Our first
years
Contents
Foreword from UCL President and Provost 5
Introduction from UCL’s Vice-Provost (Enterprise) 7
Overview from UCL Advances’ Director 9
UCL Advances’ activities 11
UCL Advances by numbers 13
An amazing 48 hours for UCL Advances 15
Directory of programmes 17
Our first five years 29
Entrepreneurial alumni 48
Press coverage 50
Our team 54
Planned UCL Advances Programmes 56
Partners and Funders 57
4
Foreword from UCL
President and Provost
Staff, students and alumni at UCL have an This is indicative not only of the strength of
outstanding record of academic achievement, their planning and perseverance, but of UCL’s
often developing new innovations that dedication to innovation and enterprise.
have gone on to transform society, be it in UCL Advances has done much in its first
medicine, technology or social development. five years to build upon the heritage of
Many of these incredible accomplishments entrepreneurship that has been so well
could not be achieved without the backing of established, building valuable links with local
a university that works hard to engender an companies and potential investors, as well as
atmosphere of entrepreneurial activity and supporting students throughout the early stages
support for enterprise. of their business endeavours. This enables
The impact Small and Medium Enterprises students to seamlessly make the transition from
(SMEs) have on the UK’s economy is university to business, and leave UCL equipped
considerable. They currently account for more with a wealth of knowledge and guidance
than 99% of businesses in the UK and generate to draw upon. It also helps existing small
almost 50% of total private sector turnover, businesses from outside of UCL to make the
making it vital for UCL to work with this element journey inwards, benefitting our core mission
of the economy. SMEs are currently facilitating of research-led teaching and maximising the
many of the technological and innovative impact UCL’s capability can have in society.
advances that are already prominent in our It is my pleasure to introduce this five year
daily lives, and so for UCL to be working with review of UCL Advances, and I look forward
these businesses puts us at the forefront of to its continued success.
innovation, and feeds back into much of
our research.
The entrepreneurial history of UCL is
impressive. Notable alumni range from
Edwin Waterhouse, one of the founders of
Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Colin Chapman
of Lotus Cars, Andrew Jacobs of Giraffe
Restaurants, and Nadhim Zahawi of YouGov,
and the current cohort of students are set to
continue UCL’s enterprising tradition. Promoting
entrepreneurial ventures is a key priority at UCL,
and we encourage our students to develop
their ideas throughout their degree and beyond.
Over the last five years, UCL Advances has
developed our support for the next generation
of entrepreneurs, helping them secure finance,
training and connections to networks they need
to start and prosper. Despite the economic
climate, our students have managed to secure
loans and funding for their business ideas and
have gone on to have great financial success.
5
“The UCL Advances Hatchery
is a fantastic environment
for student start-ups, where
advice and support is at
hand whenever it might
be required. This is critical
at the early stages when
companies are experiencing
rapid changes and growth
for the first time.”
Chester Mojay-Sinclare
Founder, Charity Checkout (Philosophy, BA, 2011)
6
Introduction from UCL’s
Vice-Provost (Enterprise)
Since its foundation in 2007, UCL Advances With exciting new projects in the pipeline such
has been a pioneer among UK universities. as the digital enterprise support initiative UCL
Having established itself as a national leader DECIDE (Digital Enterprise: Collaborative
in the field of entrepreneurship, it forms part Innovation, Development and Evaluation),
of the aptly named UCL Enterprise, and has the world’s largest ‘living lab’ for media and
continued to propel UCL to the forefront of digital start-ups, there is much to be looking
entrepreneurial activity within the UK’s Higher forward to over the coming years. As more
Education sector. UCL students take advantage of the array
Over the past five years, major projects such of services provided by UCL Advances, we
as the university-business collaboration will continue to adapt to meet their needs
initiative HELO and business mentoring and transform the way students engage with
scheme SMILE have enabled UCL Advances business and society.
to cater to a broader audience than ever The transformation of UCL Advances from an
before, whilst encouraging entrepreneurship in idea, the first of its kind in the UK, to a globally
every corner of UCL. Would-be entrepreneurs recognised leader in entrepreneurship could
from disciplines as diverse as archaeology, not have been achieved without the hard
philosophy, geography, science and work of the UCL Advances team, and I would
technology studies, mechanical engineering like to thank them for their commitment and
and brain sciences have flourished under dedication over the past five years.
the guidance of UCL Advances’ business
advisors, indicative of the increasing
communication between UCL Advances
and the entire academic spectrum at UCL.
The immediate impact made by UCL
Advances extends to a multitude of
universities, start-ups and SMEs across
London, as well as schools in local
communities. Beyond London, the
development of partnerships between
Advances and enterprises such as Goldman
Sachs, NACUE, Santander and Microsoft
have been fundamental in creating a status
that is recognised across the UK. Many of the
operations UCL Advances is now involved in
have also created global connections, such
as the China UK Challenge and a Fulbright
scholarship in entrepreneurship, indicative
of its evolution in the last five years and
appropriate for a university such as UCL with
a global reputation.
7
Of 25 participants in
the first cohort of the
London Goldman Sachs
10,000 Small Businesses
Programme, three offered
internships to UCL
students, one has applied
for a KTP with UCL and 14
have taken mentors from
the SMILE programme.
8
Overview from UCL
Advances’ Director
Timothy Barnes
Director, UCL Advances
UCL Advances is the centre for Inspiration for UCL Advances was drawn
entrepreneurship and business interaction from a variety of sources including the
at UCL. Its primary role is to promote a Technology Ventures programme at Stanford
culture of entrepreneurship on campus and University and the Rice Alliance at Rice
engagement with entrepreneurs and small University in Texas. I am a UCL alumnus and
businesses beyond UCL’s boundaries. It was recruited from the private sector to lead
began in August 2007 as a sister unit to the UCL Advances from its launch and reshape
new academic department of Management these ideas for a British educational and
Science and Innovation (MS&I). entrepreneurship context.
