SPIN UP
ACADEMY
We help scientists and engineers unlock the true potential of their technical capability
We are scientists and engineers turned people builders.
We are here to build your capability as an innovator and leader.
Investing in innovators.
Building Leaders
Emerging from a research field can feel frustrating, with little understanding of how to make the most of the opportunities beyond university with only limited real-world experience.
Those who are looking to make the most of their technical skills and scientific capabilities, individuals with a firm vision for the future and looking to carve their own path through life are the innovators we work with. We help by broadening your horizons with the commercial skills we wish we had developed by the end of our own time in academia.
Virtual Programs
LAUNCH LAB
1-Day Business Crash Course For Scientists (Live Online)
Hosted by Dr. Ben Miles—a scientist, serial entrepreneur, investor, and YouTuber with 90+ million views—this online crash course is your gateway to turning cutting-edge research into impactful ventures.
Designed specifically for scientists (Bachelors, Masters, PhD, PhD+), in just one day, you'll learn how to bridge the gap between technical expertise and business acumen, making you a standout candidate for senior leadership roles, industry positions, or even entrepreneurship. Whether you're looking to influence high-level decision-making, lead teams, or explore new career horizons, this course will provide the essential tools and frameworks to succeed.
What You’ll Learn:
How to turn complex scientific ideas into compelling solutions.
How to spot opportunities for innovation.
The fundamentals of building a business from scratch.
How to attract funding and engage investors effectively.
Navigating the entrepreneurial journey while staying true to science.
This program is scheduled based on demand, so you’ll learn alongside like-minded professionals in a dynamic, interactive environment.
Cost: £300 - 10% Deposit on booking - typically run quarterly - exact dates to be confirmed
Register now to join the waitlist and secure your spot on the next cohort.
Take the next step in your career—combine your technical brilliance with the commercial know-how to make an impact wherever you choose to go.
Testimonials
Absolutely the best program I joined during my time at university! Inspired and kickstarted my pathway to launching my own business.
James
CSO
Incredibly engaging, educational, and above all fun program. Ben and the Spin Up team bring to life the excitement and potential of using science to change the world.
Sally
VC Analyst
Wow! I wish I'd done this earlier. I always felt like my science degree was leading me to a narrowing of opportunities. This really opened my eyes!
Tim
Research Associate
Alumni Spotlight
Alumni 1
"The Spin Up team launched my entrepreneurial journey and helped me realise that the quickest route to translate academic knowledge into applications is through start-ups.
My company, Rhizocore Ltd, will be incorporating [...] in the next few months. We are developing new propagation techniques for soil organisms that form symbioses with plants to increase growth rates and boost the carbon sequestration potential of plants."
Dr Toby Parkes,
Founder Rhizocore
Our University Seminar Programs
Pioneer
Pioneer is an introductory program of 6 one-hour talks held over 6-weeks covering the foundations of innovation and spinning out companies.
Designed to offer the practical knowledge and skills to unlock your technical expertise as a scientist or engineer.
You'll hear from entrepreneurs, investors, and industry partners on a range of topics covering the spin out process through to how to talk to industry.
Spark
Spark is a one-day program for scientists and engineers around spotting innovation opportunities in research. You'll learn the characteristics we look for to seperate good opportunities from bad, and to understand the potential of your work.
You'll get the chance to look into some of the opportunities we have explored with our clients and partners to turn their discoveries into products, before sharing our advice to engage with customers and investors to turn an idea into reality.
Ignition
Ignition is a two-day program designed to help you understand how a business operates and how to build effective products and companies. This is a fast-paced, broad-spectrum program that aims to give you a high level overview of all of the important factors in company formation.
Through our in-house toolsets, you'll get the opportunity to explore commercial potential with the systems and tools we use to support our Venture clients.
Our Masters Courses
Bioinformatics MSC: Entrepreneurship and Professional Development
As part of the MSc in Bioinformatics at the University of Bristol, our modules in Entrepreneurship and Professional Development are designed to complement your technical expertise with essential commercial and leadership skills. These modules prepare students to thrive at the intersection of computational biology and the life sciences, equipping you to drive innovation and excel in diverse professional environments.
Through hands-on workshops, industry-focused case studies, and collaborative projects, students will:
Learn how to identify and evaluate commercial opportunities in bioinformatics and biotechnology.
Develop leadership and project management skills tailored to multidisciplinary teams.
Strengthen professional communication and networking capabilities.
Explore career pathways ranging from senior leadership roles to entrepreneurial ventures.
These modules open doors to impactful roles in academia, industry, and beyond, empowering students to apply their expertise in bioinformatics to solve real-world challenges and shape the future of the field.
Chemistry MSci: Mastery of Chemistry and Innovation Modules
The Mastery of Chemistry and Innovation modules within the Chemistry MSci at the University of Bristol equip students with the skills to apply their advanced chemistry knowledge in innovative and impactful ways. These modules emphasize creativity, problem-solving, and strategic thinking in the context of scientific and industrial challenges.
Students will develop the ability to:
Identify and address complex problems using cutting-edge chemical techniques.
Explore the intersection of chemistry and innovation through project-based learning.
Understand how to bring new chemical technologies to market or into practical application.
Hone leadership and communication skills critical for influencing multidisciplinary teams.
By combining deep subject mastery with a focus on innovation, these modules prepare graduates for careers in research, industry, or entrepreneurship, driving forward advancements in chemistry and its applications.
Cellular and Molecular Medicine Msci: Impact, Translation, and Commercialisation
The Impact, Translation, and Commercialisation modules in the Cellular and Molecular Medicine MSci program at the University of Bristol provide students with the essential skills to bridge cutting-edge research with real-world application. These modules are tailored to prepare students for diverse career paths, from senior leadership roles to positions in translational medicine, biotech, and beyond.
Students will explore:
Impact Assessment: Understanding how to evaluate the societal, clinical, and economic benefits of scientific discoveries.
Research Translation: Strategies to move innovations from the lab to practical use, including navigating regulatory and ethical considerations.
Commercialisation Skills: Fundamentals of intellectual property, funding strategies, and developing the business case for new technologies.
By integrating these modules into the program, students are empowered to amplify the reach of their research, drive innovation, and excel in roles that require both technical expertise and a strong understanding of the commercial and translational landscape. These skills open up pathways to leadership in academia, industry, and entrepreneurial ventures.
Applied Programs
The 5-Day Science MBA
Carving your own path in the world can be scary. With requirements for 3+ years of experience even for entry level positions, the journey often looks like graduate schemes to slowly climb the corporate ladder.
We think there is a better way to broaden your horizons with the world view and capability we wish we had at the end of our own time in academia, by spending time in a startup and being exposed to the breadth of experiences needed to start a business. Not everyone has this opportunity, so the Startup Experience exists to shed some light into this world and give you the opportunity to learn from it, without needing your own business idea.
We work with individuals looking to differentiate from their peers and make the most of technical skills and scientific capabilities. We help to empower participants with the skills and mindset to be an active participant in defining their own journey.
