Newsroom University of Manchester

75 years on from the 'Turing Test', �� leads the way in AI research and innovation

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 15:14:30 +0100

75 years after the publication of Alan Turing’s seminal paper Computing Machinery and Intelligence, �� now sits at the centre of a 1,600-strong community of researchers who are shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI).

Published in 1950 during Turing’s time as an academic at ��, the paper was one of the first on artificial intelligence. It was in this paper that he established the Turing Test, also known as the Imitation Game, posing the question that would shape the modern world: “Can machines think?”

Today, more than 1,600 �� researchers are designing and applying AI to tackle global challenges, transform industries, enhance public services, and improve lives. From advancing breast cancer treatment and improving menopause care to transforming crop productivity in Ghana and tackling online misogyny, �� researchers are using AI to deliver positive change for society and the environment.

To enable this, the University has invested in a world-leading research environment, creating an AI research ecosystem that supports research excellence and accelerates the journey to real-world impact. Capabilities span from the , driving the breakthroughs of tomorrow, to two dedicated units fuelling innovation - the part of , which connect partners to the University’s world-famous talent, ideas and resources.

Professor Jay adds: “We believe AI should deliver real benefits to business, public services and society. That’s why we’re continually investing in the people, partnerships and platforms that turn bold ideas into transformative outcomes.

“In every thriving AI ecosystem, there’s a university at its heart. We’re proud to shape the future of AI – for ��, the UK and the world.”

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University of Manchester ranks among top universities for research partnerships in Knowledge Exchange Framework

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 14:08:55 +0100

�� is one of the leading universities in England for research partnerships, IP and commercialisation, and public and community engagement, according to the results of the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF5).

Published by Research England, the KEF provides information about the knowledge exchange activities of English higher education (HE) providers, such as the ways universities work with external partners like businesses and community groups for the benefit of the economy and society.

The data, available on the , informs seven perspectives that look at the performance of English HE providers across a variety of knowledge exchange criteria that are aligned with key government priorities.

The KEF allows universities to better understand their own performance and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. HE providers are placed into clusters of peers with similar characteristics, with �� placed in Cluster ‘V’ (very large, research-intensive universities) with 17 peer universities.

The University has again received the highest rating for Research Partnerships and is placed above its cluster group average. It also received a high engagement rating for Working with Business, which recognises the work of the University’s Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange team.

The University’s performance is underlined by its 5^th place ranking in the UK for industry research funding, with the most recent results showing 19% growth against the backdrop of a 0.2% contraction across the sector.

Professor Richard Jones, Vice President Regional Innovation and Civic Engagement said: “This year’s KEF results highlight the multiple ways by which �� engages with businesses and communities – through our growing volume of business engagements, our strong spin-out performance, and our outstanding work in public engagement. The University is deeply committed to its role in the service of our city and nation, and will build on these strong results in the future.”

One example of impactful research collaboration is the University’s partnership with Saraco Industries which has led to the development of a world-first plastic free, biodegradable clinical disinfection wipe. Saraco estimated that this first-to-market product innovation opened a £140m market opportunity, and it won the 2024 Bionow ‘Project of the Year’ award.

KEF results show that �� is also one of the best universities in England for IP and commercialisation. The excellent performance of the in licensing, IP income, investment and turnover of spinouts continues to be recognised with the highest rating in IP and Commercialisation.

This performance is confirmed by the newly published where the University is ranked 4^th in the Russell Group for spinout company creation. One recent spinout example is , which secured significant investment to rapidly scale up and commercially deploy its technology to deliver sustainable, low-cost, high-yield mineral recovery systems. The University’s performance in Student and Graduate Startups and CPD, which is supported by the work within the and , repeated last year’s enhanced rating of high engagement in KEF4, continuing to place the University above its cluster group average.

A Venture Further Awards Winner, Patrick Sarsfield, from the School of Natural Sciences (SNS) and a Researcher in Graphene NOWNANO CDT, is the founder of Graphene Thermal, a start-up developing graphene-based thermal solutions. He has received significant recognition for his work, including the Eli and Britt Harari Award in 2025, which supports the commercialisation of graphene-related ventures.

The University also received the highest rating for Public Engagement, above its peer group average, and includes our achievements in volunteering, festivals, mutual partnerships, policy engagement, and engagement with communities through the University’s cultural institutions, Jodrell Bank, John Rylands Research Institute and Library, �� Museum and the Whitworth Art Gallery.

You can view each university’s performances on the .

Surgeon and academic leader Professor Ashley Blom joins the Board of Innovation Factory

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 13:25:37 +0100

Professor Ashley Blom, an internationally recognised orthopaedic surgeon and academic leader, has joined the Board of Manchester .

His appointment brings extensive expertise in musculoskeletal health, clinical innovation and higher education leadership to the University’s technology transfer company, which is responsible for transforming pioneering research into commercial opportunities.

Professor Blom is Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at ��. He is ranked among the world’s top ten experts in arthroplasty research and has played a central role in developing and analysing the National Joint Registry, the largest database of its kind globally.

A Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, an NIHR Senior Investigator and a past President of the European Orthopaedic Research Society, he has advised governments and professional bodies internationally and continues to lead influential research shaping clinical practice and health policy.

�� Innovation Factory leads the commercialisation of the University’s research, supporting academics to protect intellectual property, create spinout companies and establish licensing partnerships.

Over the past decade, the Innovation Factory has formed more than 120 spinout companies, raised over £100 million in external investment and created more than 1,200 high-value jobs, making it one of the UK’s most active university technology transfer organisations.

Professor Blom commented: “It is a privilege to join the Board of the Innovation Factory. �� has a world-class research base, and the Innovation Factory plays a vital role in turning discovery into innovation. I look forward to supporting the next generation of researchers and entrepreneurs as they take their ideas forward to create impact through partnerships, products and spinouts.”

Professor Blom’s appointment underlines the Innovation Factory’s commitment to strong leadership, strategic growth and excellence in research translation, building on ��’s reputation as one of the UK’s leading centres for innovation and commercialisation.

Innovation and civic engagement the focus for new senior appointment

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0100

Following an extensive recruitment process, Professor John Holden has been appointed as Vice-President for Civic Engagement and Innovation. His appointment follows the retirement of Professor Richard Jones.

John will sit on the University Executive with responsibility for driving ��’s strategic agenda across civic engagement and innovation, working in partnership with local, regional and national stakeholders, and across the full breadth of our university community.

John brings extensive experience in strategic leadership across higher education, national and local government, and industry. In his current role as Associate Vice President for Major Special Projects at ��, he has played lead roles in delivering key initiatives, including the establishment of the UK’s , the relocation of the UK Biobank to the Oxford Road Corridor, and the creation of the Turing Innovation Catalyst. He was the University’s lead in establishing Sister, the 20-year project to build a new innovation district on the former North Campus.

In 2024, he co-led the University’s Regional Innovation Review and played a pivotal role in the creation of , the University’s new dedicated innovation arm launched to unlock the University’s full potential as the region’s largest innovation asset and drive inclusive growth regionally and nationally. Recently he has also been instrumental in developing our burgeoning relationship with Cambridge which is pioneering a new model of place-to-place collaboration to drive inclusive economic growth for the UK.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of Manchester, said: “We want to be one of the leading 21st Century civic universities in the world. A significant part of that vision is to be a powerhouse for innovation and strategic partnerships in our city region, the UK and globally.

“John brings a strong track record of civic engagement and developing innovative programs and policies that have contributed to creating opportunities for our region and beyond. To further this ambition, it is vital that we work with our partners and communities to meet the challenges that they face and I’m excited that John is set to play a leading part in this.”

Professor John Holden, Vice-President for Civic Engagement and Innovation, said: “I am delighted to have been appointed Vice-President for Civic Engagement and Innovation. With these two critical agendas set to be at the heart of our new 10-year strategy launching in October, this is a pivotal moment for the University and an exciting time to take on a role focused on driving its delivery.

“Our University has a proud tradition of working in partnership with our city and region, recognising that our success and the success of our region are inextricably linked. By strengthening our collaborations with industry, civic partners, and communities we can accelerate research into real-world impact, help our students unlock their full potential, and develop solutions to the major challenges that face our region and the world.

“As one of the North of England’s most significant innovation assets, the University has the scale, capabilities, and global reach to play a central role in driving inclusive economic growth and prosperity not just for our region but for the whole of the UK.

“I’m looking forward to working with our students, staff, alumni and partners to improve lives and create opportunities locally, nationally and globally — and I look forward to engaging with current and future collaborators about how we can make this happen together.”

Before joining the University in 2020, John spent 15 years in senior strategy and policy roles in Greater ��. He was instrumental in shaping the city region’s Mayoral Combined Authority, including the landmark 2014 ‘Devo Manc’ devolution deal and subsequent agreements that transferred significant powers and funding from the UK government to the city region. As head of the Greater �� Combined Authority’s Strategy and Research team, he worked with Mayor Andy Burnham, Sir Richard Leese, the late Sir Howard Bernstein and other regional leaders to set and deliver economic growth and public service reform policy.

He has advised national and international organisations on regional policy, including the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the European Commission and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. John is also a Board member of the Rochdale Development Agency, a North West Council Member of the Confederation of British Industry, a member of the Oxford Road Corridor Executive, and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA).

John will begin in his new role from 1st October 2025.

Northern Gritstone leads £4 million seed round investment in pioneering University of Manchester spinout

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 09:59:31 +0100

Northern Gritstone, the groundbreaking life sciences and deeptech investment firm chaired by Lord Jim O’Neill, has announced a combined £4 million seed round investment into the optical sensor startup PhovIR. Northern Gritstone is co-leading the investment alongside deeptech specialist SCVC.

The company is a spinout from the University of Manchester, founded by Dr Tim Echermeyer, based at the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (), and joined by Dr Steve Turley as executive-Chair.

PhovIR uses its breakthrough Near Infra-Red (NIR) optical sensor technology to identify the ‘optical fingerprint’ of constituents of solids, liquids and gases, in a portable device. Human eyes perceive a very narrow band of the optical spectrum, predominantly colours, yet there is much more information about materials and substances contained in longer wavelengths.

This innovation is a ‘platform technology’ which has far-reaching applications for human health, such as the detection of drink spiking and other contaminants to industrial safety, pollution monitoring and agricultural functions.

Although other NIR sensor devices exist, they are bulky, often difficult to integrate into portable devices and expensive to manufacture. The breakthrough achieved by PhovIR allows this to be manufactured on a silicon chip enabling a small, light and cost-effective solution that has the potential to be incorporated into a smart watch or phone.

PhovIR has developed a capability based on MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology to create a flexible, portable, low-cost solution that captures a broader optical range. Its software is fully configurable, doing the job of multiple sensors, and can be manufactured at scale.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor at �� said: “PhovIR is a fantastic example of the kind of innovation that defines �� – world-class research brought to life through collaboration, with the potential to change lives.

“It’s exciting to see this deeptech breakthrough moving towards real-world application, supported by the expertise of our Innovation Factory and partners like Northern Gritstone. My congratulations to the team behind PhovIR, this is exactly the kind of impact we want to see more of across our University and our region.”

PhovIR is chaired by Dr Steve Turley, who has over 25 years’ experience dedicated to scaling complex technologies into high growth businesses, including as Chair of Effect Photonics and ex-CEO of Perpetuum.

With the funding, PhovIR plans to bring its first commercial product to market, grow its team, and continue delivering on its vision for making the invisible visible to improve human and planetary health.

PhovIR recently completed Northern Gritstone’s pre-seed program, NG Studios, which has supported PhovIR to refine its commercial strategy as a customer-led organisation ready for growth and successful fundraising.

Active since May 2022, Northern Gritstone has already made 37 investments in early-stage businesses in the North of England, expanded its investment team and built NG Innovation Services, its venture building ‘toolkit’ offering, inter alia: talent management; growth advice; business services; and the accelerator program, NG Studios.

Duncan Johnson, CEO of Northern Gritstone, said: “PhovIR is a Northern Gritstone NG Studios graduate. �� is home to innovation in materials science including graphene. Northern Gritstone is delighted to back Dr Tim Echtermeyer and Dr Steve Turley – graduates of our NG Studios venture building program - knowing that PhovIR’s technology has the potential to create a global company.”

Dr Tim Echtermeyer, CTO of PhovIR, said: “I am exhilarated to enter the next part of PhovIR’s journey and turn our vision into reality. I am grateful to the many people contributing and making this happen; particularly Steve, and William Wren and Minh Vu from the Engineering team, who have worked relentlessly.

Dr Steve Turley, Chair of PhovIR said: “I am very excited to be working with PhovIR not only because of the immense potential that the technology has but also the great team in �� led by Tim. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate that the UK can take excellent innovative technology and turn it into a global success story”

John Williams, General Partner of SCVC said: “PhovIR represents the future of deep tech: advanced hardware, unlocked by AI. It’s the kind of multi-tech breakthrough that creates entirely new categories—and the kind SCVC is here to back.”

Graphene-enhanced, low-carbon concrete successfully laid at Northumbrian Water site

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 12:51:28 +0100

A novel concrete formulation developed through collaboration between the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) at the University of Manchester, Cemex UK, Galliford Try, Sika and Northumbrian Water has been successfully laid on site, delivering a major milestone in efforts to decarbonise construction materials.

The project culminated in the successful pour of 15m³ of graphene and micronised lime-enhanced concrete at a Northumbrian Water wastewater treatment facility. This mix achieved up to 49% reduction in CO₂ emissions per cubic metre compared to traditional CEM I concrete, while maintaining comparable compressive strength performance.

From lab to site: delivering the CoMLaG system

The lower-carbon concrete, known as CoMLaG (Combining Micronised Limestone and Graphene), was developed and trialled at the GEIC and Cemex’s National Technical Centre. The mix uses a ternary cement blend, replacing a portion of the high-carbon clinker with GGBS and micronised limestone. To counter the strength losses typically associated with clinker reduction, a graphene-based addition formulated at GEIC was introduced to enhance strength development.

Following extensive lab trials, the project team scaled production through a batch plant in the North East of England using site-available aggregates and raw materials. The successful site application demonstrated the real-world viability of the mix and laid the foundation for future optimisation and deployment.

Monitoring strength in real time

The April 2025 slab pour was monitored using Cemex’s i-Con maturity monitoring system. The system provided real-time data on curing conditions and strength gain, helping validate the concrete’s performance under actual site conditions.

Slump and compressive strength tests showed results consistent with lab data. As shown in the graph below, the cement blend with graphene achieved a 28-day compressive strength of 78.3 N/mm², closely matching the 82.6 N/mm² of the CEM I control. While early-age strength values were lower due to reduced clinker content, the inclusion of graphene helped narrow the gap, demonstrating comparable performance to industry standards despite a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions.

Collaborative pathway to lower carbon concrete

This collaborative effort demonstrates the potential of advanced material science to support the construction sector’s net zero ambitions. The GEIC’s work to formulate and stabilise the graphene additive was central to ensuring performance at very low dosing levels (<0.1% by weight of cementitious content), while Cemex and Galliford Try enabled the transition from lab to large-scale pour.