The development of the two units was In 2009, UCL Advances moved from within
a response to the observation that after UCL’s Faculty of Engineering to become
many years of effort, UCL was improving its a unit of UCL Enterprise, underlining its
performance in working with established, role in servicing the needs of all of UCL’s
larger businesses, but was still struggling to entrepreneurs, whatever faculty and
engage effectively with entrepreneurs, small department they might be affiliated to. It helps
and medium-sized businesses. The changes to push out new entrepreneurial ventures and
were intended to produce a new atmosphere pull in external new businesses that could
in which entrepreneurship would be welcomed benefit form UCL’s skills, talent and know-how.
and UCL would be set on the path to a global
leadership role, in keeping with its status as
one of the world’s top universities.
The development of the two units was led
by Prof Steve Currall, head of department
for MS&l; Prof Bernard Buxton, Dean of
Engineering; Prof Mike Spyer, Vice-Provost
(Enterprise); and Dr David Chapman,
Director of the Centre for Enterprise and the
Management of Innovation, a pre-cursor to
the new activities.
Other universities were experiencing many
of the same problems in understanding and
delivering on the needs of smaller entities,
but UCL’s response was unique. Framed by
UCL’s location in London and partnership
with the London Business School in place of
its own business-focused academic activity,
UCL elected to focus on academic research
through MS&I and support for entrepreneurs
inside and outside of UCL through
UCL Advances.
9
24 directly employed
members of full
and part time staff
supported by eight
associate staff, who
help deliver over 30
activity programmes.
10
UCL Advances’ activities
11
UCL Advances delivered
2,500+ places on student
programmes in 2011/12
with a target of 4,000 pa.
by the end of 2014 /15.
12
UCL Advances by numbers
Staff numbers
2007 2010 2012
3.8 10 32
13
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Here Timothy Barnes feeds back to the UCL
eu no g
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iro 12:21 The entrepreneurs and small businesses
.
UCL, went over to say hello, offered support and tweeted about it. which we work so hard to support have had
Joel, when he saw Jive Bike’s stand, worked out they were from some tremendous successes, and show why
UCL Advances
UCL being just two examples. Being part of this community is why marrying talented students and small business
wider business support and helping set him up with an intern from owners with the very best in advice, support and
funding from our nation’s best universities is so
Timothy Barnes,
the benefits that being part of the UCL community can provide –
important.
A great 48 hours
48
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17:01 The winner of last year’s London
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who represent the country as a whole.
ne o t o re
xt ne f d
Entrepreneurs’ Challenge, Jive Bike, were
to o
including MPs and regular party members
hi f
first carbon fibre, folding, electric bike. Their
s.
there with a physical prototype for the world’s
16
Directory of
programmes
The breadth of activities undertaken at UCL Advances can be seen
Business
here in a directory of our current projects. Our Student Ventures
Programme encompasses a host of schemes to help familiarise
Researchers
students with the world of business and prepare them for their
exploration of entrepreneurship. Training and networking activities
Students
are also geared toward researchers and business professionals,
uniting students with those who can help them launch successful
careers. As well as activities provided exclusively by UCL Advances, Training
there are a number of programmes that run in conjunction with
a variety of external partners. These help to foster networking Networking
opportunities, and there are many occasions where students can
enter both national and international competitions that will enable Support
them to boost their entrepreneurial profiles.
Our programmes
For researchers and businesses, the projects run by UCL Advances cover a wide range
are an ideal opportunity to take advantage of the pool of talent of disciplines and
available at UCL. Excellent relationships have been forged through areas of activity.
Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) and Knowledge Exchange Each project has
Associate (KEA) programmes, and are mutually beneficial for a key indicating
businesses and students alike. the areas of activity
A variety of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) options are and the type
available for those wishing to gain certification in a particular aspect of service UCL
of business management, and are all run through UCL Advances’ Advances provides.
training centre. Guest lectures, boot camps and Technology
Innovation Forums add to the variety of programmes on offer, to
cater for all requirements and interests.
17
Business
Researchers
(Ad)Ventures
Students (Ad)Ventures is a dining club that brings together those
who founded a company during their time at UCL
(as a student or a staff member) with those currently
Training starting up a business whilst at UCL. Experience and
wisdom will be shared to help foster the current group of
Networking UCL entrepreneurs.
Support
Business
Researchers
BizSpark
Students BizSpark is an innovative programme that unites start-
ups with entrepreneurial and technology resources in a
global community with a common goal of supporting and
Training
accelerating the success of a new generation of high-
potential start-ups. BizSpark provides fast, easy access
Networking
to current full-featured Microsoft development tools and
Support production licenses of server products, professional
technical support from Microsoft, and connections to a
global community of business experts who can help guide
you through the hurdles of growing your business.
When start-ups enter into the BizSpark programme,
they are included on the online start-ups directory
MicrosoftStartupZone, given access to a united, global
community of support resources, and connected with
Network Partners who will manage their participation.
UCL Advances has joined with BizSpark and are able
to support start-ups as their network partner.
Find out more at:
www.ucl.ac.uk/advances/support/bizspark
18
China UK Business
Researchers
Challenge Students
Training
The Challenge consists of two
strands: firstly, the Tomorrow’s Networking
Leaders Track revolves around
student-led business idea Support
entries. This encourages
current students and recent
graduates to explore new,
international ventures.
