Venture Building 101

*Please note: this workshop is for Univeristy of Cambridge members only.

Do you have a developed business idea and are ready to take the next step? Are you looking to start a company or social enterprise? Perhaps you are already working with us on the development of your idea and are considering spinning out a company?

With over 20 years’ experience in company creation and venture building, we have the expertise to help you turn your for the benefit of society.

This half-day, interactive, workshop is open to University of Cambridge members who are considering or are in the process of commercialising their research and expertise. It will provide helpful tools to assist in the process of starting a company or social venture.

The session focuses on the three core pillars of what experience tells us it takes to create a viable spin out: Technology, People and Funding.

What the workshop covers:

• An introduction to the Cambridge Phenomenon and the ecosystem that cultivates it.
• Understanding the key considerations when commercialising research, with real life examples.
• Practical advice on financing and pitching your spin out.
• The opportunity to build a network of like-minded people, and the chance to hear from a successful founder about their journey.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this half day session, you’ll have:

• Learnt how to articulate your proposal to professional investors and interested parties, with a clear value proposition.
• Understood the different forms of funding available to you and how to maintain a capitalisation table.
• Created an action plan with next steps for your commercialisation journey.
• Built connections with other people in the ecosystem with complimentary skillsets and entrepreneurial outlooks.

Who is this workshop for?

This workshop is open to members of the University who have developed a commercially viable idea and are looking to start a company, are in the early stages of spinning out a company or are already working with us in the development of their idea or expertise and are considering venture creation as a pathway to impact.

Workshop details:

• Date: Wednesday 15 October 2024
• Time: 1.00 - 5.30 pm (including lunch)
• Location: Rayleigh Seminar Room, Maxwell Centre

Networking Lunch

From 1.00 - 2.00 pm, there will be an optional networking lunch. For this, we will join up with attendees of our Commercialisation 101 session which takes place from 9.30 - 2.00 pm on the same day. Why not join us in the morning for Commercialisation 101 for a full day of workshops on how to commercialise the outcomes of your research.

Event Agenda

1:00 – 2:00 pm – Lunch (joined with Commercialisation 101)

2:00 – 3:00 pm – Welcome & Session 1

3:00 – 3:15 pm – Break

3:15 – 4:15 pm – Session 2

4:15 – 4:30 – Break

4:30 – 5:30 – Session 3

Ideas to Reality Programme

This event is part of Cambridge Enterprise's Ideas to Reality Programme which is designed to provide members of the University with the guidance and tools to translate their ideas, research and expertise into real-world impact.

For more events in this programme, visit our What's On page or for regular updates sign up to our events newsletter.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Rayleigh Seminar Room, Maxwell Centre, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, United Kingdom