Researcher Pathway
Turning research into real-world impact can unlock powerful opportunities
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Through our Researcher Pathway, we’ll help you build the skills, confidence, and support to apply your expertise, create change, and shape solutions to complex challenges. You’ll learn how to translate your research into products, services, or ventures that make a real difference.
Step 1 – Explore
Spark Research-Driven Innovation
No experience needed, just curiosity. These are open to all students, whether you have an existing idea or are looking for one.
Take your first step...
Don't have an idea?
Ideas Unlocked is an in-person session to spark ideas and start exploring entrepreneurship.
Have an idea but not sure where to start?
Get Started is an online challenge-based programme to test, refine, and turn your idea into action.
Take your idea further...
Ready to present your idea?
Get Pitching is a supportive space to practise your pitch, build confidence, and get expert feedback.
Want to build your idea, fast?
Build With AI helps turn your idea into a prototype, brand and website - no coding required.
Step 2 – Build
From Insight to Impact
Ready to explore where your research-based venture idea could go next? Researcher Launchpad is a multi-week pre-accelerator to validate the real-world potential of your research, build commercial awareness and develop a practical route to impact.
This programme provided valuable insights into entrepreneurship and helped me connect with inspiring researchers across disciplines. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to take the next step in commercialising their research.
Ziwei / School of Natural Sciences PhD student
Step 3 – Grow
Scale Your Research Impact
Turn your tested idea into a scalable business. Venture Builder is our accelerator for committed founders to strengthen their business model, build and test an MVP, and develop a clear route to customers, commercialisation and investment.
Time to celebrate. Venture Further Awards celebrates student entrepreneurs across all four pathways, offering funding, visibility and access to a powerful network of investors, mentors and innovators.