Secondly is the Innovative Business Track. This is for
non-university business idea entries which would facilitate
already established businesses to look into growth areas,
new products and services.
The China UK Entrepreneurship Competition aims to
encourage new business ventures between China and the
United Kingdom and is intended to simulate the real-world
process of entrepreneurs soliciting start-up funds from
early-stage investors and venture capital firms.
Find out more at: www.ucl.ac.uk/advances/support/
competitions/advances/support/chinaukchallenge
Researchers
“a big interest Citrus Saturday, developed with inspiration from the Students
nationwide project Lemonade Day in the US, has been
in business.” set up to encourage entrepreneurial skills in young people Training
and help them gain confidence in a working environment.
Using a handbook called ‘How to be an entrepreneur’, Networking
pupils at local schools and youth groups were mentored
by UCL students and then went on to market and sell their Support
lemonade in prime locations across central London.
At the first event run in London in 2011, over £1,200 OpenInnovation
Collaborate To Innovate
19
Business
Researchers
CleanTech
Students
Training
Challenge
The CleanTech Challenge (CTC) is a student competition
jointly hosted by London Business School and UCL that
Networking
was launched in 2009.
Support The competition is a unique platform through which
students can bring innovative clean technology ideas
from the concept phase to a stage in which they could
realistically expect to attract funding or be self-sustainable.
Over 100 top business and technical/science schools are
invited to participate and ten finalist teams are selected to
compete in live ‘Boot Camp’ finals in London for £10,000.
There are more than 200 ideas submitted to the challenge
every year, and previous winners have included MBA,
PhD and Masters students from locations as diverse as
Germany, Sweden, China and the United States.
Business
Researchers
“Really helpful, great
speaker, engaged the
Students
Communicating whole time, will put
into practice”
Science to
Training
stated one participant, while another
Networking found the sessions
Support
Business “useful to become
more confident and
This is a series of three workshops, focussing on the
skills needed by academics and early career researchers.
learn new networking
These skills can then enable researchers to maximise the techniques.”
benefits of presenting their academic research to business
audiences. The 2012 workshops have been based around
the topics ‘How to engage with business’, ‘How to become
a more confident and effective networker’, and ‘Presenting
to business’. These topics are able to cover the key
elements that researchers and academics will face when
beginning to approach businesses about sponsorship or
potential collaborations. For participants that attend all
three workshops in the same academic year, a CPD
(Certificate of Personal Development) will be awarded
to mark their achievements.
Previous workshop leaders have included Alan Stevens,
a media coach, professional speaker and writer, Sue
Tonks, a professional speaker and trainer, and Jeff Skinner,
a lecturer in entrepreneurship at London Business School
and previously the Commercial Director of UCL.
Find out more at: www.ucl.ac.uk/advances/researchers/
training/science-business
20
“The single most
engaging and Enterprise Business
Researchers
insightful workshop
I have attended in my Boot Camp Students
Training
six years at UCL,” Boot camps are offered to students across the whole of
UCL as a means of learning basic business concepts, Networking
was a recent participant’s comment, as well as gaining experience of real life business
and the boot camps have been highly scenarios. The camps can help students from any Support
recommended by others. One student academic discipline demystify the business world and
said that the skills they had learned would acquire the knowledge that will make a career in business
more accessible. They are run across three days and no
“help me to get a business knowledge or experience is required. The boot
camps have been a great success and feedback from
competitive edge,” students has been extremely positive. They typically cater
to between 120 and 150 people.
and further feedback described the boot
camps as: Find out more at:
www.ucl.ac.uk/advances/students/training/bootcamp
Researchers
Training
Each year, UCL Advances organises a series of guest
lectures from leading entrepreneurs and investors. These Networking
inspirational speakers provide an insight into the highs and
lows of being an entrepreneur and share advice for those Support
wishing to start their own business or who have already
embarked on this journey. The event is open to everyone
including staff and students from UCL and the London
Business School. Many guest lecturers are UCL alumni
who have gone on to successfully found and run their own
start-ups, as well as seasoned entrepreneurs with
years of experience.
21
Business
Researchers
EPIC
Students The European Pre-Incubation Consortium is led by UCL
Advances and includes members from France, Scotland,
England, Ireland, Germany and Belgium. It is designed to
Training connect small businesses across North-West Europe that
could be doing business together in the earliest stages of
Networking their development, when it can be difficult to find overseas
customers and suppliers. In building new commercial
Support
relationships, many of these businesses will bypass the
need for early external funding and have more sustainable
OpenInnovation long-term activities.
Collaborate To Innovate
Find out more at: 020 3108 3278 | advances@ucl.ac.uk
22
“10,000 Small
Businesses introduced Goldman Business
Researchers
us to entrepreneurs
and academics Sachs Students
10,000 Small
Training
who’ve faced the same
Networking
trials and tribulations.
Businesses
Support
Together we’re helping
each other plan a
profitable journey of The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme
is designed to unlock the economic and job creation
future growth for our potential of small businesses and social enterprises
operating in the United Kingdom. The programme is based
businesses. It’s hard on the broadly held view of leading experts that greater
access to education and business support services is the
work and it’s exciting.” best way to address barriers
Daniel Fagerson to growth.
Managing Director, Salt.TV The programme is designed
for leaders of small businesses
“UCL Advances has and social enterprises with
clear ambitions to grow. They
provided the kind of will benefit from targeted
support and resources to help
high quality delivery that them define and achieve their
business growth aspirations.
we needed in London Goldman Sachs and UCL
to make the programme have an extensive network of organisations and partners.
