Venture Creation Lab
How do you turn research into a spinout? Or an idea into a start up with serious growth potential?
Find out through Venture Creation Lab!
Over two days, you’ll have the opportunity to explore tools and frameworks for identifying what problem your research or idea is solving, and carry out initial interviews with potential customers to find out what a good solution looks like for them. You’ll find out more about what life is like as an entrepreneur and develop a plan for taking your solution to market.
The morning will be an opportunity to learn the tools and frameworks. In the afternoon, you’ll be applying what you learned to your own research or idea, supported by experts and mentors.
Who should take part?
- Researchers with potentially commercialisable research or an idea which has serious growth potential (open to University researchers at any level and early stage entrepreneurs whether they are staff, students, alumni or members of the public.)
Please note: Venture Creation Lab is a required first step for any University of St Andrews’ academics or staff interested in the St Andrews Innovation Fellowship. - Those interested in exploring the commercial potential of their research or idea
- Individuals committed to attending both sessions in person, in the Entrepreneurship Centre, Walter Bower House, Guardbridge KY16 0US
- Individuals committed to spending time during the afternoons of the two days working on and making progress on commercialising their research and starting a company
Dates
Tuesday 29 April and Wednesday 30 April 09:30 – 14:00 in person in the Entrepreneurship Centre, Walter Bower House, Guardbridge KY16 0US.
from 14:00 onwards, participants are expected to apply the tools and frameworks learned in the morning to their own research or idea, supported by experts and mentors.
Lunch will be provided, so please RSVP via the Entrepreneurship Centre’s online platform Start Up Tree here
Optional one to one follow-up session to be arranged. This meeting can be in person or online.
Facilitators
Keith Millican, Director of Enterprise – Keith is responsible for leadership of St Andrews Innovation’s enterprise activities. With more than 35 years of global business experience with senior roles in Audit, Corporate Finance, Manufacturing and the Public Sector. Keith has led significant change and turnaround projects in both the private and public sector. He holds an M.A. (Hons) in Accounting and is a Chartered Accountant. He is also a Fellow and Chartered Director with experience across, public, private, for-profit and not-for-profit Boards. LInkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithmillican/
Bonnie Hacking, Programme Manager – Bonnie is passionate about people and loves working with enterprising, entrepreneurial and creative people. She has been equipping individuals and teams with the skills and support to develop successful, scalable and sustainable business start-ups, spinouts and social enterprises for real-world societal and environmental benefit for more than 20 years. Prior to joining the University, Bonnie was Management Development Officer, Oxfordshire County Council and People Programmes Manager, Unipart Group of Companies. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonniehacking/
Important – travelling to the Entrepreneurship Centre:
The Entrepreneurship Centre is an 8 minute bus ride from St Andrews Bus Station on any of the 99 buses going to Leuchars Rail Station/Dundee. From Dundee, it’s a 20 minute bus ride from the Dundee Bus Station. From Cupar, it’s about a 14 minute bus ride on the X59 or X24 then a 7 minute walk to Walter Bower House.