Prize money available for novel ideas involving graphene and other 2D materials
09 Apr 2021
The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre has opened its annual Eli and Britt Harari Graphene Enterprise Award competition, which offers a £70,000 prize fund for novel ideas involving graphene and other 2D materials that have the potential to be commercialised
This prestigious award, in association with Nobel Laureate Sir Andre Geim, is awarded each year to help the implementation of commercially-viable business proposals from students, post-doctoral researchers and recent graduates of The University of Manchester based on developing the commercial prospects of graphene and other 2D materials.
The award acts as seed funding to enable budding entrepreneurs to take the first steps towards turning their novel idea into a reality. It recognises the impact that high-level, flexible, early-stage financial support has in the successful development of a business.
Prizes of £50,000 and £20,000 will be awarded to individuals or teams who can best demonstrate how their technology relating to graphene and other 2D materials can be applied to a viable commercial opportunity.
Last year saw winning teams address key societal challenges in healthcare and environmental sustainability. They sought breakthroughs by using 2D materials to develop a novel technology for sleep monitoring, and for the manufacture of high performance graphene recycled aggregate concrete.
As in previous years, winners this year will also receive valuable tailored support from groups across our University, including the new state-of-the-art R&D facility, the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC); its leading support infrastructure for entrepreneurs, the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre; as well as wider networks to help the winners take the first steps towards commercialising these early-stage ideas.
The competition is open to all students, postdoctoral researchers, and recent graduates of the University.
- For more information on the competition and details of to how to apply, please direct your students and research associates/fellows to visit Eli and Britt Harari Enterprise Award or email enterpreneurship@manchester.ac.uk using the subject line EH2021.