Issue link: https://htpgraphics.uberflip.com/i/768723
The Innovation Optimiser, developed by UMIP, to complement its IP Commercialisation activity, encourages and inspires more people to turn science-based research into successful commercial businesses. As part of the Innovation Optimiser process, staff and students sign up to the signature workshop programme Roadmap. So far 18 of the 80 'trainee entrepreneurs' referred have expressed interest in developing a start-up, after completing the scheme. Tony Walker, Director of the Innovation Optimiser, said external start-up experts such as Ian Brookes of DNAPeople and communication expert – and onetime standup comedian – Ashley Boroda have been integral to the programme so far. He said: "We are delighted that the Innovation Optimiser has successfully completed its first pilot year. "We introduced the concept to encourage and inspire more people to turn their ideas into reality and are working closely with Manchester Enterprise Centre supporting student entrepreneurs. "Academic, staff and research student innovators can have a profound impact on society and we're privileged to work with them to bring their ideas to fruition." He added: "We have communication expert Ashley Boroda on board, who teaches people how to articulate their ideas and communicate them in a fun way. "That helps the whole process become a blended learning experience as it improves the individuals' ideas and helps them develop skills as well. You no doubt know every part of your project and business, but sometimes, being able to explain it in layman's terms to people who are non-technical, is the hardest part." The programme – which has just seen a fresh batch of students and academics enroll on it – also features a series of half-day workshops over five months covering everything from balancing academia and entrepreneurship to launching an enterprise. Tony believes it's increasingly important that research students have the ability to develop their own business, and be more entrepreneurial with science. He also said he's tried to build the scheme 'with a particular Manchester outcome in mind'. "We are very happy that 80 people engaged with the programme in its first year," he said."Maximum Wind Ltd, ViewitUK Ltd and Affigo C.I.C are some of the success stories so far. "Two postgraduates started Maximum Wind, which estimates the best place to put wind turbines to maximise their use. ViewitUK focusses on healthcare in a better and more meaningful way allowing users to map and monitor whether treatment is effective in areas like alcoholism, gambling and drugs. "Affigo is an app that helps people with mental health problems gain a clear indication of how they are feeling. It can also help health professionals. It aims to prevent relapse by tracking people's mood." He added: "All the businesses that push on to the next level are often helped by an external entrepreneur, some of whom become collective shareholders in the businesses they help. "All of it is helping us as there's a wave of researchers, staff and students wanting to be entrepreneurs and masters of their own destiny or aiming to push their research into practical impact. We want more people to keep coming in to the programme now, as those people who progress are the ones who drive growth in the city by creating jobs and making social change for good. "We will continue to do what we are good at, which is looking at the idea, assessing it and seeing if it's got commercial or social potential and adding value to that. "We will look to engage with 100 people over the next 12 months. To me though it's more about developing the right individuals who can create long term outcomes from our fantastic research base."