There are many places in which students can find information and support when looking to commercialise their invention or research.

Get connected with groups and networks

Entrepreneur societies

Cambridge University Entrepreneurs (CUE) organises the most successful student-run business planning and creation competitions in Europe. Since 1999, CUE has had over 450 entries and has awarded over £320,000 in grants to 41 business ideas. These companies have raised more than £28 million further funding and are currently valued at more than £42 million.

The Cambridge University Technology and Enterprise Club (CUTEC) is the leading student-run organisation at the University of Cambridge with a focus on technology venture capital. CUTEC organises one of the most successful student-led VC conference in Europe, known as the Technology Ventures Conference (Tech Ventures).

Business Plan Competitions

Run by organisations such as CUE and Downing Enterprise.

Other resources

Based on the MIT i-Teams program which has been running since 2004, i-Teams allows entrepreneurial post-graduate students to work with real inventions to determine the best route for their commercialisation, and present the results at CUTEC’s annual Technology Ventures Conference.

Enterprise Network

The Cambridge University Enterprise Network acts a portal to the various organisations involved in enterprise and innovation activities within the University.

Careers Service

The Careers Service offers impartial information and advice on finding and applying to small businesses throughout the UK and provides resources for those wanting to set up a ‘conventional’ business, for example: restaurants, fitness centres, and photographic studios. For all students: all years, all courses, all interests.

Students and intellectual property rights

The current Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) policy adopted by the University on in December 2005 includes sections of the IPR Policy which relate specifically to students.

If a student has contributed to the creation of an invention, it is important to clarify the details surrounding any agreements, particularly sponsorship and collaboration agreements, which may stipulate the ownership of intellectual property. Because and when they are not employees of the University, students own the intellectual property in the material they create, except):

• where the student's sponsorship agreement with their sponsor states otherwise
• where the student is engaged in research that is governed by an agreement between the University and a third party which states otherwise
• where the student is working in collaboration with others in a way that gives rise to joint or interdependent creation of intellectual property

Students need to check the specific circumstances and include details on the invention disclosure form. Supervisors have an obligation to make sure students know about these obligations before commencing their research.

For further information on IPR Policy please see the Policies section in Inventions, IP and licensing.