A Hub of Innovation and Inspiration
The University of Bristol and Bristol Innovations recently hosted the annual Festival of Enterprise, an event that illustrates the interface between research and entrepreneurship. This Festival brought together a diverse group of researchers, postgraduate students, and industry professionals, all eager to explore and celebrate the entrepreneurial applications of academic research. Featuring insightful presentations, dynamic competitions, and plenty of networking opportunities, the Festival highlighted the university’s commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial spirit within its academic and research community.
A Celebration of Research and Entrepreneurship
The event began with a warm welcome from Professor Judith Squires, Deputy
Vice-Chancellor, who set the tone for a day full of innovation and collaboration. The morning sessions, chaired by Prof Ian Bond and Prof Jeremy Tavare, featured presentations from University Enterprise Fellows (UEFs) from both the current and previous academic years, showcasing their cutting-edge projects and entrepreneurial ventures. The presentations highlighted the impressive potential of academic research to address real-world challenges. Dr Joanna Burch-Brown, Dr Paul Clarke, Prof Charl Faul, Dr Frances Giampapa, Dr Paul Golf, Dr Camilla Morelli and Dr Laszlo Talas each spoke with warmth and enthusiasm about their enterprising journeys, showcasing the breadth of what entrepreneurship in academia can entail. Prof Jason Johnson and Dr Andrew Wilson then described the university’s collaboration with Belab1407, illustrating successful pathways from research to market. The focus on practical applications and real-world impact was a recurring theme throughout the day.
PechaKucha Presentations and Awards
The afternoon sessions were particularly engaging, featuring PechaKucha presentations by our early career enterprise fellows (ECEFs) and chaired by Prof Harry Mellor. These concise, fast-paced presentations kept the audience captivated, with each fellow given just a few minutes to present their innovative ideas. The judging panel, Kim Brook of SetSquared Bristol, Alun Williams of Parkwalk Advisors, and Nathan Guest of VWV, evaluated their presentations, and Festival delegates were invited to select the “audience’s choice” prizewinner.
The judges’ choice award went to Rachel Hare, reflecting the impact and engagement of her work on bereavement and the Good Grief project, while the audience’s choice award was given to James Griffith for his exceptional presentation describing innovative technologies to help the aviation industry improve its sustainability credentials. Our other ECEF speakers, Elena Fillola Mayoral, Jennifer Daniel, Dr Grace Pearson, James Uzzell, Kamirul Kamirul, Lingteng Kong and Nicholas Gray were all very highly commended for their thought-provoking and inspiring work.
Networking and Collaboration
Throughout the day, attendees had plenty of opportunity to network and explore the various forms of support available to researchers, emphasizing the university’s role in nurturing early-stage ideas and helping researchers transform them into viable collaborations and businesses.
The Festival of Enterprise was more than just a showcase of research and ideas; it was a celebration of the collaborative spirit that characterises the University of Bristol. By providing a platform for researchers to transform their ideas into impactful enterprises, the university is playing a crucial role in addressing global challenges and contributing to economic growth.
Looking Forward
The success of the Festival of Enterprise is a testament to the University’s dedication to advancing research and innovation. As the university continues to champion entrepreneurial endeavours, I expect to see even more groundbreaking projects and spinouts emerging from our research community. The Festival shone a spotlight on the entrepreneurial potential within academic research, and was a celebration of creativity, innovation, and collaboration, and left everyone looking forward to what next year’s Festival will bring.