(NU/1433-26) Encortec: The Provision of Business Consultancy to Assist Commercialisation of University Research.

Tender description

Energy harvesting technologies have been a hot topic over the last decade due to their potential to replace batteries as power supplies in locations where mains or wired electricity supplies are not practicable delivering truly fit and forget solutions. However such technologies have presented huge challenges in translating laboratory prototypes into real-world applications. Typical issues faced are insufficient power output, narrow operating frequency range, low system reliability, efficiency and adaptability to real-world operating conditions. In particular, the power generated from existing systems is insufficient to support the data rich measurement and transmission demanded by wireless sensor systems for reliable critical asset monitoring The initial brief of the executive will be to: Develop a detailed business plan, considering the best route-to market and marketing strategy. Work with the existing team to map out the key activities and resources needed to launch and finance the business and raise funds to support these activities. This may transition into an executive role within the company possibly as CCO. The team have all the technical skills necessary to achieve the product development milestones but lack the necessary commercial experience. Lot 1: Newcastle, Sunderland, Northumbria, Durham, Teesside universities together with the University of Bath on behalf of the SETsquared Partnership (the Enterprise collaboration of the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey) and any other HE Institution that wishes to join this DPS, as detailed in the Office for Students Register, https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/the-register/the-ofs-register/ will 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 individual further competition. The typical brief of an executive will 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 company formation matters; (d) Provide to the appropriate university all matters necessary for Research England and ESIF reporting requirements; (e) Secure (venture capital and/or other) funding in accordance with the business plan. This will be a cyclical process throughout the entire Research England, and potential ESIF project along with any additional funding streams.