University of Cambridge
Events

Want to learn how to commercialise your research & make an impact?

Our Ideas to Reality programme is the place to start!

If you are an academic, researcher or PhD student based within the University of Cambridge, this programme is for you. Focusing on different routes to commercialisation, these workshops will enable you to learn more about using your expertise as a consultant, collaborating with external companies, and creating a new company or social enterprise.

The Ideas to Reality Programme will return in Spring and Autumn 2025 and will feature 5 workshops:

Creating research impact through commercialisation

This first session gives an introductory overview focusing on the variety of ways that research can be commercialised. This will help you decide which of the 101 sessions in the programme are best suited to you.

Commercialisation 101

Do you have an idea, invention or innovation that you think could make a real impact? Or are you interested in understanding how other researchers work in industry-facing and entrepreneurial ways to build innovations based on their work?

This interactive session will provide helpful tools and ways of thinking about developing innovations, focusing on the journey of innovation from research to real-world impact.

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Venture Building 101

Do you have a developed business idea and are ready to take the next step? Are you looking to start a company or social enterprise? Perhaps you are already working with us on the development of your idea and are considering spinning out a company?

This half-day interactive workshop will provide helpful tools to assist in the process of starting a company or social venture.

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Consultancy 101

Are you considering becoming a consultant? Or you’re already consulting but want to find out how to work more effectively, get the best price for your skills or discover how to simplify your administrative work.

In this half-day workshop you’ll gain expertise on best practices, tips on making life easier and troubleshoot some of the key issues consultants encounter.

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Research Tools 101

Are you interested in creating an impact from your research? Do you wonder how you might do this without having patentable technology, or an idea for a spin-out company?

This half-day workshop will give you an introductory overview on to how to license research tools and how they generate impact.

Find out more