That’s the ambitious goal Imperial Enterprise is working towards.
Scientific creativity represents our best chance to address global challenges and grasp global opportunities. When combined with real-world insight and commercial innovation, magic happens – or technology that might be indistinguishable from it.
To maximise impact, we need to reflect on and develop our innovation ecosystem. One thing you can’t help but learn at an institution like Imperial is the value of interdisciplinary exchange. We know we can’t do this alone.
One locus of activity here is Founders Choice, Imperial's approach to forming startups. It's five years since we launched it, and we're keen to explore how we can improve it to increase startup activity, smooth friction, achieve better outcomes for founders and ultimately increase impact. We are consulting widely with colleagues, partners and investors – and I would love for you to get in touch.
University startup debates often stop at the question of equity. We know that's an important factor, but it's not the only one. Along with University colleagues around the UK, we have contributed to a Cambridge University report on the reality of UK University approaches. Combining rigorous insights like these with our own experiences and those of our partners and friends is essential to creating an ecosystem that maximises impact and is fit for challenges.
Alongside the above, we have developed our remit to offer entrepreneurial support to all Imperial founders, delivered by our Incubation Services team. As the Venture Catalyst Challenge enters its tenth year (and applications for 2023 open), I’m reminded of the impact our ecosystem can have – alumni startup Notpla, developing seaweed-based packaging for FMCG, was nominated last week for the Earthshot prize.
Greater impact. Better exchange and flow of ideas. Lives saved, carbon reduced, sustainable practices, groundbreaking new products or therapies. These are some of the promises of an innovation ecosystem. Let’s achieve those promises together.
Best wishes,
Dr Simon Hepworth
Director of Enterprise
Imperial College London
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