The core workshops are delivered by a combination of
work and build a practitioners and experts who have extensive practical
experience working with, and understanding the needs
lasting community of small business leaders.
23
Business
Researchers
The Hatchery “Being able to use
the UCL Advances
Students The Hatchery provides office space for start-ups run by student Hatchery
current students or recent alumni, providing them with a
Training
valuable base for their business when in its early stages. gave The Sport
Time is allocated in six month slots free of charge, and
with the close proximity to the UCL Advances team, Review a much-
Networking students can access support and guidance from the
Student Business Advisors. There are currently 26 student needed base from
Support
businesses operating from the Hatchery. which we were able
Currently based in the UCL Hatchery:
to successfully drive
the business to the
next level.”
Martin Caparrotta
Founder, The Sports Review (Italian
and Business Management, BA, 2010)
24
HELO
One client found that the
HELO programme Business
academic research
and practitioner
knowledge,
leading to a better
understanding of how INTER-CEP Business
Researchers
public policy affects The International Centre for Entrepreneurship Policy is a
Students
entrepreneurship new activity managed by UCL Advances and Georgetown
University. Supported by the British Council, the objective
Training
and of how is to bring together those interested in the public policies
that govern and promote entrepreneurship to lead to more
entrepreneurship informed decision-making and communication of the best
ideas across borders. As a forum for sharing expertise in
Networking
can inform public the form of case studies, from both academic research Support
and practitioner knowledge, INTER-CEP provides a bridge
policy debate.” between knowledge-based organisations and potentially
Timothy Barnes high growth business start-ups.
Director UCL Advances Find out more at: www.inter-cep.com
25
UCL Advances
provides training
for businesses,
researchers
and students
5
Our first
years
Our first 5 years
UCL Advances: 2007– 2012 and beyond
The first five years at UCL Advances
has seen the introduction of major new
initiatives, the expansion of the team
from just four to over 30 people, and an
influx of over £7m in funding for UCL
Advances’ activities.
There has been impressive growth in The first UCL Technology
the number of students participating Innovation Forum in
October 2007: “The
in the Student Venture Programme, as
Future of Imaging”
well as considerable increases in the
number of researchers and businesses
utilising the services on offer.
This timeline gives an overview from
the launch to today, and shows how
far UCL Advances has come from its
foundation in 2007 to being a leading
centre for entrepreneurship and
business interaction.
2007
07 2008
UCL Additions
developed since the
formation of UCL
Advances
Formation of
UCL Advances
August 2007
First Enterprise Boot Camps held October 2009
OpenCoffee Club
moves to UCL
March 2008
2010
2009
UCL Advances
becomes a partner of
Microsoft BizSpark, the
first outside of the US,
November 2008
Over 100 students
advised about their
business ideas in first six
months of AY2011/12
London
Entrepreneurship A dozen student
Online launched companies funded
October 2010 between August 2011
and 2012
UCL Advances
Summer Programme
First resident of founded in 2011
the UCL Advances
Hatchery,
aliveandgiving.com,
joined August 2010 The European Pre-Incubation
Consortium (EPIC) launched
August 2011
2012
10 11
2011
UCL Advances
reaches 10 people First KTP schemes run
through UCL Advances
in August 2011
Ten years since The London Entrepreneurs’ Challenge was launched by
Timothy Barnes. Now the oldest continually running programme of its
type in the UK with over 5,000 registered participants since its launch
12 13
2013
Business
Researchers
Knowledge “The KTP has been
a great success for
Students
Training
Transfer all involved.”
Andrew Budgen, Partner at Spacelab
Networking
Support
Partnerships “Already KTP has
helped us develop
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) supports UK
businesses wanting to improve their competitiveness, a ground-breaking
productivity and performance by accessing the
knowledge and expertise available within UK product for healthcare
Universities. KTP will provide businesses with a recent
graduate (Associate) who will enable the transfer of
professionals.”
academic knowledge to the company based on their Dr Marc Farr
own area of expertise. Head of Product Development at
Dr Foster Intelligence Ltd
The partnerships typically run from six months up to
three years so companies are able to build up a
working relationship with their Associate and
subsequently gain a qualified member of the team
who can head up new projects.
Find out more at: www.ucl.ac.uk/advances/support/ktp
36
“The Entrepreneurs’
Challenge is a great London Business
Researchers
Challenge
Training
to gain access to a
Networking
huge pool of talent
Support
and ideas.” The London Entrepreneurs’ Challenge is a workshop
programme and business plan competition open to all
Anthony Morris members of UCL, Royal Veterinary College, Birkbeck,
London Business School, 2003 SOAS, and the London Business School that aims to show
participants the process of starting a business by helping
“Winning the London them do it for themselves. In the initial stage, participants
are required to produce an executive summary. This is
Entrepreneurs’ followed in the second stage by a more detailed business
plan which is judged for the grand final at the end of
Challenge was the the term. Throughout the process there are overall and
category cash prizes totalling £15,000.
initial kick off for our
idea. It gave us the Over the course of the challenge, workshops will be
run by mentors covering topics such as intellectual
injection to go further property, funding a business and assessing what makes
a good idea. There are also a wide range of networking
with it.” opportunities between the participants and professionals
interested in new businesses, as well as with other
Martin Poschenrieder students.
CEO, Tipgain and winner of the 2011
London Entrepreneurs’ Challenge The 2012 E-Challenge winning prize went to Jive, which
developed a folding electric bike with a smart phone
application that would run and navigate the bike.
