Eli and Britt Harari Enterprise Award

This annual award aims to help students, postdoctoral researchers, and recent graduates at The University of Manchester establish new companies involving graphene or other 2D materials.

Prizes of £50,000 and £20,000 will be awarded to the individuals or teams who can best demonstrate how their technology relating to graphene or other 2D materials could be applied to a viable commercial opportunity.

This year continues with the inclusion of an additional £10,000 prize for the most sustainable idea, celebrating the University's world leading position on sustainable development.

Applications will be judged on the strength of their business plan to develop a new graphene-related business.

The award then becomes seed funding to allow the candidate to take the first steps towards realising this plan. It recognises the role that high-level, flexible early-stage financial support can play in the successful development of a business targeting the full commercialisation of a product or technology related to research in graphene.

Before submitting a formal application, we kindly request that you share your idea with us using the Expression of Interest form. This will enable us to connect you with experienced professionals from the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre, as well as our intellectual property rights lawyers. By participating in these support sessions and following their guidance, you will gain valuable insights to assist you in completing the technical, intellectual property, and commercialization aspects of the formal application form.

Key Dates*

• Monday 13 February - competition opens for expressions of interest
• Tuesday 9 May - information session for competition entrants
• Week of 29 May - meet with application experts from GEIC
• Week of 5 June - meet with commercialisation experts
• Friday 16 June - entry deadline, 12pm.
• Wednesday 21 June – Finalists notified
• Monday, 26 June - Finalists invited to pitch to Mock Panel
• Monday 3 July – Mock Panel pitch
• Tuesday 4 July- Finalists invited to pitch in the Final Judging Panel
• Friday 7 July - Final Judging Panel 1-4pm.
• Friday 14 July - Winners Awards Event 3.30-5pm.

Eligibility

Applications are welcomed from students, postdoctoral researchers and recent graduates of The University of Manchester.

For further information please contact entrepreneurship@manchester.ac.uk.

This competition is funded by the North American Foundation for The University of Manchester, through the generous support of one of the University’s former students, Dr. Eli Harari, and his wife Britt.