Third annual Research to Enterprise Summit declared a success

15 Jun 2010

Event to encourage enterprise in researchers attracts audience of 500 plus

University Place hosted the third annual Research to Enterprise Summit on 10 June, an event designed to encourage research students and staff to be more enterprising whether they intend to work in academia, industry or a not for profit organisation.

As in previous years, the speakers were drawn from The University of Manchester and entrepreneurs from further afield.

Dr Joanne Tippett explained how she designed Ketso, a creative thinking toolkit, from her research in South West Africa. Professor Richard Walmsley described his journey from scientist to founder of Gentronix, a company that tests for cancer causing properties in new drugs.

External speakers this year were Pete Waterman, who highlighted examples of opportunity spotting during his 50 year career in the music industry, and Tim Campbell, the winner of series one of BBC TV show The Apprentice and now an entrepreneur himself. The event was hosted by BBC TV presenter Julia Bradbury.

The audience of more than 500 then attended a networking buffet where the speakers continued to be in great demand.

Event organiser Dr Robert Phillips from Manchester Enterprise Centre said:

"I am delighted with the numbers of students and staff who have shown an interest in enterprise and entrepreneurship today. It was clear that people were attending not just because they may want to set up their own companies, but because they understand that it is important for those in academia to make their research available to the community, and that doesn’t always just mean journal papers."