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This funding is not intended for research but to answer key technical or commercial questions with the aim of building a commercial case for further investment. The University partnership model is fundamental to the IP Group approach. In 2013 we signed a seminal agreement with The University of Manchester, allowing access to the University's thriving research community. The University has an international research reputation, which is reflected in success at securing external research funding – over £280M during 2012 to 2013. This research strength at the University correlates with a long and successful history in commercial exploitation, which includes over one hundred portfolio companies including graphene spin-out 2-DTech (recently acquired by Versarien plc) and Nanoco Group plc. The research profile is an obvious reason why we were keen to enter into a relationship with the University, but the commercial potential of this can only be realised by working with an expert, effective and enthusiastic technology transfer organisation. The UMIP team provide this. They have great working relationships with academics at the University and a clear commercialisation process, which relies on understanding both the technical and commercial aspects of an opportunity at an early stage, and bringing in industry experts. This aligns with our way of working, mitigating risk to help bridge the valley of death. IP Group has a £7.5M Proof-of-Principle fund for innovations developed at the University. This fund is targeted to all sectors (with the exception of therapeutics) and recently the remit was increased to also cover graphene opportunities. Three innovative early-stage projects have already been supported. Dr Max Migliorato from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering has secured investment for a graphene project. Professor Rob Dryfe from the School of Chemistry has secured investment to look at a novel method of making graphene films and is working with graphene experts from IP Group (Dr Achim Hoffmann) and MTI Ventures (Dr Mark Rahn). Dr Emad Alsusa and Dr Wahyu Pramudito from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering were successful with their project to progress a femtocell communications technology and are working with Dr Mark Reilly from IP Group, who has a strong back ground in communications technologies, and UMIP's Dr Leanne Burgin. We are actively looking for new opportunities to fund and support and academics at the University who have a novel technology should speak to their research area specific UMIP commercialisation executive if they would like to get in touch. Working with UMIP and the University, we hope to play a part in building the innovation economy and, in the process of doing this, help academic founders realise their aspirations of turning their world class research into a commercial reality. UMIC ® UMIP ® UMI 3 5

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