“This project is a fantastic example of industry-led project with significant contributions from University of Manchester research facilities to reduce carbon emissions in construction,” said Lisa Scullion, Application Manager at the GEIC. “Graphene-enhanced systems like CoMLaG open the door to concrete that performs well while significantly cutting its environmental impact.”

“At Cemex, we are committed to pioneering sustainable construction solutions, and this project exemplifies that mission,” said Mike Higgins, Director of Quality and Product Technology at Cemex. “The successful deployment of the CoMLaG project on a live site demonstrates how the use of advanced materials can help us reduce carbon emissions whilst remaining focussed on performance. Collaborating with partners like the GEIC, Galliford Try, and Northumbrian Water has been instrumental in accelerating the transition from lab innovation to real-world application.”

The next phase of work will focus on optimising the mix, improving admixture compatibility, and validating performance across a wider range of aggregates to support commercial rollout.

This successful collaboration between the GEIC, Cemex, Galliford Try, Sika and Northumbrian Water demonstrates how research and industry partnerships can drive meaningful progress in sustainable construction. Together, the partners are paving the way for lower-carbon concrete solutions that balance performance with environmental responsibility.

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

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

On Monday 14 July, start-up founders from across �� 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 ��’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 �� 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 �� scales up its ambition to become Europe’s leading innovation university.

A statement from our judging panel

“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 ��’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 Manchester Innovation Factory
John Holden, Associate Vice-President for Major Special Projects at ��.
Professor Aline Miller, Director of the Innovation Academy and Chief Scientific Officer of Unit M at ��.

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:

University of Manchester ranks among top UK universities for spinout company formation

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 11:18:21 +0100

�� has been recognised as one of the UK’s leading institutions for spinout company creation, placing fourth among Russell Group universities in the newly published Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Spinout .

Published by HESA, the register is the most comprehensive dataset of its kind, providing the first open and auditable record of spinout activity across the UK’s higher education sector. It captures all spinout companies established by UK universities between 2012/13 and 2023/24, offering a robust measure of how effectively research is being translated into commercial ventures.

��’s performance reflects more than a decade of sustained effort to support its researchers in building successful, impactful businesses from world-class academic work. Driven by �� Innovation Factory, 122 spinout companies were established during the period covered by the register, in fields ranging from advanced materials and biotech to environmental innovation.

The Innovation Factory plays a central role in this success. As the University’s Technology Transfer Office (TTO), the Innovation Factory is responsible for the commercialisation of the University’s research. This includes supporting the creation and development of spinout companies based on ideas and discoveries generated by the University’s academics.

Dr Catherine Headley, CEO of the Innovation Factory, said: “This is a fantastic recognition of the strength of our innovation community in ��. It shows not just how many spinouts we’re helping to launch, but the real value of the support we offer to researchers with great ideas.

"We’re proud to see so many of those ideas becoming successful businesses, and we’re committed to helping even more of them make that journey. In doing so, we’re building on ��’s long history of innovation and helping to secure the city’s future as a global centre for discovery and enterprise.”

The Innovation Factory provides a full spectrum of technology transfer services, including early-stage evaluation, intellectual property management, licensing, company formation and investor support. It works closely with academic teams, industry partners and investors to ensure that ideas with commercial potential receive the guidance and support they need to succeed.

The HESA Spinout Register has been developed in partnership with Jisc, Research England and the University Commercialisation and Innovation Policy Evidence Unit at the University of Cambridge. It is based on validated institutional returns to the Higher Education Business and Community Interaction (HE-BCI) survey and represents the first national resource of its kind.

��’s position in the register highlights its commitment to delivering impact through innovation and its leadership in turning research into economic and societal value.

For more information, visit the Innovation Factory .

Northern Gritstone invests in �� spinout Apini

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 11:42:07 +0100

Northern Gritstone, the groundbreaking life sciences and deeptech investment firm, has today announced a commitment to invest £1.8 million into Apini, a small molecule drug development programme being advanced by Syncona’s accelerator Slingshot Therapeutics (“Slingshot”).

Apini is a spinout from �� developing a new treatment for chronic inflammatory diseases using a small molecule approach. The company was formed with help from the University’s Innovation Factory, its technology transfer office. According to the Spotlight on Spinouts 2025 report by the Royal Academy of Engineering and Beauhurst, the Innovation Factory supported the launch of 114 spinout companies between 2011 and January 2025, placing the University among the UK’s top institutions for spinout creation.

Spun out of the University of Manchester, Apini is developing a novel small molecule for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. Potential indications include Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis, the two most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which affects as many as 10 million people worldwide. Apini is looking to address the significant unmet need in this area of medicine through targeted modulation of eNAMPT, an enzyme implicated in multiple inflammatory conditions.

Preclinical studies demonstrate the potential for selective eNAMPT modulators to treat various inflammatory diseases without inducting immune suppression.

Apini was discovered by founding scientist Professor Sam Butterworth, who is world-renowned for his work in the invention of Tagrisso, a life-saving anti-cancer drug for EGFR mutant lung cancer that is used globally.

Slingshot was built by Syncona with an initial commitment of £12.5 million to identify and advance de-risked therapeutic programmes from the work of leading academic researchers. Apini is the first company to work with Slingshot, following its launch in November 2024, with Northern Gritstone becoming the first co-investor.

Apini’s funding from Northern Gritstone and Syncona will be delivered over three tranches tied to company milestones, with the original commitment unchanged in value.

Northern Gritstone Chief Executive, Duncan Johnson, said: “Apini is based on the groundbreaking drug development work of Professor Sam Butterworth from ��, and is a fantastic example of life sciences company creation based on world-class research. We’re delighted to invest in Apini, alongside Syncona, and with the support of the Slingshot accelerator”

Founder of Apini, Professor Sam Butterworth said “This investment from Northern Gritstone supports Apini’s mission to treat inflammatory diseases without the induction of immune suppression. We look forward to advancing and accelerating the Apini programme which we believe can bring meaningful improvements to patients across a broad range of chronic inflammatory diseases.”

Executive Chair of Slingshot, Edward Hodgkin added: “We are delighted to welcome Northern Gritstone as an investment partner for Apini, with the investment providing further validation of this novel programme. We believe that Slingshot’s expertise and operational support has the ability to accelerate exceptional academic science, like Apini, into attractive biotech assets that can quickly and effectively transform into groundbreaking treatments for patients.”

�� and Cambridge awarded £4.8 million funding for groundbreaking cross-UK innovation partnership

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 15:18:23 +0100

●&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; £4.8m funding awarded from Research England to supercharge the next stage of pioneering city-to-city partnership

●&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; Led by The University of Cambridge and ��, and supported by the two Mayoral Combined Authorities, City Councils, alongside businesses and investors

A groundbreaking partnership between �� and The University of Cambridge has been awarded £4.8 million by Research England to accelerate inclusive growth and innovation collaboration. As the UK’s first cross-UK innovation partnership, it will pioneer a new model of place-to-place collaboration and help drive economic growth for the UK- setting an example for other cities to follow. With further investment from the two universities, the total funding for the partnership will be £6m.

The partnership will be led by Unit M and Innovate Cambridge - the universities’ respective innovation capabilities - with support from the two Mayoral Combined Authorities, City Councils, businesses and investors. It is a prime example of how a university-led, cross-UK innovation collaboration can enhance the UK's global competitiveness and foster innovation-driven growth.

This initiative responds directly to the UK government’s imperative for universities to support the delivery of the national Industrial Strategy and make a stronger contribution to economic growth.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice Chancellor of Manchester, commented: "Our partnership with Cambridge marks a new model of collaboration between UK universities. It brings together the distinctive strengths of each of our universities and cities, connecting two of the great innovation ecosystems to scale up what we can achieve. This new approach to innovation accelerates the time between discovery and impact, getting ideas into the real economy and our communities even more quickly to drive inclusive growth.”

Professor Lou Cordwell, Chief Executive of Unit M, said: “Universities are increasingly taking a lead in convening and catalysing their innovation ecosystems. By bringing together investors, businesses, entrepreneurs, academics, and public sector agencies, this partnership will create new opportunities and stimulate investment into the innovation economy. We are proud at Unit M to be part of such a pioneering partnership, and look forward to continuing to work with Cambridge.”

Professor Deborah Prentice, University of Cambridge Vice-Chancellor, commented: “This pioneering initiative brings together the combined strengths of Cambridge and �� to create something that is truly ground-breaking. By connecting our cities, we’re helping to build a more collaborative and dynamic environment in which innovative research can connect with industry, venture capital and entrepreneurs to drive economic growth and deliver real benefits for people and places across the UK.”

Science Minister and Oxford-Cambridge Growth Champion, Lord Vallance, said: “This pioneering partnership is proof that our ambitions for the Oxford-Cambridge Corridor can and will fire up economic growth across the length and breadth of the UK, which is critical to our Plan for Change.

“Cambridgeshire and Greater �� are forging a path I hope others will follow. Science is always stronger when we work together, and stronger research ties between the UK’s great regions will only lead to more investment, more opportunities, and more breakthroughs, from health to clean energy and beyond.”

Jessica Corner, Executive Chair of Research England, commented: “This investment underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration across England. By connecting the vibrant ecosystems of Cambridge and ��, we aim to drive significant economic growth and create a model for place-based innovation that can be replicated nationwide."

At the core of the partnership is the exchange of complementary innovation assets to ensure real-world impact. Both cities already have strong R&D capabilities and strengths in leading-edge sectors such as AI, life sciences, and advanced materials. Cambridge has deep investor networks but experiences growth constraints due to its small scale, higher costs, and lack of development land. �� provides that scale, affordability for start-ups and scale-ups, and a large talent pool - but has a less mature support ecosystem.

The Research England funding will be used in three key areas: ecosystem activation and integration; growing investment; and testing and learning.

●&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; Ecosystem activation and integration: It will strengthen relations within and between the innovation ecosystems of the two cities, to create a vibrant and ambitious cross-city innovation network. This aims to create progressive new approach inclusive growth.

●&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; Growing investment: It will harness the combined strengths of both universities and partner cities to support start-ups and scale-ups to secure funding and grow, attract innovation-intensive FDI to the UK, and stimulate investment into R&D.

●&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; Testing and learning: It will pilot new approaches and share best practice for delivering ecosystem collaboration and inclusive growth. This will allow other cities, the wider higher education sector community, and local and national governments in the UK and internationally to learn from the partnership.

Philanthropy launches Ideas With Impact Prize to support budding innovators

Wed, 21 May 2025 11:42:32 +0100

A new competition to help founders turn innovative ideas into high-value commercial startups has been launched by ��.

The Ideas With Impact Prize, which is supported by philanthropic donors to the University, aims to award £300,000 in its first funding round this summer.

Scaling up support for founders

Delivered by Unit M and the Innovation Factory, Ideas With Impact Prizes will provide individual awards of £100,000, £50,000, and £20,000 to entrepreneurs at the early stages of their founder journey. These awards will empower projects that address pressing local and global challenges, ensure ��’s best technologies move out into the world more quickly, and create tangible economic growth.

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

Donors at the heart of our innovation ecosystem

The Prize is the latest development in the University’s Ideas With Impact partners’ programme, which has previously provided £400,000 to early-stage research spinouts. Successful projects include the development of a home-testing kit for the early detection of lung cancer, as well as Plant Organelle Technologies – a new spinout developing targeted techniques to tackle drought and herbicide resistance in plants. By reaching a wider range of founders, the Prize launch will maximise the impact of gifts to the programme.

Donors have already made a great difference to the University’s innovation ecosystem, and will play a vital role as we scale up our ambition to become Europe’s leading innovation university. Ideas With Impact is more than a funding initiative. It's a celebration of the partnership between philanthropists and the University in driving innovation-led growth.

A call to budding founders and innovators

Got a great idea with commercial promise? Applications are now open!

Ideas With Impact is open to any student, staff member, or recent graduate (within three years of graduation) of Manchester, who have the ambition to turn their research and ideas into enterprises that change lives. Key dates below:

20 June 2025: Applications close.
27 June 2025: Finalist announcement.
14 July 2025: Finalist Pitching Competition and networking event.

Learn more about the Ideas With Impact Prizes and the application process on the University’s

Philanthropic Support

Interested in supporting brilliant future founders and ensuring entrepreneurship for all? We’d love to explore opportunities with you.

Contact Olympia Kennard to begin a conversation: 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 Innovation Academy here:

�� celebrates 50 years of UK innovation and partnerships

Mon, 12 May 2025 16:24:10 +0100

To celebrate the landmark 50^th anniversary of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP), a collaboration has been formed between Innovate UK, the University of Salford, �� Metropolitan University and ��, with the partners hosting the KTP 2025 Conference and Awards from 28 to 30 October 2025.

Taking place in �� - the birthplace of KTP - the event will mark the pinnacle of national 50^th year celebrations, bringing together the KTP community for a programme of guest speakers, workshops and seminars.

Since their launch in 1975, the UK Government has funded over 14,000 groundbreaking KTPs, uniting top businesses with researchers and graduates to solve real-world challenges, adding billions to the UK economy. From 2010 to 2020 alone, Innovate UK invested £200m in 2,000 projects, adding £2.3bn to the UK economy.

The Innovate UK KTP Awards will showcase this year’s finalists, alongside the KTP Golden Awards - these special honours will highlight legacy projects, partnerships and people that have profoundly shaped the UK economically, socially and environmentally over the last five decades. Registration for the conference and awards is now open, with early bird pricing available until Monday 30 June 2025.

Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, Lord Vallance, said: “Knowledge Transfer Partnerships have long supported collaboration between our renowned universities, UK innovators and thriving businesses – from helping household brands to produce their goods more efficiently through to unleashing new discoveries that improve lives.

“They also demonstrate the benefit of public investment, with ambitious, Innovate-UK-backed projects across the country having added billions of pounds to our economy in the previous decade alone. I look forward to these partnerships supporting the next generation of cutting-edge innovations.”

KTPs are a UK-wide programme designed to foster innovation by linking businesses with academic institutions. With funding and support provided by Innovate UK, the scheme enables companies to access cutting-edge research and specialist knowledge to solve strategic challenges, develop new products and enhance their competitive edge. Greater �� was part of the original pilot of the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships scheme when it launched in 1975.

In a joint statement, the Vice-Chancellors of the three host universities - the University of Salford, �� Metropolitan University and �� - said: “Together, we are proud to be co-hosting the KTP 2025 Conference and Awards in the birthplace of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. For 50 years, KTPs have exemplified the power of collaboration between universities and industry - driving innovation, supporting economic growth and tackling real-world challenges.

“This milestone celebration is not only a tribute to the enduring impact of the programme, but also a springboard for shaping the next era of research-driven partnerships that benefit society locally, nationally and globally.”

Richard Lamb, KTP Programme Manager at Innovate UK, said: “Celebrating 50 years of the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships programme offers a valuable opportunity to recognise its enduring impact on UK innovation and economic resilience. By bridging academia and industry, KTP has extended vital opportunities to businesses and academic partners across the UK, reaching beyond London and the Southeast to drive innovation in fields ranging from STEM to the creative industries and pioneering areas like AI and quantum technology.

“This collaborative model has not only boosted productivity and growth but has empowered organisations of all sizes to innovate and thrive on a local and national scale. This 50th anniversary is the perfect occasion to reflect on the impressive impact achieved through the programme and its lasting legacy.”

