Business and management consultancy and related services

Tender description

Nascent Semiconductor (NS) is a proposed spin out from Durham University’s Department of Engineering. It intends to develop electronic technology that can operate in environments that are not possible with conventional, commercially available semiconductor technologies. The vision for NS is a research intensive, self-sustaining business, helping a range of customers solve diverse extreme environment engineering problems, for example those containing very high temperature, radioactive and/or chemically aggressive species. Activity of the business will include: design, modelling and integration of manufactured components and real-life market testing. To make NS a reality, we are looking for a business adviser who is able to optimise the vision, work alongside the academic founder and lead on all commercial aspects of NS to enable the transition from University pre-spin out to a fully-fledged Northeast company. This will entail developing a business plan, engaging potential customers and obtaining the first investment. The advisor will need to have experience in the transfer of early TRL research to a commercial product in a range of markets, including those where high reliability is the primary focus. The CEO will need to have a demonstrable track record in the development of semiconductor components, ideally with knowledge/experience of silicon carbide. Knowledge of the silicon carbide supply chain and major companies involved in the manufacture of silicon carbide devices will be an advantage. Newcastle, Durham, Sunderland and Northumbria universities, in common with universities throughout the UK, have advanced relevant systems and procedures and also dedicate significant public resource to both research and commercialisation of that research. A key route to commercialisation is the creation of a new business (a spin-out company) wherein the intellectual property (IPR) developed exclusively licenced to a university start-up company in exchange for (founders) shares in that company. The universities ill engage suitably qualified and experienced executives through the DPS as and when required over the DPS period. The specific requirements will be detailed in each further competition. The initial brief of the executive for which he/she will be paid, dependent upon the scope of the specific project engagement sought, either a payment or a combination of a payment and a share/stock option will typically be to: (a) produce a viable business plan; (b) obtain university approval for the venture; (c) act for the company in the spin-out legal process and address all the company formation matters; (d) provide to the appropriate university all matters necessary for ESIF and Research England reporting requirements; (e) secure (venture capital and/or other) funding in accordance with the business plan.