The ERA
Foundation may provide a small amount of funding (typically £25K
to £50K) to rapidly develop a good idea, explore market
opportunities, develop a business plan and identify a potential
team to commercialise the idea.
The following issues will be given particular attention in
selecting projects -
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The quality of the innovative research outcomes on which
the proposal is based |
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A realistic awareness of the possible routes to market
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The business acumen demonstrated by the project team in
an outline business plan |
The ERA Foundation will require teams with projects supported in
this way to offer the Foundation the option to invest if they
reach the stage of "angel" funding.
In seeking opportunities for projects at the early stages of
the commercialisation, the ERA Foundation will wish, where
possible, to build on substantial research investments already
made - for example those made by the
Engineering
and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in such
programmes as the Interdisciplinary Research Centres, or through
the "Follow-on Fund".
University Industrial Liaison Officers (ILOs) may be a source
of ideas. The Foundation will also be seeking suitable projects
from outside the academic sector, through the personal networks
of Directors and elsewhere. |