The KTP 2025 Conference is aimed at KTP associates, practitioners, academics and funders, whilst the Awards will bring together business, associate, academic and practitioner teams behind the UK’s most transformative projects.

Find out more about the conference and reserve your place:

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 ��.

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 �� 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 �� 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 �� 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 �� 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 �� 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 �� 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 �� 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 .

University of Manchester ranks in top 5 universities for spinout generation

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 14:45:23 +0100

�� has been ranked the fourth highest academic institution for the total number of spinout companies generated in the Spotlight on Spinouts 2025 .

Between 2011 and January of this year, 114 spinout companies were tracked for �� in data produced by the Royal Academy of Engineering and Beauhurst.

There has been a significant rise (32.6%) in the number of Manchester spinouts since the last report, jumping from 86 to 114. Eight additions were due to the revised HESA definition of what constitutes a spinout.

The University’s Technology Transfer Office, �� , has been at the forefront of spinout generation at the University, helping to bring ideas to life by licensing intellectual property (IP) and making an impact on industry.

Catherine Headley, CEO of the Innovation Factory, said: “With many years of experience delivering commercialisation from ��’s research and intellectual property, we are proud to play a key role in the University’s impressive ranking as a top-tier institution for spinout generation.

“The Innovation Factory is excited to build on the success of the more than 100 existing spinout companies we have created from the University’s academic research, driving further innovation and impact for the region and beyond.”

The report highlighted how the ‘Golden Triangle’ of Oxford, Cambridge and London, the UK’s research and development (R&D) cluster, accounts for 27.7% of the total spinout population.

�� fell just behind Imperial College London (132) for number of spinouts, with the University of Cambridge (175) and University of Oxford (225) taking the second and first spots respectively.

The report also highlighted the top sectors by number of spinouts, with pharmaceuticals (399), data provision and analysis (282) and electronics hardware (269) making up the top three. The highest emerging sectors in this report include artificial intelligence (214), software-as-a-service (180) and CleanTech (169).

In keeping with ��’s innovation drive, the University of Manchester recently established its new innovation capability, , to connect and catalyse the innovation ecosystem in �� and the wider region.

By making the University’s world-class research, innovation assets and talent more accessible to all, Unit M is attracting and growing innovation-intensive businesses in the region. It is designed to address all aspects of the innovation challenge – from R&D and innovation adoption through to talent and skills – creating an economy that creates good jobs, higher pay, and improved productivity, alongside supporting and nurturing spinout talent.

Professor Lou Cordwell OBE, CEO of Unit M, said: “�� has long been the innovation engine of the city, making it no surprise that it has ranked so highly for spinout generation.

“This stellar track record has paved the way for Unit M to drive a more inclusive model of innovation-led growth, bridging the gap with other participants in the innovation economy. This outward facing ethos will make the innovation assets and talents of the University more accessible to all - enabling �� to fulfil its economic potential and supercharge growth both regionally and nationally.”

�� Innovation Factory appoints Dr Catherine Headley as new CEO

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 09:00:00 +0000

�� Innovation Factory (UoMIF) has appointed Dr Catherine Headley as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Catherine succeeds Andy Wilkinson, who played a pivotal role in transforming UoMIF into a dynamic force for commercialising cutting-edge technology and intellectual property (IP) originating from the University’s academics and researchers.

Catherine steps into the role full-time, having served as Interim CEO over the past year, while also fulfilling her responsibilities as Director of Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange at ��. With a wealth of experience in working with businesses, technology transfer and innovation, she brings a deep commitment to advancing UoMIF’s mission of identifying and commercialising groundbreaking research to drive social, environmental and economic impact.

Catherine will be succeeded in her previous role as Director of Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange by Dr Louise Bates, who joins from her position as Head of Strategic Partnerships at ��.

“I am thrilled to take on this role at such an exciting time for the Innovation Factory,” said Catherine. “�� has a proud and established legacy of pioneering innovation that shapes the world and I am eager to build on that tradition. My goal is to strengthen our partnerships, empower our academics, inventors and researchers, and accelerate the journey from discovery to real-world solutions that benefit society and bolster the UK’s position as a global leader in innovation.”

The appointment comes at a time when technology transfer offices (TTOs) across the UK are increasingly recognised for their economic contributions.

A 2023 report highlighted that university spinouts in the UK employ tens of thousands and generate billions in revenue annually, underscoring the critical role of organisations like UoMIF in fostering innovation ecosystems. UoMIF plays a critical role in supporting growth in the region through its spinouts and innovation, and is now perfectly placed to grow and increase the environmental, societal and economic impact that it contributes.

Over the past several years, UoMIF established itself as a vital bridge between academic research and commercial application, supporting the University’s ambition to create impact through translation of world-class research. Catherine aims to build on this foundation, driving UoMIF towards ambitious goals while reinforcing ��’s historic role as a hub of technological advancement.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of Manchester, welcomed the appointment, saying: “I’m delighted Catherine is stepping into the role of CEO at the Innovation Factory. Her leadership, creativity, and commitment to bringing our research to life exemplify exactly what we're about as a University.

"Her appointment will help us accelerate the journey from discovery to real-world impact, ensuring our ideas make a meaningful difference - not just here in ��, but nationally and globally. It's an exciting step forward as we continue to push boundaries in research and innovation, and I'm truly looking forward to seeing what she'll achieve.”

Professor Richard Jones, Vice-President, Regional Innovation and Civic Engagement at ��, said: “Catherine’s leadership comes at a pivotal moment for the Innovation Factory as we seek to amplify ��’s position as an innovation powerhouse for the region and the nation. Her appointment signals our commitment to transforming bold ideas into tangible solutions, fostering a vibrant ecosystem where research fuels regional growth and global breakthroughs.

"The Innovation Factory, under her guidance, will be a valuable asset to support the University’s world-class innovators and transformative technologies.”

For more information about the University of Manchester Innovation Factory and its work, please visit www.uominnovationfactory.com.

�� and Saraco Industries Limited celebrate knowledge transfer project at annual Bionow Awards

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 16:42:24 +0000

�� and Saraco Industries Limited has won the Project of the Year Award at the prestigious annual Bionow Awards 2024.

A highlight of the life sciences calendar, the awards dinner was held at the Concorde Conference Centre on 6 March, with over 340 attendees gathering for an evening of celebration and achievement.

The University and Saraco Industries received the Project of the Year Award in recognition of taking a major step forward in the area of research, by demonstrating an innovative and novel approach for a collaborative project - marking a breakthrough in sustainable healthcare products.

An interdisciplinary team from �� comprising of materials science, biological physics and microbiology experts collaborated with Saraco Industries, a UK-based SME wet wipe manufacturer, to achieve a breakthrough first – a plastic-free wet wipe meeting EN standards against bacteria, yeast, and viruses under dirty conditions with a 1-minute contact time. This innovative clinical disinfection wipe has now been commercialised and submitted against an NHS tender.

The collaborative partnership has continued to develop and grow, including securing a 3-year Centre for Doctoral Training PhD project in Advanced Biomedical Materials, a follow-on UKRI IAA Advance Fund project to further optimise the existing wipe formulation, and a recent second Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) submission to develop bacteriophage-infused wipes for healthcare applications.

Sarah Cartmell, Professor of Bioengineering, �� said: “We are so proud to be recognised for our achievements in this important interdisciplinary project. Our progress is a result of the synergy of University and industry collaboration. We look forward to building on our success with our continuing teamwork.”

Andrew McBain, Professor of Microbiology at �� said: “KTP has enabled �� to make a tangible, positive contribution to a highly dynamic local business. It has been so rewarding to see the KTP Associate, Carolina Angulo Pineda, develop through considerable talent and tenacity, into a mature scientist who is now employed full-time as a Senior R&D Materials Scientist at Saraco.”

Dr Carolina Angulo Pineda, KTP Associate and now Senior R&D Materials Scientist, Saraco Industries, commented: “I will always be honoured and grateful to have been part of this fantastic KTP Team. This opportunity allowed me to grow both personally and professionally, and I look forward to continuing to work together on innovative solutions for real-life challenges.”

Idris M Bapu, Managing Director, Saraco Industries, added: “This is a wonderful honour and acknowledgment of all the hard work put in by the KTP team, the Academics at �� and our Saraco team members. This award will be prominently displayed in our offices with great pride.”

The project was funded through an Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership; celebrating its 50th year in 2025 of bringing together forward-thinking businesses and organisations, academics, and graduates to solve complex innovation challenges which help our economy, society, and environment. Delivered through the Knowledge Exchange Partnerships team, part of Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange, �� has collaborated on more than 300 KTPs and in the last five years alone, has supported 42 KTPs with a total research value of £11 million.

If you would like to discuss how KTP can help your business innovate for growth, please contact collaborate@manchester.ac.uk.

Graphene Innovations �� extends GEIC partnership for another three years

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 13:40:28 +0000

We are delighted to announce that Graphene Innovations �� (GIM) has extended its Tier 1 Partnership with the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) for another three years.

This renewed collaboration is a key pillar of GIM’s £250 million expansion strategy, reinforcing the UK as a leading hub for research, innovation, and advanced materials. As part of this ambitious plan, the initiative is expected to create over 1,000 skilled jobs in the UK—an impact highlighted recently by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

GIM, a spin-out from �� and GEIC, was formed through our unique Bridging the Gap programme, designed to help start-ups and SMEs commercialise cutting-edge graphene technologies. Since then, GIM has been at the forefront of rapid graphene-based commercial product development, pioneering sustainable building materials and next-generation Artificial Intelligence (AI) based manufacturing delivering global impact.

Notably, GIM has launched the world’s first commercial production of graphene-enriched carbon fibre in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—a game-changing step in scaling up graphene-based technologies to reduce global CO₂ emissions and diversify the hydrocarbon economy.

James Baker, CEO of Graphene@��:
"GIM's commitment to innovation and sustainability exemplifies the transformative potential of graphene. Their continued partnership with GEIC not only accelerates technological advancements but also brings substantial economic benefits to Greater ��. Great to have them on board, and we’re excited for what’s ahead."

Dr Vivek Koncherry, CEO & Chairman of GIM:
"Extending our partnership with the GEIC is pivotal for our mission to drive large-scale manufacturing of sustainable graphene-enhanced products both in the UK and globally as well as creating multiple Unicorn companies. This collaboration enables us to tap into world-class resources and expertise within the graphene ecosystem, pushing us much closer to our vision of a truly sustainable and profitable future, leading the Graphene Age."

This extended partnership strengthens ��’s reputation as the Home of Graphene, ensuring continued innovation, collaboration, and real-world impact through world-leading research and industry partnerships.

For more details on the UK government’s announcement, .

The GEIC operates a partnership model, offering a variety of engagement options tailored to the scope, scale, duration and complexity of development projects. for more information and to get in touch.

Showcasing groundbreaking innovation at ��’s 2025 Investor Conference

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 14:31:54 +0000

�� brought together leading investors, academics and spinout founders to explore exciting new ventures emerging from ��, the University of Leeds and The University of Sheffield.

Throughout the two-day event held this month, spinout founders presented their innovative projects across Life Sciences, Science & Engineering and Next-Stage Investment categories. These sessions were followed by lively Q&A discussions, with investors and attendees posing insightful questions about the future potential of these groundbreaking technologies.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President & Vice-Chancellor of Manchester, delivered a keynote speech on the global impact of university spinouts and reinforced the role of research-led innovation in shaping industries worldwide.

He said at the event: “One of the things that distinguishes �� globally is the connectivity of the city and its institutions and the ecosystem between business, universities and government in a way that is unique in the world.

“It is the superpower of Manchester. I don’t know of any other city in the world in which the connectivity between the main institutions in the city are so deep, so dynamic, and so alive.”

Richard Jones, Vice President for Innovation at ��, also commended how commercialisation of university research can benefit the wider innovation ecosystem.

Break-out partnering sessions allowed for in-depth discussion and provided invaluable opportunities for spinout teams to meet privately with investors to discuss their commercialisation journeys.

Catherine Headley, CEO at �� Innovation Factory said: “The conference truly demonstrated the strength and diversity of spinout companies emerging from Leeds, �� and Sheffield. The level of investor engagement was remarkable, reflecting the exciting momentum behind innovation across the North of England.”

The 2025 Investor Conference reaffirmed the Northern Triangle of Universities’ role as a hub fostering cutting-edge innovation collaborations that shape the future of science, technology, and business. It is hoped that fresh partnerships and investments will emerge from the event and that steps will be taken towards real world impact.

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

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

Arcube, a ��-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 Manchester 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 ��’s Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC), which was established by Alliance �� 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 �� 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.

University of Manchester is economic and social powerhouse of the North in latest impact report

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 11:00:00 +0000

In published today, ��’s far-reaching benefit to the region and to the UK was revealed - for every £1 invested in research activities, the University generates £5.95 in productivity benefits to the UK economy.

��’s total economic impact on the UK economy in the 2022-23 academic year stood at £7.3 billion. In fact, The University’s income alone stood at £1.3 billion in total, larger than that of Manchester United Football Club.

The new analysis by London Economics shows the scale of the University’s positive effects as a major employer with one in every 25 jobs in �� being provided by the University. Indirectly, the institution also supports an additional 31,000 jobs outside of the University across the North West and the rest of the UK.

Professor Richard Jones, Vice-President for Regional Innovation and Civic Engagement said: “The University’s ambition is to power a strong and inclusive economy, positioning �� as a central player on the global stage. The scale of what we have achieved currently is remarkable, but there is more to do. There is a huge opportunity now for the city-region of Greater �� and the University to work together, with other partners, to accelerate the kind of economic growth which benefits all in society.”

Economic Contribution: In 2022-23, the University generated approximately £2.1 billion in economic impact within Greater ��, which is 56% of its total impact in the North West.

Civic and Employment Impact: In 2022-23, the University's activities supported 19,050 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs in Greater ��, which is a significant portion of the total 31,310 FTE jobs supported across the UK.

Research and Knowledge Exchange: The University's research and knowledge exchange activities have a profound impact on the region. In 2022-23, these activities supported approximately 6,040 FTE jobs in Greater �� and generated a total economic impact of £3.0 billion across the UK.

Innovation and spin-out/start-up companies: The University has 343 spinout and start-up companies, with 175 headquartered in Greater ��.

The Impact Report was revealed today during an economy and regeneration committee meeting at �� City Council.

Professor John Holden, Associate Vice-President, Major Special Projects said: “�� is one of the most significant innovation assets in the North of England, and a driver of growth and prosperity for our city-region and the UK, with global reach. This report highlights how investment in our research, teaching, cultural, and innovation activities – and the activities of our staff, students, alumni and partners – creates economic and societal wealth for communities across the UK.”

The University is seeking to now supercharge its impact through innovation and commercialisation via the activities of , a new specialist function will transform how the University partners with start-ups, scale ups and industry to strengthen the region’s innovation ecosystem.

The impact of students has also been highlighted, as the University seeks to develop its �� 2035 strategy to work with ambition and focus, to make �� an example of a civic-embedded and social responsibility-led institution. The University is currently ranked at 6 in the UK and 34 in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and as the third largest higher education institution in the UK, teaching and learning activities provide substantial benefits to the UK economy.

