QResearcher - Developing a business concept (2)
The second stage of QResearcher Enterprise focuses on developing a business idea into a business concept through 6-week guided research on the proposed market, industry and business model - key information needed to start a pitch deck.
Are you a PhD student interested in learning how to commercialise your research but not sure where to start?
Do you have a business idea that you want to turn into a business venture?
Do you need to bounce off your business idea with an expert?
Are you interested in developing your entrepreneurial skills?
QResearcher Enterprise - Stage 2 is the perfect programme for you.
What will you gain?
By participating in stage 2 of the QResearcher Enterprise programme, you will:
- acquire key skills and learn techniques in how to research and evaluate a commercial opportunity
- work on a Business Concept Brief that can be used as part of a business plan, pitch deck or as the core of a QIncubator application (stage 3)
- gain 10 QMUL Skills Points
1. The researcher completes and submits an "Innovation Disclosure Form" (IDF) which describes the idea in terms of technology, innovation and proposed market.
- QMI assesses and scores the business idea as it would normally and identifies areas for improvement and/or gaps in the opportunity description.
2. Initial Feedback & Mentoring Session
- QMI provides feedback and discusses the areas for improvement
- QMI and the Researcher agree on a work plan to fill the gaps.
3. Mentored Business Research
- The researcher engages in approx. 10 – 15 hours of business research over 6 weeks with weekly mentoring sessions
- The researcher submits an updated IDF and QMI which is scored again
4. Final Feedback & Mentoring session
- QMI provides feedback with (hopefully) a higher score
- The research can be used as the starting point for a business plan, pitch deck or QIncubator application.
- QMUL PhD students who would like to learn about commercialising their research, but not sure where to start.
- QMUL PhD students who would like to assess if there is a market for their research.
- QMUL PhD students who have a business idea and are looking to validate it.
This programme is currently in the pilot phase with Science & Engineering CDT programmes (MAT, IGGI, AIM and Data-Centric Engineering) before opening it up to all PhD students.
Conditions if you are taking part:
- Researchers must obtain consent from their academic supervisor
- Researchers must enter into an IP agreement if required
- Researchers agree to apply for QMUL PhD Skill Points
19th May: Information session
31st May: Application deadline
w/c 1st June: Assessment and application results by 4th June
w/c 7th June: Mentoring session and IDF
Weekly mentoring sessions (4sessions)
9th July: Updated IDF submission
w/c 12th July: Scoring
w/c 19th July: Feedback session / next steps
All dates subject to mentors and panel availability