The
Startup
Experience
Gain first hand experience in venture creation while supporting current early-stage startups
The Startup Experience is an immersive, real-life exercise in the launching of new companies. As part of a small cohort of graduate, postgraduate, or postdoctoral researchers, you will be paired with ventures that are early-stage or pre-incorporation. By helping them refine their business proposition, you will see first hand into company formation, developing industry insight, consulting capabilities, and confidence to launch your own ventures.
During our 5 day programme, you will face the real-world scenarios that first time entrepreneurs are experiencing. We are here to provide you the building blocks, mentality, and advice to overcome obstacles and challenges. You apply your knowledge to solve problems and build a strong business case.
We work with Universities, Centers for Doctoral Training, and individuals.
University or Academic Admin?
5 Days
Fully immersive experience
This programme aims to nurture the next generation of commercially-aware, entrepreneurially-minded researchers through a program of concerted cultivation to equip participants with the skills needed to unlock their technical knowledge and thrive in any environment.
Topics Covered
Day 1: Technology Validation
• Client Interview
• Innovation Assessment
• Commercial Journey
• Founding a Company
Day 2: Market Landscape
• Market Valuation
• Customer Profiling
•
Value Proposition
• Competitor Analysis
Day 3: Commerical Strategy
• Value Chain Analysis
• IP Rights Assessment
•
Revenue Model
• Route to Market
Day 4: Business Strategy
• Funding Assessment
• Financial Structuring
• Raising Startup Finance
• Investment Pitching
Day 5: Project Delivery
Deliver your findings back to the client venture
to support their growth as a business
"This was by far the best industrial training experience I have undertaken as part of my PhD. I feel empowered that now I could start my own company"
Dr Sian Fussell
Former PhD Student, Bristol Centre For Functional Nanomaterials,
Founder and CTO Albotherm Ltd
Testimonials
It felt real and I was inspired to think in a business mindset. It was great seeing the company structured, brand visualised and the market explored, and seeing what a possible company could look like while I was still considering whether to incorporate my own idea. I wish I had the opportunity to go on the SEE program before attending iCURE and starting my own company.
Dr Charlotte Bermingham,
CTO, Vitamica Ltd
The course exceeded my expectations above and beyond. I was expecting classroom type teaching but the course blew me away. The wide breadth of the course delivery; teaching, team talks, individual work, guest speakers, client meetings was fantastic. The online format was incredibly effective, and it actually didn’t feel very different from being in a physical room! This opened my eyes to pathways I didn't know existed. Absolutely recommend for everyone to attend.
Chris McCooey,
PhD Candidate, Queen's University Belfast
I met with the PhD team at the beginning and end of the 5-day program; by the end of the week they sounded more like MBA students than PhD students. I was incredibly impressed with the knowledge they had absorbed while immersed in this program with the Spin Up team.
Jane Garratt,
Enterprise Lead, Quantum Technology Enterprise Centre
Alumni Spotlight
Alumni 1
"An essential experience that gives any PhD student the understanding and confidence to pursue their career as a scientific entrepreneur. The programme addresses a need, for PhD students to lift their heads from the intricacies of our research and explore "real world" applications and opportunities. The understanding of how a business runs, legally, financially and technically is such important information that really hasn't been touched on by any other part of my PhD. Absolutely a vital experience in helping me start my own company, biotIP.
What's fantastic about it, is that you get to spend time with the genuine article. Scientists turned entrepreneurs, and I think that's the best learning environment you could ask for."
Dr Uros Zupancic,
Chief Scientific Officer at biotIP ltd
The Startup Experience© is a product of Spin Up Science Ltd. Interested in working with us to develop a similar program? Get in touch.