Today’s report reveals the impact of teaching and learning generated by the 2022-23 cohort of University of Manchester students stood at £1.6 billion, based on enhanced employment and earnings benefits to graduates and associated public income.

University’s Innovation Academy celebrates growing pool of entrepreneurial talent

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 10:45:28 +0000

Over 100 student and staff entrepreneurs from across all three university faculties attended the most recent event in support of their inventive ideas. The crowd of innovators were joined by 15 external business experts who were on hand to offer guidance and advice as these talented and driven entrepreneurs navigate the journey from concept to societal and commercial growth.

�� is home to a rapidly growing talent pool of entrepreneurs and start-up companies transforming ideas in to real-world impact thanks to the University’s innovation ecosystem on offer. Last week ��’s Innovation Academy held its third Founders Network Dinner (Tuesday 28Jan), in the �� Museum.

The academy is a pan University initiative and joint venture between the Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange team, �� Innovation Factory and the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre. It brings together knowledge, expertise and routes to facilitate the commercialisation of your research.

Professor Aline Miller, Director of the Innovation Academy and Chief Scientific Officer at , said: “It’s incredible to see our Innovation Academy Founders Network flourishing. Each event has grown significantly, reinforcing how ��’s innovator community is beginning to thrive. With initiatives like Unit M, we have the opportunity to extend our impact beyond the University, embedding ourselves within the wider regional ecosystem.”

The evening was opened by Vice-Chancellor for Regional Innovation and Civic Engagement, Professor Richard Jones, who shared his thoughts about embedding innovation squarely within the University 2035 Strategy, and the importance of generating tangible impact from our research to solve global challenges and deliver an innovation driven economy.

A highlight of the night was a series of one-minute elevator pitches from nine inspiring entrepreneurs, each at different stages of their journey. These ranged from early-stage proof-of-concept ideas to businesses securing significant funding, such as those winning the Eli Harari Award and raising over £9 million in seed funding. The ventures spanned diverse industries, including healthcare, technology, and sustainability:

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In attendance was Professor Lou Cordwell, CEO of , who introduced this University of Manchester flagship initiative, highlighting its potential to revolutionise the regional innovation ecosystem. She described how Unit M will act as a bridge between university-born innovation and the wider economy, fostering inclusivity and long-term growth.

The Innovation Academy’s Founders Network is a growing community of technology, creative, and social start-up and spin-out founders, providing a supportive platform for sharing experiences and fostering peer-to-peer learning. Since its launch in June 2024, attendance at the dinners has grown from 40 to 110 - highlighting the growing momentum behind entrepreneurial activity.

The Innovation Academy, a collaboration between the Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange Team, the University of Manchester Innovation Factory, and the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre, aims to inspire and accelerate enterprise across campus.

Any student or staff member with an interest in entrepreneurship is encouraged to join this vibrant network. To get involved, contact Kelly Burnham at Innovation.Academy@manchester.ac.uk.

To find out more about ��’s pioneering spirit through the ages and current and future landscapes for innovation, the economy and commercialisation, listen to Aline and Professor of Materials Physics and Innovation Policy and Vice-President for Regional Innovation and Civic Engagement, Richard Jones on their Talk 200 podcast, Talking Innovation: It’s in ��’s DNA.

Photo credit - Enna Bartlett

University of Manchester and Bupa combine to affect change on environmental impact of healthcare sector

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

�� and have announced an innovative new collaboration to develop new methods and strategies to drastically reduce the healthcare sector’s environmental impact upon our planet.

Announced today, the research programme aims to address the challenges of plastic waste in healthcare settings by exploring the relationship between social practice, material selection, reuse, and recycling while maintaining high-quality clinical outcomes. In response to complex sustainability challenges in the sector, the work will explore circular pathways, identify barriers and unintended consequences, and unlock opportunities to minimise the environmental impacts of materials in healthcare settings.

The three-year partnership brings together two organisations striving for authentic environmental sustainability, backed by innovative research and real-world practice. The collaboration is co-funded by an EPSRC Prosperity Partnership award, UKRI’s flagship co-investing programme building business and academic research collaboration.

Professor Mike Shaver, Director of Sustainable Futures and academic lead for the new partnership said: “We are thrilled by the opportunity to work with Bupa on this ambitious new project, extending our systemic understanding of plastics, waste management, social practice and environmental impacts to reshape material provision in healthcare. These collaborations are essential to translating our research efforts into real world impact.”

A key challenge for a sustainable future is the way we use and dispose of materials. Over 60% of countries have implemented bans or taxes on household waste, particularly plastics, yet healthcare is much more complex. The sector’s reliance on single-use items (SUIs) for infection control, consistency, and cost efficiency has led to significant environmental and health challenges, with SUIs contributing to carbon emissions, waste, and plastic pollution.

The crucial new interdisciplinary collaboration will tackle four key urgent areas:

Understanding social practice in medical practices - Understand the interconnectedness between social practice and material selection, use, segregation and disposal.
Reuse and sterility - Understand the relationship between material selection, sterilisation and reuse to improve environmental sustainability
Mechanical and chemical recycling - Establish high volume clinical waste streams to create value in mechanical recycling and chemical depolymerization.
Environmental sustainability assessment - Quantify environmental impacts and develop materials hierarchies in the provision of healthcare.

Anna Russell, Director of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility, Bupa, said: “This partnership with �� is groundbreaking for our sector. Tackling healthcare’s environmental challenges requires bold thinking and collaboration, and this partnership is a fantastic opportunity to lead the way in creating sustainable, industry-wide solutions. By combining cutting-edge research with Bupa’s real-world expertise, we can drive meaningful change that reduces the healthcare sector’s impact on the planet while maintaining the highest clinical standards. This is a vital step forward in our journey to help create a greener, healthier future.”

This new partnership has been recognised by the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for bringing together ��’s interdisciplinary collaborative researchers and knowledge-base, with data from and access to more than 500 Bupa dental practices, clinics, care homes and The Cromwell Hospital. The necessity of tackling these challenges was highlighted by The University’s research platform and Bupa. These are challenges which can only be tackled by marrying academia and industry.

This new collaboration was kick-started by , ��’s recently announced innovation capability tasked with supercharging the region’s innovation ecosystem. Unit M is now live and actively engaging with entrepreneurs, investors, and changemakers eager to shape the future of the region.

Professor Lou Cordwell, CEO of Unit M said: “Ahead of the formal launch of Unit M, the founding leadership team has been working to develop this partnership with Bupa to highlight the benefits of organisations engaging with Unit M to drive real-world impact and innovation. The collaboration has taken shape over the past two years to establish a long term, University wide innovation partnership.”

The new collaboration builds on the shared commitment of both the University and Bupa to the region. Last month, �� reaffirmed its status as a global leader in sustainability by retaining its position in the top 10 worldwide in the . Meanwhile, Bupa was one of the first healthcare companies to set science-based CO2 reduction targets and an ambitious 2040 net zero pathway.

Find out more about Unit M:

Unit M appoints Chief Scientific Officer, Professor Aline Miller

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 09:37:00 +0000

�� has appointed Professor Aline Miller as the new Chief Scientific Officer of . The newly launched innovation capability based at the University is aimed at fostering connections between the University and the regional innovation ecosystem to promote inclusive growth.

Unit M is dedicated to tackling the full spectrum of innovation challenges – from research and development to innovation adoption, as well as talent and skills development. By enhancing access to the University’s world-class research, innovation resources, and expertise, it seeks to address critical regional and national issues, including productivity, innovation uptake, and economic inclusivity.

Professor Miller will take up her role as Chief Scientific Officer immediately within the newly formed leadership team. “I am thrilled to take on the role of Chief Scientific Officer for Unit M. I am passionate about generating tangible impact from our teaching, research and social responsibility activities.” Said Aline. “I look forward to working with our students, staff and external partners to unlock innovation growth opportunities to maximise the University’s impact on our region’s economy and society.”

Aline is Professor of Biomolecular Engineering and Associate Dean for Business Engagement and Innovation within the Faculty of Science and Engineering at ��. She is Director of the NW Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Catalyst – a £5m flagship programme supercharging the growth of careers, business and the regional economy, while delivering sustainable products and processes.

Aline’s academic achievements to date have earned her several notable awards, including recognition from the Royal Academy of Engineering, Women in Engineering, The Leverhulme Trust, and the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. Aline has also developed an impressive track record of securing funding and translating academic research into commercial and clinical applications through collaborations with a range of industry partners, from SMEs to large corporations.

She also co-founded a spin-out company, �� BIOGEL, which, under her leadership as CEO, secured over £4M in investment from Innovate UK, venture capital, private investors, and Catapult Venture Funds. The company grew to a team of 10, became revenue-generating, and achieved significant recognition, being listed among the Top 10 Biotech Start-Ups in Europe by Start-Up City in 2021 and winning Best New Life Science Product 2021. In 2023, �� BIOGEL successfully navigated an exit, with its technology being acquired by Cell Guidance Systems Ltd.

The announcement follows the recent appointment of Professor Lou Cordwell as CEO of Unit M.

Lou said: “We're thrilled to welcome Aline into the founding Unit M team. Her leadership experience both in her field and as a founder will be invaluable, alongside her passion for growing the calibre and profile of the region's start-up ecosystem."

Unit M is now live and actively engaging with entrepreneurs, investors, and changemakers eager to shape the future of the region.

For more information about Unit M and partnership opportunities, visit

Lou Cordwell OBE named as CEO of Unit M, ��’s new innovation powerhouse

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 08:00:00 +0000

�� has appointed Professor Lou Cordwell as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of , its newly launched initiative to connect the University with, and catalyse, the regional innovation ecosystem to drive inclusive growth.

Unit M is designed to address all aspects of the innovation challenge – from R&D through to innovation adoption through to talent and skills – by making the University’s world-class research, innovation assets and talent more accessible to all. It aims to address key regional and national challenges in productivity, innovation adoption, and economic inclusivity.

Earlier this year, Lou Cordwell OBE, was appointed Professor of Innovation at the ) at , and Special Advisor to the Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor. Lou brings a wealth of experience in fostering innovation, economic transformation, and cross-sector collaboration. As CEO, Lou will lead Unit M’s mission to maximise the University's impact for the benefit of the region’s economy and society.

Lou began her career working for WPP before founding the ��-based digital design studio magneticNorth (mN). In 2021, mN merged with Fluxx, creating the UK’s leading design and innovation consultancy, . She previously developed the strategic masterplan for Sister, one of Europe’s most ambitious innovation district projects. She has spent the past year jointly leading the University’s Regional Innovation Review, which provides an in-depth analysis and roadmap for how the University can create a world-class inclusive innovation ecosystem in the region.

Lou is also Chair of and an angel investor, particularly focusing on female tech founders. Lou was awarded an OBE in the 2018 New Year’s Honours for services to the creative and digital economy.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lou to lead Unit M,” said Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of Manchester. “Her leadership and expertise will be instrumental in ensuring Unit M achieves its ambitious goals of driving inclusive growth and strengthening ��’s position on the global innovation stage.”

Unit M’s launch comes at a pivotal time as the UK grapples with pressing economic challenges. By helping to accelerate the University’s impact, and leveraging ��’s strengths as a leading city for innovation, the initiative will foster dynamic partnerships, create new jobs, and attract investment while addressing social and economic inequalities.

Speaking of her new role Lou said: "I’m absolutely delighted to be asked to lead the Unit M team and mission. The University is one of the region’s most important innovation assets and the Unit M ambition to help drive innovation-led growth will be a central theme of the University's future strategy. I'm looking forward to working with colleagues across the University as well as local and global partners to deliver exciting new opportunities for our region."

Unit M will align with and complement existing innovation capabilities across the University, including the Innovation Factory, the Pankhurst Institute for Health Technology and the Turing Innovation Catalyst, as well its sector leading business engagement, student entrepreneurship, and flexible learning teams. It will act as the University’s interface into the region’s investment zone and innovation districts, including the University’s recently launched joint venture, Sister and the Atom Valley Mayoral Development Zone, along with other place-based partnerships. It will also partner closely with external capabilities, including the Greater �� Combined Authority (GMCA), local councils and other institutions.

Unit M is now live and actively engaging with entrepreneurs, investors, and changemakers eager to shape the future of the region.

For more information about Unit M and partnership opportunities, visit

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 ��. 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 ��'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.

Liverpool and �� universities pledge closer ties to power the North West economy

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 14:30:15 +0000

The University of Liverpool and �� have announced plans for closer collaboration that aim to spark innovation-led economic growth across the North West.

The two universities, which are both global leaders in a number of research disciplines, have revealed the new approach in support of efforts led by metro mayors Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram to unlock the full economic potential of Greater �� and the Liverpool city region.

It will see the universities work increasingly closely to create groundbreaking innovations and develop the future workforce in areas that align to the two city regions’ shared priorities for growth - drawing on academic expertise in areas as diverse as healthcare innovation, net zero and the creative industries.

Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor at the , said: “Liverpool and �� have an incredible history of shared innovation, from being linked by the world’s first inter-city railway nearly 200 years ago to having, today, some of the world’s best research and innovation capability in disciplines including health and chemistry.

“The metro mayors have highlighted the advantages of these two great city regions working closely together for the benefit of their communities and the wider North West, and the closer collaboration between the University of Liverpool and the University of Manchester will work in the same spirit.

“Both universities have outstanding strengths in research and teaching, and through this partnership we will redouble our efforts to direct those capabilities to supporting regional business, innovation and skills development.”

The plans were announced at an event hosted by the University of Liverpool’s Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place, held at the city’s St George’s Hall, where Mr Burnham and Mr Rotheram spoke about their plans to transform the North’s political and economic role in the UK.

It comes as both universities work alongside the metro mayors and other partners through the Liverpool-�� Railway Board to develop a brand new high speed rail link between the two cities.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of Manchester, said: “There is a tremendous synergy between our two universities – and our cities - where thousands of our staff and students are dedicated to developing the knowledge and innovation that holds the key to generating genuinely inclusive growth and culturally dynamic cities.

“Our commitment to greater collaboration announced today will start by focusing on the high-value industrial clusters that span both city regions, driving the innovation and providing the skills and workforce that those industries need to deliver economic growth.

“This builds on both universities’ world class research and teaching, including a number of existing areas of collaboration, to enhance the whole region’s appeal to potential employers and investors, and deliver tangible benefits to local communities.”

The collaboration will also see the two universities seek opportunities to jointly engage other universities and colleges across the North West where strengths in research and skills align to the city regions’ priorities for growth.

Plans will initially include strengthening joint work between the universities on:

Speciality chemicals and biomanufacturing, helping to build more sustainable supply chains for consumer products, and providing new routes to make medicines and vaccines.
Training the next generation of scientists and engineers for the civil nuclear industry in support of the transition to net zero
Supporting and developing industries of the future including quantum technology.
Supporting the two city regions’ renowned creative industries, including a focus on music and literature, emphasising the role of creativity in enriching lives

University partner wins prestigious award for sustainable materials innovation for net-zero

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 16:44:16 +0000

Ecobelt Ltd, a University partner, has won an award from the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining in recognition of its use of sustainable materials innovation to reach net-zero.

Formed to challenge and disrupt the global conveyor belt market, Ecobelt Ltd is an environmentally ambitious company that champions environmental sustainability and fosters a circular life-cycle approach for belting use.

