Issue link: https://htpgraphics.uberflip.com/i/1055210
MOMENTUM To date the Innovation Optimiser has progressed over 20 companies into the Momentum phase of support, accessing a start-up award of £5,000 and a 12-month bespoke package of mentoring and support. UMIP's Innovation Optimiser empowers University of Manchester based innovators to create over 20 new start- up businesses since 2015. To celebrate this success the Innovation Optimiser Showcase event was hosted over the summer highlighting the fantastic businesses and innovations coming out of the University. Over 100 entrepreneurs, colleagues from the University and wider support partners gathered at the Showcase to learn how the Innovation Optimiser has supported and nurtured new businesses being developed by staff, academics and research students. Professor Luke Georghiou, Deputy President & Deputy Vice-Chancellor, spoke at the event, emphasising the importance of supporting staff, academics and research students who may have an idea for a commercial start-up or social enterprise. Speaking after the Showcase, Tony Walker, Director of Innovation Optimiser commented: "The Innovation Optimiser Showcase 2018 very much highlighted some of the fantastic businesses and innovations being developed by staff, academics and research students at the University. It's now about going from strength to strength and building on the partnerships we have created including with Business Growth Hub, dwf, Manchester Enterprise Centre, TiE Global and many more, and continuing to engage with active entrepreneurs across the campus who we may be able to support through our Ignition, Roadmap, Momentum and Spotlight programmes." Showcase 2018