Six researchers secure funding through the MEC Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme to boost the development of their commercial ideas.
Twenty four early career researchers have now successfully completed the MEC Researcher to Innovator (R2I) programme, an exciting entrepreneurship training programme for researchers with ambitions to develop commercial ventures and create impact from their academic studies.
The Options Roundabout event on the 19th February 2025 was the culmination of the which saw our researchers pitch to a panel of commercialisation experts, entrepreneurs and funders. The event was a resounding success and an opportunity for the cohort to network and celebrate their achievements with peers and supporters of the programme.
The programme aims to inspire and accelerate the translation of the knowledge created through academic research into products, services or processes to deliver tangible benefit through a series of bespoke workshops and mentoring opportunities. The workshops helped researchers articulate their ideas by taking them through a lean start-up pathway to explore the commercial potential of their research.
The Innovation Enabling Awards were granted to acknowledge the impact and growth potential with early career researchers receiving between 拢1000 to 拢8000 to further develop the commercial potential of their ideas and businesses.
Aline Miller, Professor of Biomolecular Engineering and Associate Dean for Business Engagement and Innovation, presented the Innovation Enabling Awards to the six winning projects.
Award Winners
Innovation Enabling Award: 拢8,000
Tiny Human Dramas
Dr Meghan Rose Donnelly (School of Social Sciences)
鈥�The R2I programme provided me with the skills I needed to take my research out into the world and make a real impact: connecting with industry, refining ideas, building a plan for the future, pitching to potential investors, and much more. R2I absolutely brought me from researcher to innovator.鈥�
Innovation Enabling Award: 拢5,000
Antenatal Education
Dr Holly Reid (School of Medical Sciences)
"The programme and the award have meant that the little idea with which I started R2I, could now be a commercially viable business very soon and that's really exciting."
Innovation Enabling Awards: 拢3,000
Graphene Vision
Dr Rui Zhang and Dr Matthew Lindley (School of Natural Sciences)
"The R2I programme has equipped us with the skills and confidence needed to navigate the entrepreneurial journey. The Innovation Enabling Award will help accelerate the commercialization of our innovation and has given us even more motivation to succeed."
AI- GPR
Dr Frank Podd (School of Engineering)
鈥淩2I was a fantastic way to learn about the best approach to starting a company, from the inception of an innovation through to the collaborative development of a product with customers鈥�
Innovation Enabling Awards: 拢1,000
Green Terra Energy Storage
Camilo Salazar (School of Engineering)
&苍产蝉辫;鈥�R2I is a very user-friendly program that provides you with the fundamental tools to start becoming an entrepreneur. The key is to believe in your role, you are already the best.鈥�
Battery Waste Recycling
Dr Amal Nadri (School of Engineering)
The prize winners will also receive expert support and signposting to regional and national accelerator programmes and all the participants on the MEC R2I programme will be connected to the wider ecosystem for further support, mentoring and guidance in taking their research ideas forward.
I would like to congratulate all the researchers for taking the initial steps to explore the commercial potential of their ideas through the R2I programme. Not only have they stepped out of their comfort zone and challenged their thinking, but they have also developed their mind-sets, confidence, commercial awareness and resilience. It has been such an inspirational cohort and with aspirations to deliver impact through their research, I look forward to seeing what the future holds for everyone.
The R2I options roundabout 鈥榩itch鈥� day never disappoints and this cohort impressed with their energy, passion and the quality of their pitches. The researchers shared their customer discovery journey with some shaping and pivoting their ideas as they developed their value proposition ready for pitching. I wish them all luck with their next step on their journey and look forward to seeing their ideas begin to generate tangible impact moving forward.
The organisers wish to thank the Fellowship for their sponsorship of the Innovation Enabling Awards.
Get Involved
If you are an early career researcher looking for an exciting opportunity to develop your innovative thinking and enhance your understanding of creating and developing impact join the next round of the R2I programme. Find out more .
The is supported by the University鈥檚 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.