In the UK alone, 4,000 tonnes of conveyor belts are incinerated or sent to landfill every week.

The ‘Sustainable Materials Innovation for Net-zero’ award recognises Ecobelt’s patented innovative belt splice technology to address the main cause of belt failure. The technology extends belt lifespan from months to years, therefore improving the upstream sustainability by reducing the demand for new belts.

Through partnership and collaboration with ��—supported by its UKRI Impact Acceleration Account and the Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub at the Henry Royce Institute—Ecobelt tested the performance of their technology to develop an approach to repair damaged conveyor belts, employing a whole life-cycle environmental impact approach.

The judges from the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining commended Ecobelt’s technology, citing the robust research base and collaboration with partners as key indicators to Ecobelt’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

Conveyor belts service virtually all consumer products, production and manufacturing facilities globally, driving a market valued at $6 billion (USD) annually, fuelled by e-commerce and industry 4.0.

Despite this, the industry has been remarkably stagnant in relation to innovation, sustainability and the manufacturing process of materials used in conveyor belts. As conveyor belts are fossil fuel based, manufacturing consumes huge natural resources whilst producing significant Greenhouse Gases – an issue that Ecobelt seeks to change.

Whilst Ecobelt’s next steps for commercial scale up are still unfolding, the technology’s potential for lasting impact in the industrial settings are clear.

Professor Michael Shaver, Director of the Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub said: “Our world is driven – both literally and figuratively – by conveyor belts. Yet we don’t think of them as essential in championing �� as a sustainable city.

“Our eyes have been opened by this hidden gem of a local business: Ecobelt have tackled an invisible material flow that is essential to keeping our manufacturing and delivery systems moving by improving material repair, reuse and circularity. It has been a privilege to work on assessing the AnnStuMax technology and quantifying its impressive environmental credentials.”

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 ��, supporting all University of Manchester students, staff and recent graduates, across all subject disciplines.

Vice-Chancellor visits Cambridge to advance innovation partnership

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 10:40:57 +0000

President and Vice-Chancellor Duncan Ivison visited Cambridge to build on the partnership between �� and the University of Cambridge established last year.

The collaboration between the two universities, which are both located in UK innovation hotspots, aims to boost growth and turbocharge a more inclusive economy, so everyone can benefit from the opportunities created by innovation.

Professor Ivison visited Cambridge as part of a delegation led by Mayor of Greater ��, Andy Burnham, which also included the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson, and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, Professor Deborah Prentice.

Also representing �� was Professor Richard Jones, Vice-President for Regional Innovation and Civic Engagement and Professor Lou Cordwell, OBE, Professor of Innovation.

During his visit, Professor Ivison toured the Cambridge West Innovation District and paid a visit to the Cambridge Graphene Centre.

Graphene was first isolated at �� in 2004, earning Professor Sir Andre Geim and Professor Sir Kostya Novoselov the Nobel Prize in Physics. Two decades on, this wonder material has incredible potential to revolutionise how we live and it is being piloted for a breadth of medical and engineering purposes.

The visiting delegation also paid a visit to AstraZeneca’s Discovery Centre (DISC), a state-of-the-art research facility. The biopharmaceutical giant is set to extend its ‘AstraZeneca Exchange’ science and business mentoring programme to �� entrepreneurs, helping early-stage life sciences businesses to develop their ideas and connect with scientific and commercial experts within the company.

The Glasshouse, a new innovation hub for Innovate Cambridge, was also officially opened by the Mayors. Academics, business and civil leaders from Cambridge and �� also attended the event to celebrate the collaboration between the two universities and Innovate Cambridge.

Professor Ivison said: “To keep the UK at the forefront of a truly inclusive growth agenda, we need to supercharge innovation - linking capital, talent, and research in ways that drive new economic growth.

“Working collaboratively, the partnership will build on the strengths of both cities’ universities and innovation ecosystems to deliver real benefits for our regions and beyond. Our ambition is to power an inclusive economy, positioning �� and Cambridge as central players on the global stage to accelerate growth for all in society.”

The partnership is the first of its kind, and it aims to build closer relations between universities and research institutions, attract more investment and speed up the growth of start and scale-ups.

Chair of Greater �� Business Board and Professor of Innovation at the University of Manchester, Lou Cordwell, said: “This partnership is a groundbreaking initiative – bringing together two of the UK’s leading innovation cities to help us achieve more. Whether it’s researchers, entrepreneurs, established businesses or investors, we want to support a flow of innovation between our two places.

“Hearing from the Mayors, local leaders, businesses and universities today, the scale of the opportunity and level of ambition was clear and we’re excited to take the partnership further.”

Mayor of Greater ��, Andy Burnham, said: “Greater �� and Cambridge are two world-renowned centres of innovation. This partnership is breaking new ground, creating strong new ties between the North of England and the Golden Triangle to drive regional and national economic growth.

“Our two places have distinct identities and unique strengths, but we also have a lot in common – world-leading universities and dynamic, fast-growing economies. We also share an ambition for growth that benefits everyone, with more people and businesses able to access the opportunities created by innovation. By working together, we can be greater than the sum of our parts.”

The Vice-Chancellor’s trip to Cambridge followed hot on the heels of the new government’s first Budget, in which research and development (R&D) is cited as one of the Chancellor’s key priorities. An increase in public R&D investment of £20.4billion in 2025/26 was announced in addition to a boosted budget of £13.9billion for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

The partnership between �� and the University of Cambridge aims to plot a new way forward for R&D and innovation-led growth.

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

University welcomes Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 12:20:32 +0100

Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore (DPM) and Chairman of the National Research Foundation, recently visited ��, as part of a working visit to the United Kingdom.

While on campus, DPM Heng and his delegation explored opportunities for future collaboration, particularly in the space of R&D and innovation. The visit to �� was the only non-London element of the DPM’s UK visit, alongside Cambridge; they visited the city due to its effective innovation ecosystem evident in the relationship between the university, businesses and local government.

DPM Heng observed a briefing by the and the before having dinner with President and Vice-Chancellor, Duncan Ivison. He also visited the �� Fuel Cell Innovation Centre and met with the UK Biobank.

As part of his visit to the city, DPM Heng met with Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater ��, to discuss views on how government, academia, finance, industry and talent can come together to grow vibrant and integrated innovation ecosystems.

�� has a longstanding relationship with Singapore, welcoming many Singaporean students each year. Undergraduate exchange agreements are in place with the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University.

The International Development Division at �� maintains good relationships with the various institutions across Singapore and arranges several visits to Singapore each year for colleagues from Faculties and Schools.

The International Development Division also has close links with the Singapore Students’ Society of Manchester who act as ambassadors at events, and there are also close ties with the active University of Manchester Alumni Group.

The Alliance �� Business School (AMBS) has had a presence in Singapore since 1992 and opened the , in Singapore, in 1999; with 400 active students and 1,500 alumni, the Centre offers MBA course and Masters Degrees.

The South East Asia Centre participated in the University’s bicentenary event, Light Up, in January 2024, by gathering current students and esteemed alumni for a jubilant reception.

New study to deepen understanding of a weight loss medication

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 12:30:54 +0100

Health Innovation �� and �� has today (14 October 2024) announced a groundbreaking strategic partnership with Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) to initiate a five-year real-world evidence study (SURMOUNT-REAL UK), subject to relevant approvals.

The announcement has been made as part of a collaboration agreed between Lilly and UK Government today, unveiled at the Government’s International Investment Summit.

The study will evaluate the real-world effectiveness of tirzepatide in weight loss, diabetes prevention, and prevention of obesity-related complications for adults with obesity.

The evidence generated will seek to increase the global evidence base on the long-term impacts of weight loss medicines and potentially inform the UK's care pathway approach to the treatment of obesity. Significantly, the five-year study will also aim to collect data on healthcare resource utilisation, health-related quality of life and changes in participants’ employment status and sick days from work.

Health Innovation �� has worked with the University of Manchester and local digital trials company NorthWest EHealth to develop the study approach.

Mayor of Greater ��, Andy Burnham, said: “Greater �� is worldrenowned as a hub for innovation in health and life sciences. The results of the trial announced today could have a far-reaching impact on how we treat obesity globally, and our city-region is ready to make a significant contribution through our outstanding health data assets, R&D expertise, and the strong partnerships between industry, universities and public sector organisations.

“The International Investment Summit will provide an opportunity to showcase our local strengths in health innovation to an audience of global business leaders and investors. This partnership could be the first of many and give Greater �� residents access to other innovative treatments.”

Professor Rachel Batterham, Senior Vice President for International Medical Affairs at Lilly, said: “At Lilly, we are deeply committed to improving lives by partnering across the health system to address complex health challenges like obesity. We’re delighted to partner with Health Innovation �� on our plans for the SURMOUNT-REAL UK study. This collaboration will add to the evidence base on the real world impact of obesity treatments on the health of people with obesity, and will explore a broad range of outcomes including health-related quality of life and impact on individuals’ employment status.”

, Professor of Cardiometabolic Medicine, University of Manchester, and principal investigator for the Greater �� study, said: “This five-year real-world study aims to demonstrate the long-term efficacy and safety profile of tirzepatide in a primary care setting compared to usual care. It will specifically quantify the medicine’s long-term effects on obesity, diabetes incidence, and obesity-related complications, as well as its impacts on employment and health economic outcomes.”

Ben Bridgewater, CEO at Health Innovation ��, commented: “Greater �� (GM) is well placed to deliver novel trials and real-world evidence studies to develop a deeper understanding of the impact that industry-led innovation can have on population health. Through this landmark partnership with Lilly we will show how a medicine impacts people’s long-term health outcomes. This will help us understand its effects people with obesity in GM as well as inform national strategies and pave the way for further research and development in this critical area.”

Mark Britnell, Chair of Health Innovation ��, said: “Owing to our strengths in life sciences, academia and digital, Greater �� has all the ingredients to be truly world-leading in health innovation. This is demonstrated through our partnership with Lilly, which will help to propel our sector strengths even further forward for the benefit of local patients.”

Mark Fisher, CEO of the NHS Greater �� Integrated Care Board, said: “Around 600,000 adults in Greater �� live with obesity, many of whom also suffer with other obesity-related illnesses which reduces their quality of life and puts additional pressure on the health and care system. Working collaboratively with industry to solve these problems is paramount, and I am delighted to support the study coming to the Greater �� integrated care system.”

Jonathan Wogel, Chief Executive Officer, NorthWest EHealth, said: “We are excited to be partnering with our colleagues at Health Innovation �� to deliver this new study which is aimed at generating data to support patients with obesity. It is not only a milestone for NWEH and Greater �� (GM), but a significant moment for the UK clinical trials industry. By combining GM’s well established health system with our innovative technology, we are demonstrating the future of clinical trials, where technology and health data integrate to make research more efficient, helping develop and deliver better care for patients.”

University of Manchester launches Unit M to supercharge inclusive growth

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 09:00:00 +0100

New specialist function will transform how the University partners with startups, scale ups and industry to strengthen the region’s innovation ecosystem .
Launching today, Unit M designed to drive regional innovation as an immediate step to solve the UK’s growth and productivity challenge.

�� is today launching a new capability, , to rethink how it supports the region’s innovation economy. With a mandate to drive the University’s new approach to innovation, Unit M will connect and catalyse the innovation ecosystem in �� and the wider region to accelerate inclusive growth.

The UK faces a myriad of interlinked urgent economic and social challenges which require faster and more inclusive growth across all parts of the country. Cities like ��, as the UK’s second largest city, are critical to rebalancing growth - but lower productivity, R&D spend and startup activity currently hinder the region in achieving its full potential.

“The transformative potential of fully embracing innovation cannot be understated, both for the region and for the UK more widely” says Duncan Ivison, President and Vice Chancellor of Manchester. “Unit M lies at the heart of the University’s ambition to power an inclusive economy, positioning �� as a central player on the global stage to accelerate growth for all in society.”

Unit M is designed to address all aspects of the innovation challenge - from R&D through to innovation adoption through to talent and skills - by making the world leading innovation assets and talents of the University more accessible to all. Unit M will drive a new strategy for the University to create a globally leading innovation ecosystem in the region. This will encompass powering the start up and scale up community, catalysing industry clusters, leading future skills provision, strengthening the University’s partnerships within the region, and telling ��’s innovation story.

Examples of some of the activities that Unit M will undertake include:

Creating accelerator and incubator programmes and building investor networks for the startup and scale up community;
Developing regional innovation clusters and innovation partnerships to attract new innovation-intensive businesses to the region;
A new lifelong approach to skills - from expanding scientific/technological skills provision for students, to training executive leaders on innovation adoption;
Rethinking the University’s approach to R&D to be more flexible and responsive to industry demand

Unit M will have the agility to operate dynamically in response to the most impactful opportunities as they emerge - whether that’s connecting students into the ecosystem or drawing on expertise from across the whole University to help solve real world challenges from industry.

“�� has experienced major change over the past 30 years, but not everyone has benefited from rising prosperity”, said Mayor of Greater ��, Andy Burnham. “Now, more than ever, we need to pioneer a new model of regional collaboration that harnesses our industrial strengths and innovation capabilities. Unit M will not only foster inclusive growth throughout Greater ��, but contribute to the broader prosperity of the UK.”

Unit M is live from today, and will be rapidly scaling over the coming months. The team is seeking to connect with entrepreneurs, investors, changemakers and business leaders who are interested in partnering with the University.

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “�� has always been a hotbed of innovation. Building on our existing strengths is vital to ��, and Greater ��, accelerating our growth at scale to generate more jobs and investment. With Unit M, �� is doing exactly that - doubling down on innovation while encouraging even more collaboration with our business community. Further strengthening the city's innovation ecosystem will help create jobs, investment and growth that works for everyone.”

Unit M will align with and complement existing capabilities across the University, including the University’s tech transfer office, The Innovation Factory, The Pankhurst Institute for Health Technology and the Turing Innovation Catalyst and its sector leading business engagement, student entrepreneurship, and flexible learning teams. It will also partner closely with external capabilities, including the Greater �� Combined Authority (GMCA), local councils and other institutions.

By convening these existing innovation services across the University and its key strategic partners, Unit M will accelerate and drive the development of new opportunities to build a strong innovation economy throughout the region.

University of Manchester Innovation Factory announces strong end of year results

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 14:35:35 +0100

The (UoMIF) has announced promising end-of-year results for the 2023/2024 financial year despite challenging market conditions.

UoMIF has met or exceeded several key performance targets, reinforcing its commitment to fostering innovation in �� and supporting the commercialisation of cutting-edge research to benefit society.

Innovation Factory is ��’s commercialisation arm, dedicated to translating research into commercial opportunities while working closely with academics, industry partners and investors to create and support spinout companies and license cutting-edge technologies.

Over the past year, UoMIF successfully launched seven new spinout companies which span a diverse range of sectors, showcasing the breadth of innovative research emerging from ��. These include: Haliogen Power Limited, Plant Organelle Technologies Limited, Oncodrug Limited, VariantValidator Limited, CASA Space Technologies Limited, Kavarney Limited – with CGSkin recently acquired by Skin Diary Limited as well.

