(NU/1433-30) CAF1: The Provision of Business Consultancy to Assist Commercialisation of University Research.

Tender description

Caf1 is secreted from the bacterium Yersinia pestis to protect it from white blood cells during infection. It is formed from 15 kDa monomers that produce robust, flexible polymers up to 2 μm in length. We aim to create a spinout company that will initially produce Caf1 polymers and coated plasticware/microcarriers for the 2D cell culture market, predominantly focussed on laboratory research, expanding into commercial companies looking to scale up cell production. The Newcastle-based company will supply these products directly to customers, and through marketing partners who have established distribution networks. We are looking for a CEO/COO/Chairperson to work alongside Daniel Peters to develop a business plan that has considered the best market strategy for Caf1 in preparation for spinout formation and achieving the necessary fundraising. 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.