Find out more at: www.londonentrepreneurschallenge.com
37
Business
Researchers
The Mobile
Students
Training
Academy
Mobile Monday London, the capital’s largest community
Networking for people involved in mobile technology, and UCL
Advances have teamed up to launch The Mobile
Support Academy, a practical, ten-week / 36-hour evening
programme for anyone keen to start or continue their
journey in mobile innovation.
Unlike other courses, The Mobile Academy focuses
on the business, design and technological aspects of
OpenInnovation developing successful mobile products, services and
Collaborate To Innovate
Business
Researchers
OpenCoffee
Students
Training
Club
The OpenCoffee Club was started in London in March
Networking 2007 to give people interested in business start-ups and
entrepreneurship a chance to meet up and discuss ideas,
Support and help establish important contacts and support to
encourage business growth.
It provides students and those already running their own
start-ups with crucial networking opportunities and the
potential to draw upon others’ experience. London already
has an active members group so for anyone at UCL
exploring entrepreneurship, this is a brilliant opportunity
to expand their knowledge and meet like-minded people.
The initiative has now gone global, and OpenCoffee Club
meetings are being held in over 80 cities in the world.
Find out more at: www.opencoffee.ning.com
38
“The Technology
Strategy course Short Courses in Business
Researchers
Management
Training
first class joint effort
Networking
between UCL,
Support
Dr. Andrea Masini and UCL Advances organises training for entrepreneurs,
small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and UCL
his guest speakers. members. The Short Courses in Small Company
Management are aimed at SMEs and UCL members who
The knowledge need extra training in specific business-related areas. The
courses attract both academics and professionals creating
gained by the a dynamic and interesting learning environment. UCL
attendees through Advances short courses have been accredited by the CPD
certification service.
the facilitation of Courses have been designed to cater to different levels
of experience, and are categorised as fundamentals,
discussion of theory intermediate or advanced. A selection of the courses on
and practice, and offer includes technology strategy, entrepreneurial finance,
an introduction to business law and the dynamic
with the practical leadership programme.
Find out more at:
exercises also set www.ucl.ac.uk/advances/training/short-courses
39
Business
Researchers
SMILE “Universities are a
great source of
Students
SMILE (Selected Mentors and Interims for London Enterprises)
is an initiative developed by UCL Advances to help London-
practical business
Training
based SMEs grow and develop by analysing business needs support for small
and connecting them to business mentors.
Businesses that have benefitted from SMILE include Teachus,
businesses, and
Networking
a leading private tuition service which has now gone on to
secure a major schools contract this summer, Fulham Hair &
SMILE is a perfect
Support
Scalp who are now exploring the introduction of a product line example of this.”
at Harrods, and photography company Peasy Photos who were
Hitul Thobhani
able to refine their business model and take the business in an
Co-founder, Kidz4Mation
exciting new direction.
The relationships built through the SMILE initiative can be a long
term benefit to an SME. The start-up publishing company for
children Kidz4Mation nominated their mentor, Delwar Hossain
for the Best Mentor award in 2011 after he helped them to
develop their business, which he subsequently won.
Find out more at:
www.ucl.ac.uk/advances/business/support/smile
Business
Researchers
Student “The strength of our
trial and the amazing
Students
Training
Business backing we’ve had
from the team at UCL
Networking
Support
Advisors Advances has got us
where we are today
UCL Advances business advisors can provide students
(undergraduate and postgraduate) and recent alumni with
with the launch of
business support to help them start and develop their
businesses. The advisors offer impartial, confidential
Monstercard.”
advice that is grounded in practicality and based on guidance Alex Emms
that reflects the students’ personal aspirations and goals. Co-founder, Monstercard (Civil
Engineering, BEng, 2013)
Advice can be provided on, amongst other things, business
planning, cash-flow forecasting, competition analysis, marketing
and promotion. The advisors have access to contacts and
resources, and knowledge of initiatives such as competitions,
mentoring, funding programmes and investment opportunities.
The UCL Advances Business Advisors can help avoid the
pitfalls and traps experienced by many new entrepreneurs. They
understand the complex processes that are part of setting up a
business, and are able to identify the problems that are inherent
in developing a business idea.
Find out more at:
www.ucl.ac.uk/advances/students/business-advice
40
“The UCL Advances
internship scheme Student Business
Researchers
Programme
Training
university and the
Networking
workplace as it
Support
provides the ideal The Student Internship Programme (SIP) is aimed at
supporting interns while they gain valuable hands-on work
chance to navigate experience. The intern is based within a micro, small or
medium-sized enterprise to carry out a range of activities
from student life into intended to help their host business to grow.
the working world.” This includes training, shadowing and work related
Issariya Udomritkul tasks specified by the business. It is an eight week
(Anthropology, BSc, 2009) full-time programme for which the intern is paid a
training allowance by UCL for their living costs. We ask
small to medium enterprises to send us their internship
opportunities and students to send us their CVs. We then
match the students with the opportunities accordingly and
monitor the internship until the end.
The programme is mutually beneficial for both parties
involved, and over the summer of 2012, UCL Advances
was able to support fifty students in various internships.
If student applicants are considered to be a good match
for one of the businesses offering an internship, they will
be required to attend the three day UCL Enterprise Boot
Camp prior to beginning their placement. This is intended
to give students the skills necessary to make the most of
the opportunities on offer during their internship.
Find out more at:
www.ucl.ac.uk/advances/support/internship-progamme
41
Business
Researchers
Technology
Students
Innovation
Forums
Training
Networking
Support
UCL Advances hosts regular Technology Innovation
Forum events on a variety of subjects providing networking
opportunities for businesses and investors to engage with the
highest quality exponents of leading technologies. These events
focus on science-led innovation and future technologies.
