The University's Business Engagement Knowledge Exchange Team in collaboration with UMI3 Ltd are hosting their first commercialisation event, CONNECTED.
It will provide personal insights on the commercialisation journey from forming an initial business idea, to scale-up and acquiring investment.
This session also provides the opportunity to connect with key individuals from BEKE, UMI3 Ltd, local companies and business support intermediaries in an informal setting with the aim of dispelling some of the assumptions around Intellectual Property. It is hoped attendees, both innovating firms and entrepreneurial academics will gain guidance that can help them create a competitive edge.
The event, funded by the University, is free for University academics with meals and drinks provided.
The evening will offer opportunities to network with key figures from the university, industry and investors.
Among the speakers will be Ashwin Kumaraswamy, a vibrant Investment Director from Mercia Technologies, the CEO of Grafine, Maria Iliut, plus the founder of Cloudwater Brewery, Paul Jones. Paul and his team will talk you through a selection of their finest beers, soundtracked by a live harp-led ensemble. Finally, well-known Manchester entrepreneur, Vikas Shah, will be telling us about his extraordinary paths to success and what he's learnt along the way.
A shuttle bus to and from the venue will be available (Pick up @ 4.20pm from Dover Street. Returns @ 8pm). Indicate on the registration form if you would like a space!
Registration is necessary at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/connected-at-cloudwater-brewery-tickets-66459597445
AGENDA
16.45 Welcome - Andy Wilkinson, Chief Executive, UMI³ Ltd
17:00 Paul Jones, Founder of Cloudwater Brewery – Paul will share an insight into Cloudwater’s growth journey and interaction with the University of Manchester leading to a KTP project to improve spontaneous fermentations and develop new products with novel yeast strains led by Professor Daniela Delneri, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology.
17:30 Dr Maria Iliut, CEO of Grafine Ltd - Grafine is a very exciting university spin-out company founded by academics Dr Maria Iliut and Dr Aravind Vijayaraghavan. Dr Iliut will share her experiences and journey from business conception to revenue generation and establishment of a R&D facility.
18.00 Ashwin Kumaraswamy, Investment Director, Mercia Asset Management PLC – Mercia is an investment group building, funding and commercialising technology businesses across the UK. Ashwin will share his experience creating venture-backed businesses
18:30 Refreshment break - Food, Networking & Music provided by harp-led ensemble, The Maddie Herbert Trio.
19.15 Key Note: Vikas Shah MBE, Managing Director of Swiscot Group, a Manchester based textiles and commodities trading firm and one of the UK’s highest profile entrepreneurs and business commentators. He holds a Professorship at MIT Sloan (The Lisbon MBA), and is an Honorary Professor at University of Manchester. Vikas will be sharing his path to success and lessons learnt along the way.
19.30 Closing remarks - Andy Wilkinson with opportunity for Q&A and continued networking.
20.00 CLOSE