In addition to success in setting up spinouts, UoMIF secured £2.3million in licensing income. Future growth in this space looks positive too, with ongoing negotiations and potential deals progressing.

UoMIF has also secured £9.2million in first investments for new University spinouts, significantly exceeding its target of £5million. This success reflects the growth of investor confidence in high-potential technologies developed within the University.

Commenting on the year-end results, Catherine Headley, CEO of the University of Manchester Innovation Factory, said: "This year’s performance is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team and the remarkable talent within ��.

“The successful launch of seven new spinouts and the exceptional level of investment secured are clear indicators that our innovation ecosystem is thriving. While there is room for growth in our licensing income, we are confident that the foundations laid this year will lead to significant future opportunities. We remain committed to supporting our researchers in transforming their groundbreaking ideas into impactful, real-world solutions."

Luke Georghiou, Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Manchester, said: “The Innovation Factory plays a crucial role in transforming our academic breakthroughs into tangible societal benefits. The success of this year’s spinouts and the remarkable level of investment secured are clear evidence of the impact the Innovation Factory is having.

“These results demonstrate the University’s continued commitment to driving technology and entrepreneurship and it highlights the vital place that �� has in leading the world’s innovations. I commend the entire team at UoMIF for their outstanding achievements this year ensuring that �� remains at the forefront of research commercialisation.”

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.

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 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

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.

£1.7bn innovation district and neighbourhood in �� opens its doors and reveals new name, Sister

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 09:00:00 +0100

Previously known as ID ��, the science and technology innovation district that will be delivered over the next 15 years, unveils its new name, Sister
Sister announces the opening of its first building, the Renold Building, with its first customer, Sustainable Ventures, joining the innovation hub in November
As a key part of the GM Investment Zone, Sister is predicted to generate over 10,000 on-site full-time jobs and contribute around £1.5 billion to the economy every year in ��

��’s new £1.7bn innovation district and neighbourhood opens the doors to its first building, while unveiling its new name as . The district has also announced its first customer, Sustainable Ventures, Europe's leading climate tech hub, which will officially move into the Renold Building in November.

Previously known as ID ��, Sister is a joint venture between �� and . The project will see the transformation of the University’s former North campus into a 4 million sq ft globally competitive innovation district and will help elevate ��’s position as a national centre for science and technology.

Sister will specialise in advancing innovation across sectors including digital tech, health innovation, biotechnology, advanced materials and manufacturing. It will provide access to state of the art facilities, connecting early-stage high growth potential businesses with investors, while creating a collaborative ecosystem that enables UK and global businesses to benefit from cutting edge innovation.

Driving economic growth and creating opportunities for local communities

Sister is primed to be a catalyst for economic growth and prosperity across the North of England, and is projected to contribute around £1.5bn GVA per annum to ��. More than just a development project, the district aims to create a positive social impact through the generation of a large portion of high-quality employment opportunities, including over 10,000 on-site full-time equivalent jobs and accessible routes to education, training and apprenticeships for local people.

Over 1,500 new homes will be delivered, alongside over 2 million sq ft of commercial, innovation, retail and leisure space. Within 9 acres of public realm space, Sister will also create a new civic square for �� and feature a variety of new and enhanced green spaces for local communities to access and enjoy.

Reinventing a historic educational building for tomorrow's leading businesses

The opening of the Renold Building marks the first phase of the ambitious 15 year project and is supported by funding through the Greater �� Investment Zone, of which the district is a key initiative supporting the growth of the advanced materials and manufacturing sector.

The 110,000 sq ft newly renovated building has been transformed into an innovation hub, celebrating its history as a purpose-built teaching facility and centre for science and technology excellence. To support the growth and scale-up of early-stage start-ups and spin-outs, the Renold Building will provide a range of low and no-cost coworking facilities, private office suites, as well as a community cafe and flexible event spaces accessible to local businesses and community groups.

The first customer to move on site this November is Sustainable Ventures, which helps climate start-ups and entrepreneurs scale through investment, workspaces and venture support. Sustainable Ventures will expand its presence outside of its London headquarters, currently Europe’s largest climate tech hub, by occupying three floors of the Renold Building.

It will be joined by a number of University innovation initiatives at the Renold Building, including the Turing Innovation Catalyst ��, accelerating the growth of AI-start-ups; the Christabel Pankhurst Institute for health technology research and innovation; and the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Catalyst, a cross-sector collaboration to empower the growth of biotechnology businesses.

Following the opening of the Renold Building, Sister will soon announce plans for the district’s first major development zone, set to include new commercial workspace, a mix of retail and leisure facilities and new public realm spaces.

A model for successful public-private collaboration

Sister is leveraging successful cross-industry partnerships to become a major economic enabler for the future of the city. The district is one of the key strengths in the GM Investment Zone, which will invest £160 million in projects that increase growth and innovation in the region over the next 10 years and sees central and local government work closely with businesses, higher education institutions and other local partners. Key to delivering Sister’s long-term economic impact is the city region’s strong local leadership and support from industry investment, including through the Bruntwood SciTech joint venture between Bruntwood, Legal & General and Greater �� Pension Fund, now the UK’s largest dedicated property platform dedicated to the growth of the knowledge economy.

Why Sister?

The name, Sister, represents the close bond between industry and academia and expresses an ethos of collaboration, openness and the use of knowledge to solve problems. It builds on the heritage of the former academic campus, once home to the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST), and represents a vision to create an ecosystem of like-minded companies, institutions, districts and cities to drive innovation forward and help tackle some of the world’s greatest challenges.

Bradley Topps, Project Director, Sister and Chief Commercial Officer, Bruntwood SciTech, said: “Sister is founded on the belief that it takes a community to raise an idea and that although ideas may appear in a single mind, they flourish when people come together. This new district marks a new chapter in ��’s history of science and innovation. Over the next 15 years, we’re dedicated to developing an inclusive space that connects talent, investment, education and enterprise, providing the perfect conditions for ideas to spark, collaboration to flourish, and world-changing innovations to scale.”

John Holden, Associate Vice-President, �� and Executive Committee Member, Sister said: “The opening of the Renold Building is a major milestone in the development of Sister, capitalising on ��’s research, innovation and education capabilities to catalyse the growth of successful science and technology start-ups. Sister will be home to some of the most exciting businesses in the UK developing solutions to help tackle society's biggest challenges. We're excited to open the doors to a vibrant new innovation district that will drive growth for ambitious start-ups and scale-ups, attract new science and technology companies to ��, and create new opportunities for our staff, students and local communities.”

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “This is a significant moment for ��. The fact that Sister will ultimately create 10,000 jobs and add £1.5 billion a year to the city’s economy underlines its scale and the sheer ambition behind this major new district. This development will add to ��’s thriving innovation ecosystem and, true to the heritage of a site from which great ideas and innovations have previously sprung, will help keep the city in the forefront of future innovation.”

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater ��, said: “Sister will be a thriving innovation district at the heart of Greater ��. With the Renold Building opening and welcoming its first occupier, we’re seeing the first signs of what this area will become – a home for start-ups, innovation-led businesses, universities, researchers and investors, where the clustering effect helps create jobs and opportunities. Sister is also a key site for our Investment Zone, which is supporting the growth of the advanced materials and manufacturing sector. Our city-region has been a centre of scientific and technological innovation for two centuries and places like Sister are where the next chapter of that story is written.”

CEO of Sustainable Ventures, Andrew Wordsworth, said: “We're thrilled to grow Sustainable Ventures' footprint in the UK by establishing a presence in Sister, at the heart of the UK’s second-largest tech ecosystem. This partnership empowers us to supercharge climate tech innovation across The North, bringing workspace, investment and a wealth of expertise to the region’s pioneering startups and entrepreneurs. The climate tech companies we’ve supported to date have already created over 6,000 jobs and we hope to replicate that economic growth within the region over the next few years.”

The Skin Diary acquires CGSkin in mission to shake up skincare space

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 10:37:44 +0100

The Skin Diary, the anti-ageing skincare solutions provider, has acquired CGSkin Limited, a spinout born from the collaborative efforts of Manchester and renowned dermatologists, Dr Tamara Griffiths and Professor Chris Griffiths.

This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone for the brands in their pursuit of dermatological research advancement and skincare innovation. will be launching the first of the CGSkin products, Night Repair Therapy on 25 October 2024. Night Repair Therapy is a true innovation designed to regenerate and rebuild collagen and elastin in prematurely aged skin without irritation.

Founded in 2023 by leading researchers in skin ageing, The Skin Diary is modernising skincare through its innovative product Chapters. The Skin Diary offers prescription-grade skincare routines that leverage skin cycling to deliver optimal outcomes to patients while minimising irritation.

CGSkin, a University of Manchester spinout, is built on a decade of rigorous research and collaboration between the University and eminent dermatologists Dr Tamara Griffiths and Professor Chris Griffiths. Their suite of anti-ageing products has undergone exhaustive testing to the highest standards, including unprecedented human skin biopsy studies.

With the acquisition of CGSkin, The Skin Diary is set apart from other skincare brands due to its academic lineage and the expertise of its founders. Professor Chris Griffiths is a distinguished figure in skin research; his seminal research on topical retinoids has made a huge impact on the field of skin ageing. Dr Tamara Griffiths brings invaluable aesthetic science expertise to the partnership.

Only 8.6% of the skincare market is dispensed by physicians, and Chapters provides patients with a fully personalised profile with continuous access to dermatologists through their Skin Diary portal.

Catherine Headley, CEO of the said: “This acquisition exemplifies the spirit of innovation, something that is part of the foundation of Manchester. Impact like this doesn’t happen overnight; it can be many years in the making. Everyone at the Innovation Factory is proud to see Professor and Dr Griffiths and their research welcomed into The Skin Diary family and we are honoured to have been able to support them on their journey.”

“The acquisition of CGSkin by The Skin Diary is a testament to our dedication to providing patients with the most effective and innovative skincare solutions,” said Dr Clare Kiely, Chief Medical Officer of the Skin Diary. “We are excited to integrate CGSkin’s ground-breaking products into our portfolio, furthering our mission to empower individuals with access to advanced anti-ageing treatments.”

Skincare is the leading sector in a thriving beauty market, accounting for 40% in . Growing awareness of physician-dispensed cosmeceuticals means there is increasing demand for prescription-grade skincare options too.

To find out more about The Skin Diary, visit .

University of Manchester recognised for spinout best practice by Research England

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 15:15:19 +0100

�� is proud to be included in the initial list of adopting institutions for the UK Government's spinout best practices, as published today by , UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The recognition follows on from the publication of the in November 2023, which highlighted the pivotal role UK universities play in driving economic growth and societal impact through the commercialisation of intellectual property developed from university-based research.

The 2023 review outlined recommendations for building a world-leading innovation ecosystem in the UK. In response, �� has committed to aligning its spinout practices with these recommendations, reinforcing its dedication to supporting innovation.

Luke Georghiou, Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at ��, and the institution’s lead for innovation, said: "�� has been and remains committed to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within our faculties and among our students. By adopting the recommendations from the Independent Review, we are aligning our practices with national goals to create a world-class innovation ecosystem.”

The is the commercialisation arm of Manchester, dedicated to transforming world-class research into commercial ventures that have a positive impact on society.

The Innovation Factory collaborates with academics, industry partners, and investors to develop and support spinout companies, license cutting-edge technologies and drive innovation across various sectors.

The UKRI announcement is available .

Assessment shows University of Manchester continues to be a national leader in knowledge exchange

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0100

�� has achieved the highest possible score for its work with intellectual property and commercialisation, research partnerships and public and community engagement in the latest Knowledge Exchange Framework rating by Research England.

The KEF provides information about the broad ranging knowledge exchange activities of English HE Providers, such as the way universities work with external partners, from businesses to community groups, for the benefit of the economy and society.

�� supports the full range of knowledge exchange activities through public engagement, supporting businesses and commercialising research towards next generation technologies. Students, staff, partners and local communities all play a key role in ensuring that the University makes a positive societal and economic impact.

The KEF allows universities to better understand their own performance and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. HE Providers are placed into a cluster of peers, grouping together universities of similar types, with �� placed in a group of 18 large, research-intensive universities including Oxford and Imperial.

��’s performance in continuous professional development and Graduate Startups, which is supported by the work of the and , received an enhanced rating of high engagement in KEF4, and �� now sits above the cluster group average.

�� also continues to receive the highest rating for Research Partnerships, where the University is placed above the cluster group average. This recognises the work of the University’s Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange team.

The excellent performance of the in licensing, IP income, investment and turnover of spinouts continues to be recognised with the highest rating in IP and Commercialisation.

The University also received the highest rating for Public Engagement, and includes our achievements in volunteering, festivals, citizen science, and engagement with communities through our cultural institutions, , , , and the .

Professor Luke Georghiou, Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said: “Knowledge exchange is a core priority for ��. We shall continue to ensure that our research, teaching and social responsibility activities benefit the economy and society at local, national and global levels.”

You can view each university’s performances on the .

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. �� 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 Manchester; Lynn Sheppard, Masood Entrepreneurship Centre Director; Jessica McCreadie, Investment Director at Northern Gritstone; James Baker, CEO Graphene @�� at ��; and Gareth Jones, Project Manager - Electronics at the University of Manchester 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 ��, 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 ��'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 ��, 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 ��'s entrepreneurial spirit by stating, "�� 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.

Independent Review of University Spin-out Companies

Thu, 23 May 2024 09:45:52 +0100

�� welcomed the Independent Review of University Spin-out Companies published in November 2023. The Review set out the important contribution that UK universities are making to the economy and society, through commercialisation of intellectual property generated by their research. The recommendations provide important guidance on the pathway to building a world-leading innovation ecosystem and the University is now taking steps to implement the recommendations from the Review.

As an active member of the group of international leaders in university research commercialisation, and co-author of the and , launched on 20^th May, we recognise the distinction between intellectual property intensive areas such as the life sciences and the simpler pathway for some software commercialisation and sets out practical ways to improve the speed and efficiency of spin out formation. We have therefore initiated a review of intellectual property policies and practice, in collaboration with our partners in the Northern Gritstone investment company, which was established as a positive response to the high concentration of VC funding in London to provide VC funding in the North.

Innovation is a core theme for the University and our ambition is to create a thriving innovation ecosystem, which supports our entrepreneurs, spin outs and partners to start up, secure investment and scale, contributing positively to the prosperity of our region. Working through our technology transfer subsidiary, the , we have produced 29 spinouts in the past three years and remain committed to providing the optimal environment for entrepreneurs to develop their ideas. Our policy review and founder friendly approach and commitment to supporting spin outs, will catalyse growth of a vibrant regional ecosystem which supports companies to grow and scale.

Our joint venture partnership with Bruntwood Scitech to develop our North Campus into an Innovation District, will additionally provide an anchor location for our spin outs to establish and succeed within our own community, with an opportunity to access space, investors, facilities, partners, business support and networks within one location.

Professor Luke Georghiou, Deputy President and Vice-Chancellor and lead for Innovation said: “The Spin-out Review showed the vital role of universities in generating IP-Rich companies in the advanced areas most likely to revitalise our economy. We will use its recommendations as a platform to double down on bringing leading edge discoveries to the market.”

