup Weekend 2025

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Donor-funded Ideas with Impact Awards support budding founders at ��Թϱ��

��Թϱ��'s First Venture Builder Programme Cohort Reaches Milestone

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Students Tackle Real-World Problems in ��Թϱ�� Enterprise Challenge

��Թϱ��-based Tech startup Arcube secures $1.5m in seed funding

��Թϱ�� start-up set to launch clinical trials for lung cancer detection