The forums attract a rich mix of stakeholders, both in terms
of fields of interest (industry or discipline) and perspectives
(researchers, users, investors). The purpose of the events is to
stimulate new interactions – particularly between communities
that haven’t been engaged before – which may lead to new
relationships, collaborations, and commercial products for the
benefit of society.
The first forum held back in October 2007 was based on
imaging technologies. Previous forum topics have included the
future of telecoms and convergent media, the future of sport,
the future of finance and the future of medicine. As the forums
are developed further from 2013 onwards, they will take on a
tighter format, allowing for niche topic discussion tailored to
specific interests.
Find out more at: www.ucl.ac.uk/advances/networking/tif
Business
Researchers
UCL Additions
UCL Additions is a social networking site that links
Students
communities of interest involving UCL and businesses,
investors and entrepreneurs, in a forum where members
Training can find potential collaboration partners and manage the
development of projects. With UCL Additions you can
Networking strengthen existing networks, find new contacts and take
your ideas forward in groups based around communities
Support of interest. You can also access relevant job and funding
opportunities, training and events.
UCL Additions is a UCL Advances project that has been
developed for UCL by MegaNexus. Development of UCL
Additions has been part-funded by the National Endowment
for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) in recognition
of its novel approach to opening university knowledge
transfer opportunities.
Find out more at: www.ucladditions.com
42
“The start-up summer
school has been a UCL Advances Business
Researchers
fantastic opportunity
for students to Summer Students
Programme
Training
develop their ideas Networking
in a business
Support
environment. They The scheme runs over a period of seven weeks, allowing
teams to develop their ideas and work closely with their
have really risen to mentors, ending with a Dragon’s Den style pitch to a
panel of venture capitalists and angel investors in order to
that opportunity. determine the winner of the programme. Student teams
receive a £2,000 project budget and £10,000 worth of
The way they have YouGov market research. In 2011 over 100 students from
been putting into UCL and Imperial College London applied for the project.
Five teams were selected on the basis of proposed
practice everything business plans and then attended a series of master
classes and workshops designed to enhance their
they have learned entrepreneurial knowledge and skills. 2011 master classes
were led by well known entrepreneurs including Martha
during their time on Lane Fox, Margaret Heffernan and Brent Hoberman.
the scheme has really The StartUp Summer initiative was introduced in July 2011
and forms part of a wider scheme announced by David
made us proud.” Cameron called StartUp Britain, aimed at regenerating
Dr Itxaso de Palacio Aguirre interest in small businesses and helping support potential
Teaching Fellow, Management Science new start-ups. UCL Advances have developed StartUp
and Innovation – one of the session Summer along with Imperial College and YouGov Plc.
leaders for students Find out more at:
www.ucl.ac.uk/advances/students/training/
summerprogramme
43
Business
Researchers
UCL Angels
Students UCL Angels is an informal angels group that provides seed
investment to student-led companies and other London SMEs
engaged with UCL Advances programmes. UCL would like
Training
to facilitate a way for companies to access seed funding from
individuals who believe in the business. This relatively small
Networking
amount of funding would enable companies to develop proof
of concept and progress their businesses significantly.
Support
Find out more at: www.ucl.ac.uk/advances/support/uclangels
Business
Researchers
UCL Awards for
Students
Training
Enterprise
The annual UCL Awards for Enterprise honour the efforts and
Networking accomplishments of UCL’s innovative and entrepreneurial
academics and students. The awards ceremony and
Support reception highlight UCL as a leading hub of innovation and
commercial activity, while bringing together academics with
businesses and investors.
UCL is the only university in the UK to celebrate enterprise
and the entrepreneurialism of our staff, students and
graduates on campus, and our commercial partners and
leaders off campus, in such a high-profile manner.
Over the last five years nearly 20 academics have been
recognised for their achievements, as have nearly 20
businesses, and over 50 student businesses have been
supported by our recognition and with monetary prizes.
Find out more at:
www.ucl.ac.uk/enterprise/about/awards
44
“It was an incredible
opportunity which I YELLOW Business
Researchers
an early stage the art UCL Advances has bursaries for young entrepreneurs
who want to visit another EU member state to gain
of entrepreneurship such experience. Host entrepreneurs from high growth
SMEs are also particularly welcome. Potential hosts
and how to avoid are encouraged to register with UCL Advances if they
are seeking new ideas from young and innovative
risks. In the future, entrepreneurs.
I hope that I will, in Find out more at:
www.ucl.ac.uk/advances/business/support/erasmus
turn, become the
host entrepreneur
and return the favour
to another new
entrepreneur in the
European Union.”
Lucian Avadani
New Entrepreneur, UK
45
UCL Advances
helps you expand
your network to
meet the people
and businesses
needed to develop
new ideas
Entrepreneurial alumni
UCL has a long history of Nadhim Zahawi Andrew Jacobs (Economics, 1991)
outstanding entrepreneurial (Chemical Engineering, 1985) founder of Giraffe Restaurants
alumni, including those that Launched in 1998 by UCL alumnus
founder of YouGov
developed their businesses prior Andrew Jacobs along with Juliette
YouGov, established in the UK in
to the launch of UCL Advances. Joffe and Russel Joffe, the Giraffe
2000, is a market research
This is just a sample of the many restaurant chain is now the fastest
agency open to anyone, and
alumni that have gone on to have growing national restaurant group
aimed at creating a network of
entrepreneurial success. and is expanding overseas.
communication between those with
shared interests. YouGov is now a Embracing music and cuisine
global enterprise since acquiring from around the globe, Giraffe
Past
firms in Germany and the USA, and has been an overwhelming
Edwin Waterhouse (BA, 1860) opening an office in Dubai. Nadhim success and six new sites are
founding partner of entered Parliament as the MP for being planned this year.