World-first analytical Transmission Electron Microscope being developed by �� materials scientists

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 09:22:31 +0100

�� scientists are developing a world-first Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) that integrates cutting-edge imaging and spectroscopy with artificial intelligence and automated workflows (AutomaTEM).

While existing TEMs can image atomic scale structure and chemistry, the time-consuming nature of the technique means the typical regions of interest (ROI) - areas of the sample selected for further analysis - are very limited. The AutomaTEM will resolve this, improving the ability to find and analyse, reducing time incurred while increasing the ROI. As a result, it will accelerate innovation in materials applications for quantum computing, low power electronics, and new catalysts to support the energy transition, all which are currently held back by the limitations of current technology.

The AutomaTEM development is funded through a £9.5 million project supported by ��, The Henry Royce Institute, bp and EPSRC, in collaboration with manufacturer Thermo Fisher Scientific. The �� team, led by Professor Sarah Haigh, will merge TEM’s existing atomic scale elemental and chemical mapping capabilities together with emerging developments in automation and data analysis to create the AutomaTEM; an instrument that can acquire huge data sets of local chemical information in days rather than years.

Prof , Professor of Materials Characterisation at �� and Director of the Electron Microscopy Centre (EMC), said: "Understanding atomic detail at the micrometer or millimeter scale is crucial for developing materials for various applications, from catalysis and quantum technologies to nuclear energy and pharmaceuticals.

"This system is not simply another TEM instrument. It will provide new opportunities for atomic scale investigation of materials with less human intervention. For the first time we will be able to enable atomic resolution analysis of hundreds of regions of interest in a matter of hours, providing unprecedented insights into sparse defects and heterogeneous materials."

Designed with artificial intelligence and automated workflows at its core, the AutomaTEM boasts several cutting-edge features, including:

Computer control to automatically adjust the sample stage and beam to address specific regions of interest, enabling detailed high-resolution imaging and diffraction-based analysis without continuous operator interaction.
Machine learning integration to segment lower resolution data and build functional relationships between experimental results, enhancing the identification of novel features.
A world-leading Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) system with exceptional collection efficiency, providing precise compositional analysis.
A new high-performance electron energy loss spectrometer (EELS) design for chemical analysis of diverse species in complex systems.

Custom built, it is being developed in collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific and will arrive in summer 2025. The global laboratory equipment manufacturer has provided Professor Haigh’s team access to the necessary API control, and will supply an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) system with a world-leading collection efficiency of 4.5 srad.

The AutomaTEM will be housed in ��'s state-of-the-art (EMC), one of the largest in the UK. The EMC already has 6 transmission electron microscopes (TEMs), 13 scanning electron microscopes (SEMs), and 6 focussed ion beam (FIB) instruments. It supports more than 500 internal users, from 12 different University of Manchester Departments, and welcomes users from institutes across the world, including Cardiff, Durham, Queen Mary and �� Metropolitan universities, University of Cape Town (SA), Ceres Power, Nexperia, Nanoco, bp, Johnson Matthey, Oxford Instruments, and UKAEA.

AutomaTEM will be available to external users for free proof of principle academic projects for up to 30 per cent of its total use during the first three years to help foster collaboration and advance research capabilities.

, Royal Society University Research Fellow at ��, who is leading co-investigator on the project, said: "The faster, more accurate analysis capabilities of AutomaTEM represent a significant leap forward in materials science research.

“With the potential to impact various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and semiconductor, the AutomaTEM aims to support the UK’s position at the forefront of materials science innovation.”

Today’s announcement consolidates ��’s reputation at the forefront of advanced materials research. Home to highest concentration of materials scientists in UK academia, it hosts several national centres for Advanced Materials research including the Henry Royce Institute - the UK national institute for Advanced Materials Research; the bp-ICAM, a global partnership to enable the effective application of advanced materials for the transition to net zero; the National Centre for X-ray Computational Tomography; and the National Graphene Institute, the world-leading interdisciplinary centre for graphene and 2D materials research.

University of Manchester, Boots And No7 beauty company renew 20-year partnership to supercharge skin science advancements

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 11:15:12 +0100

No7 Beauty Company and Boots today announce the renewal of their 20-year, multi-million-pound partnership with the University of Manchester Centre for Dermatology Research for a further five years. The partnership has accelerated discoveries in skin science and paved the way for game-changing skincare products that have fuelled the growth and reputation of the British beauty industry globally.

The renewed commitment will help Boots and No7 Beauty Company continue to break new ground in helping people care for their skin throughout their life, whether it is maintaining skin health, helping to combat skin ageing or supporting people through significant skin changes such as those resulting from the menopause. It will also further strengthen their market leading cosmetic science innovation pipeline, which has delivered product innovations generating waiting lists of up to 100,000 people, physical queues outside Boots stores and surges in visits to boots.com.

The announcement was made at a special event held at the University, which celebrated some of the partnership’s most significant scientific milestones, including the launch of its biggest scientific breakthrough to date; the ground-breaking No7 Future Renew skincare range. The range was launched exactly one year ago this week and was developed following 15 years of research and development between scientists at both organisations, resulting in the discovery of a world-first super peptide blend formulated into a best-selling range and serum that is clinically proven to reverse visible signs of skin damage. This innovation has taken the beauty industry by storm, with the Future Renew serum becoming a global bestseller and the biggest ever beauty launch in the UK. In the UK, there were more than 500,000 transactions in the first four weeks, and a year later, one product is still sold every seven seconds.

The collaboration renewal also coincides with both institutions celebrating landmark anniversaries; with Boots marking its 175th anniversary and �� reaching its 200 year milestone in 2024.

Mark Winter, Managing Director, No7 Beauty Company, said: “We are incredibly proud of our longstanding partnership with the UoM’s Centre for Dermatology Research and excited for the next phase of our collaboration. Scientific innovation is part of our DNA and by working with world-leading partners like the University of Manchester we are committed to using our unrivalled research expertise to be at the forefront of skincare and cosmetic innovation, developing ground-breaking, clinically proven, affordable products that work for everyone.”

The event was attended by representatives from both institutions, including Ornella Barra, Chief Operating Officer, International, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc and Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor, ��.

from �� said: “We are delighted to be able to continue our partnership with Boots and to pursue our shared aims of uncovering new insights into skin biology and applying this knowledge to repairing accumulated damage.”

, also from �� said: "Our longstanding partnership with Boots has enabled us to explore the depths of skin science while delivering real-world benefits to consumers through clinical translational research. We are thrilled to continue this collaboration, advancing innovation and enhancing skin health for all individuals."

Where it all began
The partnership was established twenty years ago by a small team of No7 and University of Manchester scientists. The ambition was to come together to create cutting-edge skincare solutions that could be taken from the laboratory straight to the high street. One of the first innovations was the renowned No7 Protect & Perfect serum. The serum famously featured in a BBC Horizon programme in 2007, where the efficacy of the serum was verified by independent dermatologists, leading to the product selling out in Boots stores throughout the UK.

Fast forward to 2024 and today, the collaboration has caught the eyes of the scientific community and the Government. It has also:

Led to 10 patents being filed, with more in the pipeline
Resulted in over 100 academic publications including 60 peer reviewed papers published in scientific journals
Helped to upskill thousands of beauty advisors and pharmacists within Boots stores
Supported a UK talent pipeline of brilliant entrepreneurial scientists – many of whom are female
Significantly raised the reputation of bioscience research in the UK and in particular in the North West
Helped put No7 on the global map with distribution now extending to over a dozen countries including Australia, the Nordics and the US
Created effective collaborations both in the UK and internationally with the likes of Imperial College London, Kings College, Newcastle, York and Liverpool universities, as well as internationally with Johns Hopkins.

Millie Kendall OBE, CEO, British Beauty Council, comments: “The launch of No7 Future Renew was somewhat revolutionary. The teams took a ground-breaking scientific discovery straight into an affordable, accessible skincare range available to all on the British high street, whereas traditionally you would see cutting-edge scientific innovations trickle down to high street products several years after launching in premium products or clinics. It is testament to the rigour and strength of the partnership between ��, Boots and No7 Beauty Company that they have created truly world-leading skincare innovation together.”

New era of discovery beckons
The renewal of the partnership establishes a ground-breaking five-year research programme that will explore peptides, clinical testing, skin immunology, and the skin microbiome. It includes a pioneering project to investigate skin across the pigmentary spectrum, aiming to develop more inclusive and effective technologies suitable for all skin tones. The project has already secured multi-million-pound funding from The BBSRC’s Prosperity Award, marking a significant investment in advancing skin science.

Samantha Dover, Mintel Category Director of Beauty and Personal Care research, said: “Beauty consumers are increasingly discerning and want to know more about the products they buy. This is exemplified by the 71% of UK adults who believe beauty brands should provide more scientific evidence to validate their claims. Showcasing the research and development behind a product can provide brands with a powerful point of difference in a crowded market. Moreover, partnerships that elevate and spotlight the R&D process will undoubtedly appeal to consumers who want brands to validate their claims, and therefore can build brand trust and loyalty.”

Investing in the next generation of British scientists
Throughout the partnership, ��, Boots and No7 Beauty Company will support the next generation of scientists through the following initiatives:

Funding from BBSRC Collaborative Training Partnership in 2021 to train 15 PhD students, addressing skills gaps in the UK bioscience industry.
Co-investing with UKRI since 2019, with UKRI recognising the No7 Future Renew story as an exemplar of business and university collaboration.

An event is being held at �� on April 11^th (the one year anniversary of the No7 Future Renew launch) to celebrate the impact and success of the partnership and look ahead at the next phase.

The University Ranks as a Global Leader for Digital Health Citation Impact

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 16:09:00 +0000

�� has been recognised as one of the Top 25 institutions in the world with the highest citation impact on Digital Health. The University secured 4th place worldwide according to an analysis from – a leading global information services provider, at Times Higher Education’s Digital Health Summit.

The evolution of solutions is creating new opportunities to transform patient care and personal health outcomes. From remote monitoring and wearables, to artificial intelligence and machine learning, digital technologies are enabling health data collection and analysis and offering new insights, diagnosis and therapies.

Here is an overview of the Citation Impact on Digital Health Top 25 Rankings. The complete list can be accessed in ’s article.

Rank	Institution	Digital health papers in the Web of Science	Citations	Percentage of papers in the top 10 per cent by citation
1	Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center	70	1,444	28.57
2		51	532	17.65
3		50	1,011	26.00
4		75	1,582	32.00
5		284	4,885	28.52

Research into digital health has grown massively nowadays, whereas the scale of growth in digital health research is remarkable. Based on Clarivate data, publications on digital health topics – which include everything from wearable devices and mobile apps to AI analytics, telemedicine and 3D printing of drugs – have risen nearly 70-fold between 2013 and 2022, from a mere 39 Web of Science-indexed papers to 2,641 – while UK researchers were involved in 20 per cent of all papers.

The statistics demonstrate that the University currently has 75 digital health papers in the Web of Science, 1582 citations, 32 per cent of papers in the top 10 per cent by citation, scoring 2.50 category normalised citation impact (CNCI). It showcases ��’s consistent efforts to advance digital health research that benefits the public.

Previously, the immense volumes of medical data from numerous wearable devices or mobile phones might have overwhelmed even the most data-savvy researcher. However, artificial intelligence now enables researchers to effectively navigate such vast amounts of information without requiring advanced coding skills. Likewise, hospitals and health centres worldwide are sharing patient records in a manner that allows algorithms to detect trends, including identifying emerging pandemics at their onset.

Recent University of Manchester research, alongside Oxford University and Cancer Research UK used Artificial Intelligence to reveal a new form of aggressive prostate cancer which could revolutionise how the disease is diagnosed and treated in the future.

For more information:

ID �� - Renold building to become new innovation hub

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 12:32:00 +0000

, a partnership between �� and , has announced plans to reactivate the Renold Building as a home for forward-thinking entrepreneurs and SMEs to develop new ideas and solutions that help tackle some of the world's biggest challenges.

This marks the initial phase of ID ��’s ambitious plan to transform the University’s former North Campus into a welcoming and accessible new £1.7bn innovation district.

The new vision for the Renold Building will celebrate its history as an educational hub by hosting the next wave of science and technology innovators and building an inclusive, purpose-driven community. The building will provide a range of coworking, office and meeting facilities to accommodate and support collaboration between researchers, entrepreneurs, businesses and partner organisations.

New events and exhibition spaces, including lecture theatres and a community café, will be accessible to local businesses, community groups and arts and culture organisations to host and participate in events and activities.

An application to convert the building from educational to commercial use has been submitted to �� City Council by joint venture partners �� and Bruntwood SciTech. Pending application approval, the building is set to open in late 2024.

Built in 1962, the Renold Building was the first of its kind in the UK to be entirely comprised of lecture theatres and seminar rooms. It is a building of note for many due to its striking features, including the faceted facade and stair tower, and the impressive internal mural on the lower ground floor. The redevelopment will retain and protect these elements as part of the application, as well as being sympathetic to the building’s exterior facades. Design interventions in the building’s interior will also be light touch, preserving the current condition as far as practically possible. This will allow for further conservation and restoration to be undertaken at a later date, ensuring the building will remain viable for future generations.

Bradley Topps, Chief Commercial Officer for Bruntwood SciTech and Project Director for ID ��, said: “The transformation of the Renold Building into an innovation hub marks an important first step in the development of the trailblazing science and technology ecosystem we’re building at ID ��. We recognise the importance of the Renold Building to many in the local community and beyond, and we are committed to reactivating the building in a way that celebrates the rich heritage and architecture of the building. We’revery excited to be creating a new home for the next generation of Manchester innovators.”

John Holden, Associate Vice-President, �� and Executive Committee Member for ID ��, said: ”The Renold Building will be an invaluable place to bring together like-minded organisations and partners to collaborate, develop and test new ideas. We’re building our innovation ecosystem from the ground up and the Renold Building will be a place that not only accelerates the growth of our city’s most promising entrepreneurs, SMEs and university spin-outs, but also provides the spaces and opportunities to allow our local communities to participate, experience and benefit from innovation too.”

The expertise and experience of ID ��’s respective partners will be instrumental to the creation of its innovation ecosystem. Bruntwood SciTech, a joint venture between Bruntwood, Legal & General and Greater �� Pension Fund, is the largest dedicated property platform serving the UK’s innovation economy and brings its expertise in developing partnerships across academia, local authorities, cities and the NHS. This year marks ��’s bicentenary, celebrating 200 years of key discoveries, world firsts and incredible people, and ID �� will build on this storied history of learning, innovation and research.

Shadow Minister discusses emissions and innovation during visit to University of Manchester

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 10:45:37 +0000

The Shadow Minister for Aviation and Maritime, Mike Kane MP, has visited �� to meet academics leading research on the urgent need to reduce shipping emissions.

He also toured the site of , a joint venture between the University and Bruntwood SciTech, which will transform the North campus into an innovative £1.7 billion tech and science location.

Mr Kane, the Member of Parliament for Wythenshawe and Sale East, was briefed by Professor Alice Larkin and Dr Simon Bullock whose research sets out immediate actions required to cut shipping emissions by 34% to stay on course to achieve the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global heating to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels.

The discussions took place following Mr Kane’s comments in the House of Commons last month in which he expressed concerns that the Government is yet to publish a refreshed Clean Maritime Plan to drive down UK shipping emissions.

