The competition gives postdocs the chance to win early stage funding for their business ideas. There are two prizes: £20,000 investment for the first place winner and £10,000 investment for the second. It also offers a chance to explore the process of commercialisation, while getting some expert guidance.
To enter, postdocs submit a business plan outlining their idea; all the details are in the competition handbook. Projects must be led by a current postdoc of the University or have a majority of team members who are current postdocs of the University.
If you’re unfamiliar with how to write a business plan or just want to talk through your idea, please come to one of our weekly surgeries. Drop by the Hauser Forum any Friday between now and 23 June, from 10 to 12, and ask for my colleague, Tania Balsa, at reception. For an informal chat about your entry at another time, drop Tania an email.
The deadline for all entries is 29 June 2017 and the semi-finalists will be announced 21 July.
Each semi-finalist gets matched with a seasoned mentor from Cambridge Enterprise’s wide network of academic entrepreneurs. They’ll help you refine and polish your plan and explain some key business skills. Semi-finalists also receive training from pitching expert Adelina Chalmers.
The semi-final event is 21 September; finalists will be announced 12 October. On 25 October the finalists will pitch to the judges in preparation for the Grand Finale event on 2 November 2017 at Peterhouse College in Cambridge. The Grand Finale gives contestants the experience of pitching before the judges and an audience.