PricewaterhouseCoopers Stratford in 2010.
PwC is now the largest professional
services firm in the world, and one Ali Parsa (Civil Engineering, Present
of the ‘Big Four’ accountancy firms. 1987, 1995) founder of Circle, Jay Ruparelia (Statistical
Edwin Waterhouse went into the largest clinical partnership
partnership with Samuel Lowell Science, 2007) and Remal Tailor
in Europe (Mathematics, 2007) co-founders
Price and from 1874 was one of
Since the incredible success
the founding members of Price,
of developing and improving of Teachus, a private and
Waterhouse & Co., until the group tuition service based
Hinchingbrooke Hospital in
company merged with Coopers & in London
Cambridgeshire, once considered
Lybrand in 1998. He was president
one of the area’s worst hospitals, Both Jay Ruparelia and Remal
of the Institute of Chartered
Circle, established in 2005, has Tailor worked for investment
Accountants from 1892–4.
become the largest partnership banking firms for two years after
of healthcare professionals in graduating from UCL in 2007 in
Colin Chapman (Structural Europe. Circle works to provide
Engineering, 1948) founder of order to earn enough money to
hospitals where the owners are start Teachus, a private tutoring
Lotus Cars the employees, putting doctors
At just 24, Colin Chapman founded company, in 2009. Teachus has
and nurses directly in control now gone on to secure a schools
the sports car company Lotus of the running of the hospital.
after leaving the Royal Air Force. contract in the summer of 2012,
Ali Parsa is a recipient of UK and Jay and Remal have now set
Pioneering a new philosophy Young Entrepreneur of the Year,
with regards to car design, the up a summer school programme
and graduated with a PhD in for 350 disadvantaged pupils in
lightweight Lotuses would go on engineering physics from UCL.
to win seven F1 titles between Brent moving from primary to
1962 and 1978. Chapman was secondary school.
Peter Williams (Economics, 1996)
responsible for creating the world-
renowned reputation that the brand and Robert Shaw (Anatomy, 1996) Kes Thygesen (SSEES 2007,
still retains today. co-founders of fashion label MS&I, 2008) launched the
Jack Wills – University Outfitters start-up OVIAhr.com (now
Wayne Hemingway (Geography Having set up the now widely Wowzer) along with a partner
sought after Jack Wills clothing
and town planning, 1982)
line back in 1999, Williams and
in 2002 and went on to found
co-founder fashion label Shaw are now 70% shareholders Rolepoint, another recruitment
Red or Dead in a company that turned a profit of start-up
Wayne Hemingway and his wife £13 million in 2011 alone. Friends Rolepoint is a social networking
Gerardine began their fashion at UCL, the pair initially invested platform that facilitates easier
venture in 1982 by selling items £40,000 of their own savings and communication between
from their own wardrobe at a stall have now launched a sister brand, candidates and employers, and
in Camden. By the end of the year Aubin & Wills, aimed at a more enabling people to recommend
they were running 16 stalls. The mature audience. others that they think would be
brand grew from there on, suitable for a position. This is now
as shops opened in Camden, Kes Thygesen’s biggest project
Manchester and Soho, selling a since starting OVIAhr.com in 2002.
combination of original designs
and second hand clothes. Red
or Dead is now stocked by major
retailers across the UK and last
year launched its own fragrance.
48
Raoul Tawadey (Natural Sciences, Michael Langguth and Oyvind Thomas Walczak (BSc
2009) founder of Circalit, 2010 Henriksen (both MSc Technology Computer Science) founder
Raoul benefitted from using Entrepreneurship, 2011) founders of EventIgnite, 2012
the Hatchery services at UCL of Poq Studio, and previous UCL graduate and previous
Advances in the early stages residents in UCL Advances Hatchery resident Thomas
of his business, and described
it as “a game changer for my
Hatchery has developed EventIgnite,
Founded by UCL students Michael an interactive, cross-device
company”. Circalit is an online
and Oyvind along with Jun Seki in app for organizing events and
publishing platform for writers,
2011, Poq Studio creates branded conferences. The app connects
and enables users to follow their
shopping apps for fashion, all attendees through social media
favourite authors as well as post
jewellery and beauty companies. and enables speed networking
their own reviews, whilst building a
Michael and Oyvind are also at events. It also allows all
readership for their own material.
members of the Microsoft content to be published to mobile
Raoul was one of the winners of
BizSpark programme. devices saving money and the
the 2011 Bright Ideas Awards.
environment.
Chester Mojay-Sinclare (BA Future Brian Hole (PhD Archaeology,
Philosophy, 2011) founder of
current) and Tom Pollard (PhD
Alive and Giving and Charity Artsiom Stavenka (PhD Politics and
Space and Climate Physics, current)
Energy Dialogue) founder of Old
Checkout founders of Ubiquity Press,
Winning both the London Bond Ltd., 2011
Art’s firm, Old Bond, attaches 2012
Entrepreneurs’ Challenge and
the UCL Bright Ideas Award, strips of LEDs to the spokes of Ubiquity Press was founded by
www.charitycheckout.co.uk is bike wheels to display computer- PhD candidates Brian Hole and
a charity search engine and generated images. Old Bond is Tom Pollard at UCL and is now the
comparison site. Founded the first of its kind in utilizing bikes largest open access publisher of
by Chester Mojay-Sinclare, a for mobile advertising, and it is this UCL journals. The flexible publishing
Philosophy graduate from UCL, innovative idea that secured him a model makes journals affordable,
and co-founded by Melissa £7,500 loan from UCL’s fifth annual and enables researchers around
Johnson, also a UCL graduate, Bright Ideas Awards. The company the world to find and access the
Chester has developed Charity is currently based in the UCL information they need, without
Checkout which reached the final Advances Hatchery. barriers. Ubiquity Press is currently
of NACUE’s (National Consortium operating as a spin-off company
of University Entrepreneurs) Daniel Abluch (MSc Technology based on campus.