Following a meeting with , the University’s Vice President for Civic Engagement, the Shadow Minister was shown around the nine-acre ID �� site and updated on the latest project plans by Tanya Graham, Head of Policy@��, alongside Brad Topps, Chief Commercial Officer, and Sam Darby, Development Director, of Bruntwood SciTech.

The initiative is set to create over 10,000 new jobs and bring significant economic, social and environmental benefits to the city including more than 2 million square feet of commercial and retail space, and over 1,500 homes.

Professor Richard Jones said: “It was a pleasure to brief Mike on the numerous exciting initiatives �� is currently involved in, and to hear his perspectives on the direction of public policy across a broad range of topics.

“Our ongoing research on shipping emissions is directly relevant to his brief as Shadow Minister for Aviation and Maritime and will inform debates nationally and internationally as policymakers strive to meet the 1.5°C Paris Agreement limit.

“We are also proud and excited to be working in partnership with Bruntwood SciTech to deliver ID ��, a place where offices, laboratories and creative studios will stand shoulder to shoulder with a world-class university to drive positive economic, social and environmental change.”

Mike Kane MP said: “I am grateful to Policy@�� for arranging such a fascinating visit.

“As a �� MP, I take great pride in the quality of research and teaching happening here. The work on shipping emissions, led by Professor Larkin and Dr Bullock, is of especially high quality and it was useful for me to drill down into their findings in my meeting with them.

“ID �� will have a transformative impact across the city region and far beyond, making a positive difference to the lives of entrepreneurs, students, professionals and families.

“Life continues to tough for many as the cost of living crisis endures, but better times for the people of Manchester lie ahead.”

Crop spray could lead to mass resistance in new-generation antifungal treatments

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 09:51:27 +0000

An agricultural fungicide approved in the US and currently under consideration by authorities worldwide could have a devastating effect on a new drug for one of world’s deadliest infectious diseases, show University of Manchester scientists.

Their Wellcome Trust funded study, published in Nature Microbiology could spell disaster for patients with aspergillosis - a dangerous fungal disease responsible for the deaths of millions of people worldwide.

With few treatment options for patients, aspergillus has developed widespread drug resistance to one class of drugs, known as the azoles.

The resistance is caused by the use of fungicides in agriculture, known as DMIs, increasing the risk of mortality from aspergillosis from 40% to up to 80%.

However, F2G Ltd – a spin out company from �� – invested more than £250 million over 20 years on a new antifungal drug called olorofim, which is in late-stage clinical trials and aims to be clinically deployed within the next few years.

The scientists argue that because olorofim works against azole resistant infections it could save many lives of affected patients.

However, a newly developed fungicide crop spray called ipflufenoquin has been approved for use in the USA, under the trade name Kinoprol, and could severely impact on the new drug because it has the same biological target and kills the fungi the same way as olorofim.

Exposure of Aspergillus in the environment to Kinoprol could make it resistant to olorofim, rendering the treatment ineffective before it can even be deployed in the clinic, say the scientists.

The research team exposed Aspergillus to ipflufenoquin in the lab and then assessed resistance to olorofim. Genetic mutations that cause changes in the antifungals target gene provide resistance to ipflufenoquin but also provide resistance to olorofim.

Scientists have long known that environmental use of fungicides – which farmers need to keep their crops free of fungal infection – has the potential to drive resistance to other clinical antifungals.

Researchers also believe that composting of waste from farms is causing accumulation of fungicides in environments where Aspergillus likes to grow.

Wind currents, intensive farming, and transport of commercial composts can disperse the drug-resistant fungal spores further into the environment and end up in our gardens, bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms.

Most healthy people are unaffected by Aspergillus, but population groups including the elderly, cancer patients, and the immunosuppressed of all ages are at greater risk of serious illness which destroys the lungs.

Lead author , a Wellcome Trust research fellow at �� said: “We are all very excited about olorofim but when we found out that regulatory approval was sought for ipflufenoquin and its mode of action was same as olorofim, we immediately felt alarmed.

“Making a novel fungicide for humans is very difficult and costs millions of pounds.

“But it is desperately needed, as the few classes of drugs for Aspergillus infection available at present don’t give all of the seriously ill patients a viable treatment option.

“That is why olorofim is such an exciting prospect for patients and why we must lobby the regulatory authorities to implement a risk assessment strategy for the dual use of antifungals in agriculture and clinic.”

But indirect implications to human health are not taken into account during the approval process, which is why researchers, collaborators, and clinical teams are lobbying hard for the authorities to risk assess any new fungicide.

Corresponding author Prof Mike Bromley, who is a former employee of F2G Limited and co-lead of the Fungal AMR and One Health Network, said: “It is devastating that the efforts that so many have made in development of olorofim are being put at risk by the lack of appropriate legislation that would prevent the release of fungicides without consideration of the risks to driving drug resistance in human pathogens.

“We have made our views clear to the Environmental Protection Agency in the USA and hope they will re-evaluate their approach to environmental release of fungicides.

Politicians in the House of Lords recently a question by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, which asked the Government what assessment they made of how the UK’s current agricultural fungicide use will affect long-term food and biological security.

Baroness Bennett, a former leader of the Green Party, told the chamber: “Managing fungal crop disease has always been essential to our ability to feed the population, but we cannot afford a haphazard, piecemeal approach that will hurt our public health and our NHS.

“We need integrated, “one health” considerations of the impact of the climate emergency and responsible fungicide legislation.”

Baroness Hayman of Ullock and Baroness Walmsley also spoke in the debate, and highlighted the specific case of olorofim and ipflufenoquin as they called for more robust risk assessments in the licensing of new agricultural antifungals.

F2G carried out a single assay in the study that the researchers would otherwise have not been able to facilitate. However, the vast majority of the study was carried out independently.
The paper Aspergillus fumigatus strains that evolve resistance to the agrochemical fungicide ipflufenoquin in vitro are also resistant to olorofim is available

Chancellor of the Exchequer visits �� to discuss reform of UK’s power network

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +0000

�� welcomed the Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt to learn about its research and expertise in energy networks and discuss the Government’s recent plans to

The Chancellor visited the High Voltage Lab – the largest university high voltage laboratory in the UK - where he was given a guided tour by Ian Cotton, Professor of High Voltage Technology, to showcase the University’s work in the areas of operation, planning and analysis of energy networks.

The tour started with a demonstration of the Lab’s 2MV impulse generator, which allows researchers to stress test equipment used on the grid by creating real-life lightning voltages. He then moved on to discuss the work of the lab, addressing three critical issues:

Fast-tracking network upgrades by developing and testing new, innovative technologies ready for deployment onto the live electricity networks.
Ensuring the power system is ready to transfer increased amounts of generation from new, renewable sources like wave power.
Making the grid secure and ensuring the UK has access to reliable, affordable, and environmentally sustainable energy.

The Chancellor also had the chance to chat to a number of PhD students, whose work is also actively contributing to the reform of the system and find out how the University is contributing to the skills pipeline integral for the future of the power network.

In a closed-door meeting, energy experts at the University got the chance to ask the Chancellor questions and share their feedback about the government’s plans for the power network, including putting forward their own ideas for the future.

, Professor of High Voltage Technology at ��, said: “It was a pleasure to host the Chancellor at the High Voltage Lab to showcase the work we are doing to solve the real-world challenges associated with ensuring the grid is ready to transfer the increased amounts of electrical energy we need to deliver net-zero.

“We really enjoyed sharing our unique skills, knowledge and equipment that we use to solve these problems and show how we are training a new generation of engineers to transform our energy system.

“The visit provided an invaluable opportunity to engage in insightful discussions regarding the Government's latest initiatives aimed at reforming the UK’s power network.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, added: “We are committed to transforming the Great British electricity network. The changes announced at Autumn Statement make it quicker and easier to build new infrastructure and could bring in upwards of £90 billion of global investment.

“Cutting edge facilities at our world-beating universities, such as the fantastic High Voltage Lab, will be at the forefront of this effort, leading the charge on the UK’s transition to Net Zero.”

The High Voltage Lab at �� is the largest electrical infrastructure test and research facility in UK academia. From the £9m lab, researchers collaborate with small businesses, large industry organisations and governments worldwide, sharing skills, knowledge and equipment to solve critical, real-world problems.

The lab uses the very latest equipment, capable of testing components that will be used on 400 kV power systems, enabling researchers to find new ways to innovate at pace.

The University is home to the largest power and energy system group in the UK, training 300 electrical engineers a year and supporting 150 PhD researchers in electrical power ensuring a new generation of engineers skilled to transform our energy system.

, Senior Lecturer in Electric and Electronic Engineering, said: “The High Voltage Lab and our expertise plays a major part in the technology, innovation and skills supply chain needed for our net zero future. From finding innovative ways to maintain the thousands of pylons across the grid, to de-risking superconductors for future power transmission, we work on a range of projects at all technology readiness levels to make sure we maximise the potential of both the equipment and our research expertise, to accelerate the development of our future electrical network.”

Find out more about the and .

Greater �� Investment Zone targets growth and jobs in advanced manufacturing sector

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 09:27:39 +0000

●&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; More than 30,000 jobs and £1 billion of private sector investment forecast for the Greater �� Investment Zone.

●&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; £160 million of public funding to boost growth of city-region’s advanced manufacturing and materials sector.

●&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; Investments worth over £10m from manufacturers Kadant, Werit, First Graphene and Hydrograph unveiled as part of Investment Zone.

A new Investment Zone for Greater ��, announced by the Chancellor in today’s Autumn Statement, is expected to create 32,000 jobs and leverage £1.1 billion of private sector investment.

The Investment Zone will provide £160 million in public funding over 10 years to support initiatives and interventions agreed between Greater �� and Government, which will include new research and innovation, sector-focussed skills programmes, local infrastructure enhancements, and targeted business support.

Greater ��’s Investment Zone will focus on the advanced materials and manufacturing sector. The package will support established strengths, including, a joint venture between �� and and other assets in the city-region core, and build on longer-term ambitions to be able to scale up and deploy innovations in our growth businesses, for example through Atom Valley.

ID �� will become a world-class innovation platform that drives inclusive and sustainable economic growth for the city by leveraging the unique experience and expertise of its joint venture partners, combining ��'s long history of industry collaboration and world-class research strengths with Bruntwood SciTech's experience of working in strategic partnership with city councils, universities and NHS Trusts to deliver connected science and technology infrastructure.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater ��, said: “The Investment Zone will help us attract investment and create jobs and opportunities that will benefit people across Greater ��. Our city-region has been a centre for manufacturing and materials innovation for centuries, from leading the Industrial Revolution right through to the development of graphene, and the Investment Zone will ensure that continues.

“It’s also a vote of confidence in devolution and its ability to deliver levelling up. Providing more flexibility and local control over spending can help unlock Greater ��’s potential.”

, Vice-President for Regional Innovation and Civic Engagement at ��, said: “�� has been at the forefront of research in advanced materials and manufacturing, from the industrial revolution to the discovery of graphene, and we have a strong culture of innovation which builds on that research to create economic benefit. This announcement gives further impetus to the work we do with our partners in business and the city-region, to improve people’s lives through economic growth and improved productivity throughout Greater ��.”

Greater ��’s advanced manufacturing and materials sector comprises hundreds of innovative companies and the city-region’s universities host world-leading research and development. Advanced manufacturing alone employs approximately 110,000 people and generates around £8bn of economic output each year.

Government has also confirmed plans to extend the Made Smarter Adoption programme following its successful pilot in Greater �� and the North West, with a view to expanding the programme across the UK by 2027. The programme helps SME manufacturers adopt digital technologies to help improve productivity and reduce carbon emissions.

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council and Greater �� Lead for Economy, Business, and Inclusive Growth, said: “Greater �� has an attractive proposition, with world-leading advanced manufacturing and materials research at our universities, a strong skills base, and an existing ecosystem of innovative companies.

“The Investment Zone will build on that cluster, linking and investing in different sites across the city-region, and helping us translate research and development and new discoveries into business growth.”

Speaking on behalf of ID ��, John Holden, Associate Vice-President at ��, said: "We’re delighted that ID �� will be part of the Greater �� Investment Zone plans to put the region at the forefront of advanced materials and manufacturing innovation in the UK and globally. The ecosystem we’re building at ID �� will leverage ��’s world-class R&D strengths to help scale and commercialise new ideas, driving new jobs across the city region in future-facing industries. We look forward to working closely with our neighbouring centres of innovation in Greater �� to create valuable new opportunities for local residents and businesses across the North.”

Independent Review of University Spin-out Companies, �� Response

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 09:30:00 +0000

�� welcomes the published today (21 November). Professor Irene Tracey and Dr Andrew Williamson have set out the important contribution that UK universities are making to the economy and society through commercialisation of intellectual property generated by their research.

They have recognised the multiple set of actors and processes that need to combine in a successful innovation ecosystem to support founders in the journey from invention to forming a spin-out and then successfully scaling up the company. The Review’s recommendations provide important guidance on the pathway to building a world-leading innovation ecosystem that takes full advantage of national strengths across all of our areas of research excellence and of our regions.

The University will review its intellectual property policies and practice, in collaboration with our partners in the Northern Gritstone investment company, which was established as a positive response to the high concentration of VC funding in London to provide VC funding in the North. We recognise the distinction the report makes between intellectual property intensive areas such as the life sciences and the simpler pathway for some software commercialisation. We welcome the recommendation that the starting point in negotiations should be terms set out in the produced by the group of national and international leaders in university research commercialisation (of which �� is a member).

Innovation is a core theme for the University. Working through our technology transfer subsidiary, the , we have produced 16 spinouts in the past two years and were in equal first place for this number in 2021/22.

Examples of successes include:

·&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; founded in 2021 to develop the treatment of a leading cause of blindness and other complement-related diseases. The company has been through two funding rounds raising €77m to work on clinical proof-of-concept. This recently won the

·&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; , founded in 2018 which develops processes to manufacture sustainable biosurfactant products for use at commercial scale and has recently opened a commercial plant on a 90,000 sq ft site in Wallasey.

·&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; currently in its second investment round which produces advanced membranes and innovative filtration systems for the production of valuable minerals (including Lithium) and clean water.

The University also supports student start-ups (typically 35 a year with 280 in operation, an 80% long-term survival rate) through our e. Students own their IP so concerns about equity stakes are irrelevant for this important part of the landscape.

A recent example of success is:

·&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; , this month awarded The Spectator’s Innovator of the Year Award for Excellence in Sustainability recognising its groundbreaking developments in the use of graphene to produce a form of polymer-based concrete which reduces carbon emissions by 88%. The company has secured a $1 billion plus joint venture with the Qazar Investment Company to build a factory in the United Arab Emirates.

Our spin-outs benefit from the innovation ecosystem the University is working with partners to build including:

·&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; which has raised £312m to invest in IP-rich start-ups (principally from the three founding universities: ��, Sheffield and Leeds) in the North of England;

·&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; , a £1.7 billion innovation district which will provide an ideal base for spin-outs and scale-ups to interact with large corporates; and

·&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��;&�Բ��; Our extensive range of business-friendly facilities which give start-ups access to equipment and expertise normally only available to multinationals. These include the , , the , the and the .