About the School

We have designed the School to:

• Provide a forum where you can network with and learn from the experiences of successful managers, investors and entrepreneurs
• Develop your understanding of business, including: Business Planning, Intellectual Property, Strategy, Networking and Raising Finance
• Provide an opportunity to apply your skills within a 'safe' environment
• Help you to look at science from a commercial angle and provide inspiration, confidence and planning for the next step
• Help identify sources of further help and advice for developing an entrepreneurial career, now or in the future

The School distinguishes itself from mainstream start-up and management development programmes through its strong focus on developing commercial acumen and entrepreneurial potential as well as exploring the commercialisation of science. The School is delivered by seasoned entrepreneurs and business professionals and will help you develop a business mind-set that will be invaluable in progressing your entrepreneurial career.

The School will be delivered in a facilitative style involving training, exercises, case studies, discussion, networking, mentoring and presentations. Individual sessions are intensive and challenging and lead up to a friendly ‘Dragons Den’ style competitive pitch to a panel of experts in the commercialisation and funding of new technology. This is followed by signposting to further business support and the awarding of Bio-Entrepreneur Certificates for attendance on the School.

Each day will include:

1. Knowledge sharing sessions where professionals who work closely with academics, researchers and entrepreneur will show you how they have turned their ideas into successful businesses
2. Practical Exercises to help you to put the learning into practice and work on real opportunities with the support of your peers and the team
3. Workshop sessions where experts will help you to build skills or deal with the practicalities of business
4. Informal sessions to network with investors, entrepreneurs, sector specialists, etc.

At the end of the School you will:

• Have gained invaluable business knowledge and skills
• Have learned what it takes to commercialise science and technology
• Have learned how to take your business to the next level of growth
• Have gained a better insight into how to develop an entrepreneurial career
• Be part of a community of like-minded ‘Bio-Entrepreneurs’
• Have built a network of contacts with entrepreneurs, investors, and specialist accountants and lawyers involved in the sector
• Have had the opportunity to explore potential collaboration with the UK Knowledge Base