National Varsity Pitch Competition Entrepreneurship), founder of
in 2011, in the Social Enterprise WeLikeShopping in 2012
category. UCL graduate Daniel Abluch and
co-founder Phil Vengrinovich
Ashton King (MSc Human- launched WeLikeShopping in
Computer Interaction, 2011) early 2011. The website which
founder of TigerSense/Captain helps consumers discover sales
Conversion and new items in clothing stores
TigerSense, now called Captain across London was built via
Conversion, is a user experience communication over Skype while
agency based in London. It Daniel and Phil were working on
works to create instinctive other projects in different countries.
user experiences, which help Daniel and Phil have been able to
companies and organisations build up their team whilst being
deliver successful products, such based in the UCL Advances
as websites, by making them more Hatchery, and successfully
user friendly. Ashton received launched their website
the London Entrepreneurs’ in July 2012.
Challenge 2010 Innovation Central
Bursary. Ashton has recently
worked with UCL Advances in
the redevelopment of the website
having completed his master’s in
Human-Computer Interaction at
UCL in 2009.
49
Press coverage
Universities and company founders boost Business? It’s easy peasy for youngsters
student jobs
“Citrus Saturday, an
“UCL Advances invited initiative set up by
some of the capital’s University College
most dynamic start- London to give young
ups to bid for student people a taste of self-
interns, matched by the made business success,
university to ensure they saw 40 students set up
could hit the ground 10 lemonade stands
running and offer genuine across the borough.”
benefit to the companies
concerned.” Camden New Journal, 12 July, 2012
50
Fledgling ventures flock to London for British university blazes a trail in
seed entrepreneurs business start-ups
51
Bike wheels lead the way for bespoke advertising Get smart with a student
52
UK to teach Americans about start-ups The new route to a fortune
53
Our team
Abigail Freeman Gurpreet Jagpal
Open Innovation Project Manager Deputy Director
020 7679 7525 020 7679 7520
abigail.freeman@ucl.ac.uk g.jagpal@ucl.ac.uk
54
Lillian Shapiro Sangeetha Agalakotuwa
Student Business Advisor Training Assistant
020 7679 7544 020 7679 4518
l.shapiro@ucl.ac.uk s.agalakotuwa@ucl.ac.uk
Samuel Sheppard
Inter-CEP Project Assistant
020 3108 3283
samuel.sheppard@ucl.ac.uk
55
Planned UCL Advances
Programmes
56
Partners and Funders
UCL Advances is funded by a core allocation from UCL’s HEIF allocation, with the majority of additional resources coming
from external contracts to provide training and business support services. UCL Advances receives no direct support from
UCL’s core teaching and research funds. The partners and funders shown here are a selection of those we have worked with
since 2007 in funding or delivering activities.
57
UCL Advances is affiliated with Unique in the UK Higher UCL Consultants offers a
UCL Enterprise, which provides Education sector, its primary one-stop office for academics
UCL’s structures for engaging role is to promote a culture of wishing to carry out consultancy
with business for commercial entrepreneurship on campus work, providing comprehensive
and societal benefit. and engagement with contractual, tendering and
UCL Enterprise entrepreneurs and small administrative support, enabling
Enterprise is important to all businesses beyond UCL’s UCL staff to ensure timely,
universities, but resonates boundaries, and currently delivers high-quality delivery to meet clients’
particularly with UCL. From our over 30 activity programmes. requirements. It has extensive
inception we were created as an www.ucl.ac.uk/advances experience in working with a
enterprising institution, with a bold UCL Business wide variety of clients including
ambition to create a University UCL Business is a leading multi-national, governmental
dedicated to the greatest good for technology transfer company, organisations, space agencies,
the greatest number. This principle which supports and international companies and SMEs.
has underpinned the evolution commercialises research and www.uclconsultants.com
of modern-day UCL, a confident innovations arising from UCL,
and enthusiastic community one of the UK’s leading research-
of enterprising researchers, led universities. UCLB has a
educators, and scholars, working successful track record and
together for the immediate, strong reputation for identifying
medium and long-term benefit and protecting promising new
of society. technologies and innovations
UCL Enterprise provides UCL’s from UCL academics.
structures for engaging with It invests directly in development
business for commercial and projects to maximise the potential
societal benefit. It includes three of the research and manages
units: UCL Advances, UCL the commercialisation process of
Business and UCL Consultants. technologies from the laboratory
Together, they provide access to be market ready. UCLB
to the capabilities and resources supports UCL’s Grand Challenges
of the UCL community to help of increasing UCL’s positive
businesses start, grow impact on and contribution to
and develop. Global Health, Sustainable Cities,
UCL Advances Intercultural Interaction and Human
The centre for entrepreneurship Wellbeing. www.uclb.com
at UCL, UCL Advances, offers UCL Consultants
training, networking and business UCL Consultants Ltd was
support for staff, students established by UCL to bring its
and external entrepreneurs to academics together with national
encourage and enable new and international clients, providing
enterprises to get going. access to UCL’s leading-edge
expertise and world-class facilities.
UCL Advances 1st Floor
www.ucl.ac.uk/advances 90 Tottenham Court Road
advances@ucl.ac.uk London W1T 4TJ