Develop Your Enterprise Concept

Academic and researcher entrepreneurs find that their work is a formative experience in their enterprising careers.

Not only is their academic work/research the place where they forge the skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur, it is also likely to be important in determining the direction that their enterprising career takes. Some will develop a business idea directly based on the subject of their academic work/research; others will develop an idea based on their experience of research and academia more generally. Still others will use their experience as an opportunity to make contacts and secure funding needed to undertake further proof of concept work.

Whether you want to get inspired, get involved, or simply get some advice, the University of Leicester has a range of opportunities for academic and research staff and postgraduate researchers looking to develop an enterprise concept.

Postgraduate Researchers - Business and Enterprise Learning

The Business and Enterprise Learning team are part of the Student Support and Development Service and are based in the Enterprise Zone in the David Wilson Library Building. They provide a range of advice and support services for University of Leicester students, including postgraduate researchers, who are looking to develop their entrepreneurial capabilities and enterprise concepts.

Postgraduate Researchers looking to gain more hands-on experience in developing an enterprise concept can find advice on a number of opportunities such as the Social Enterprise Way and SIFE Leicester.

Those want to take their first steps towards starting their own business can also access practical advice from enterprise specialists and also find out about schemes such as Enterprise Inc. which gives participants with a viable business concept the chance to win a support package worth up to £5,000.

Academic and Research Staff - Enterprise and Business Development

The University's Enterprise and Business Development Office offers a range of support and other services for University academic staff and researchers who want to investigate potential commercialisation opportunities arising from their work. The office's dedicated Intellectual Property and Commercialisation team are available to offer both general and specific advice to academic staff and researchers to commercialise intellectual property.

Did you know that a number of spin-out companies have been set up to commercialise University of Leicester research? To find out more, please click here.