The challenge of translating research discoveries into viable business and industry ideas is being addressed by a new innovation to commercialisation programme.

Innovation-to-Commercialisation of University Research (ICURe) is run by the SETsquared Partnership and funded by HEFCE and InnovateUK.

Its aim is to move ideas and innovations out of universities and into the marketplace. The programme funds teams, with grants of up to £50,000, to determine whether there is a market for their discovery.

The basis of ICURe is a real-world, hands-on, immersive learning experience about what it takes to successfully transfer innovations into the market.  It is about engaging with industry and talking to customers, partners and competitors to identify the most appropriate business model.

Programme participants go on a three-day intensive boot camp followed by a market assessment period. This involves early career researchers taking the lead in engaging with potential customers, partners and competitors to validate the commercialisation potential of the research. Each team is fully supported by SETsquared and has a business mentor from a relevant industrial sector.

ICURe ties in closely with work by HEFCE to develop entrepreneurial skills and knowledge in a new generation of scientists and engineers.  The programme will also benefit teams who just want to improve their knowledge of the marketplace. This can be used back in the lab to either refine ideas and technologies or to take the research down another path.

This video case study shows an example of ICURe in action – https://vimeo.com/120785720 – the password is SETsquared.

For more information on ICURe please contact Ben McClure, Programme Manager 01225 388722.