It's part two of our discussion about the role of accelerators. This time our panel explore the importance of investment and financial backing in accelerator programmes, the role of investment in scaling ventures. They also cover the need for capital to succeed, the connection between accelerators and venture capital firms, and the impact of financial support on the success of programmes.

A reminder of our expert panelists:

Cristina Lisii​​​​ - Senior Programme Manager, The Royal Academy of Engineering

Bartosz Wawrzynów - Portfolio Manager, FNP Ventures

Oliver Rätsep - Head of Business Development, Accelerate Estonia

Oxentia's Head of Entrepreneurship, Fabio Bianchi facilitates the discussion.

Timestamps

The Importance of Investment in Acceleration Programs (00:00:57)

The Concept of 'Sell Before You Make' (00:03:39)

The Role of Accelerators in MedTech and Highly Regulated Spaces (00:05:37)

Measuring the Impact of Acceleration Programs (00:10:40)

The Role of Corporate Accelerators (00:13:54)

Closing Remarks (00:19:05)

Contact us with any questions at [email protected]

#acceleratorprogrammes #accelerators #roleofaccelerators #acceleratorprograms

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What is the role of accelerators? How does this differ across innovation ecosystems and countries? Are there common formats to accelerator programmes, and how can programmes be tailored to deliver the optimum results for their participants?

Welcome to our two-part exploration of accelerators with three special guests including:

Cristina Lisii​​​​ - Senior Programme Manager, The Royal Academy of Engineering

Bartosz Wawrzynów - Portfolio Manager, FNP Ventures

Oliver Rätsep - Head of Business Development, Accelerate Estonia

Oxentia's Head of Entrepreneurship, Fabio Bianchi facilitates the discussion and we hope you'll enjoy listening to the different perspectives.

Timestamps

The role of accelerators in de-risking growth (00:05:45)

Accelerators as a facilitator for overcoming regulatory barriers (00:08:11)

The vital role of accelerators in catalyzing growth (00:10:06)

The timestamp's title (00:10:57)

The Cost of Accelerators (00:12:00)

Specialisation of Accelerators (00:14:24)

The cohort benefits vs. personal/tailor-made approach (00:22:09)

The importance of mentors and coachability (00:23:22)

The need for careful selection and understanding of venture capital (00:25:43)

Contact us with any questions at [email protected]

Episode transcript

#acceleratorprogrammes #accelerators #roleofaccelerators #acceleratorprograms

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Where do you start when developing a new lateral flow test for early detection of prostate cancer, especially when you don't have full access to a lab?

In this episode of Bringing new ideas to life, Sarah Allison interviews Tiffany Ma, CEO and co-founder of GambitBio. Tiffany explains how Gambit Bio is developing a self-test kit for early cancer detection using saliva. Inspired by the accessibility of self-testing during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tiffany and her co-founders aim to make cancer detection easier and more accessible.

Listen to how Gambit took shape, the startup challenges encountered and the exciting plans for the future.

Timestamps

The idea behind Gambit Bio [00:01:17] Explanation the inspiration behind GambitBio, a startup developing a self-test kit for early cancer detection.

The innovation: a home self-test kit for cancer detection [00:02:22] The innovation behind GambitBio, a home self-test kit for early cancer detection using saliva as a sample.

Challenges and funding [00:08:32] The challenges of starting a startup without lab support and explains how they gathered funds through angel funding, competitions, and accelerator programmes.

Advice for starting a startup [00:14:01] Tiffany shares her advice for starting a startup, including the importance of taking action and seeking advice from people who have been in your shoes.

Future plans for Gambit Bio [00:15:32] Tiffany discusses her plans to raise money for Gambit Bio's seed round and bring a self-test kit for prostate cancer to the market, with the goal of expanding to other cancer types in the future.

Sarah Allison, is a Senior Consultant, Tiffany Ma, CEO GambitBio

Contact us with any questions at [email protected]

Episode transcript

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How can we make #accelerators as effective as possible for startups and entrepreneurs?

There are over 1,300 accelerators across the globe today, in fact the growth in the number of accelerators, is accelerating - but has the accelerator model lost focus on the fundamental elements of support that #entrepreneurs need? Is there too much support put into raising venture capital rather than helping with product-market fit and market validation?

Oxentia's Head of Entrepreneurship Fabio Bianchi and former Oxentia colleague Tim Hart, now Director at Warwick Innovations, explore the statistics around the performance of accelerators overall; the support they provide for startups, and the future role they could play in broader economic development.

Timestamps

The role of accelerators in supporting entrepreneurs [00:01:10] 

Discussion on the benefits and limitations of accelerators, their effectiveness in raising venture funding, and the need for more refined interventions.

The importance of local ecosystems in accelerators [00:04:01] 

Exploration of the value of local accelerators in supporting entrepreneurs, the ease of interaction and support, and the limitations of international programmes

The impact of accelerators on investment and valuation [00:08:31] 

Analysis of the increased funding and higher valuations for startups that go through accelerator programs, questioning the true impact and potential inflation of valuations.

Accelerators as Investment De-risking Programs [00:14:04] 

Accelerators can serve as de-risking programs for investors, potentially leading to more solid investment opportunities.

Attracting Promising Opportunities vs Investment Strategy [00:15:11] 

Investors may be attracted to promising opportunities that don't align with their investment strategy.

Accelerators' Role in Ecosystem Building [00:15:28] 

Accelerators can help investors develop competitive portfolios and science parks build critical mass around a strategic theme or regional strength.

Fabio Bianchi, Head of Entrepreneurship, Oxentia and Tim Hart, Director, Warwick Innovations.

Contact us with any questions at [email protected]

Episode transcript

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What does it take to spin-out an innovation from the university lab into a successful business?

In this episode, Sarah Allison, Senior Consultant at Oxentia, interviews Robert Brüll, the CEO and Co-founder of FibreCoat. Robert shares his experiences from the university spin-out process, from filing patents to pivoting during the shocks of the COVID pandemic. He emphasises the importance of having broad protection initially and building a positive relationship with the university. They also talk about the significance of starting the discussion early and allowing ample time for negotiation.

Timestamps

The negotiation with the university [00:08:13] 

Robert discusses the challenges and process of negotiating with the university for intellectual property rights.

The challenges faced during growth [00:04:37] 

Robert talks about the challenges faced during the growth phase of the company, including scaling, supply chain issues, and the energy crisis.

Setting up the company and pivoting [00:01:18] 

Robert shares the story of how Fiber Coat was created, including its spinoff from the university, initial development, and the pivot to metal fibers.

The importance of broad protection in IP [00:12:47] 

Robert discusses the need for a patent that accounts for potential applications and pivots to provide broad protection.

Advice for founders engaging in spin out formation [00:14:15] 

Robert emphasises the importance of starting early and working on the relationship with the university.

The benefits of a win-win approach [00:15:41] 

Robert highlights the benefits of finding common ground and working together with the university for a successful outcome.

Robert Brüll, CEO of FibreCoat, and Sarah Allison, Senior Consultant at Oxentia.

Contact us with any questions at [email protected]

Episode transcript

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Are you aware of the common pitfalls startups and scale-ups face during their growth? Not recording employment contracts properly or accepting aggressive debt terms can lead to losing control of your business.

In this episode of "Bringing New Ideas to Life," Steve Cleverley, CEO of Oxentia is joined by Alex McPherson, Founder of Ignition Law, discuss the importance of seeking legal advice early on, the tailored nature of legal support, and common pitfalls to avoid during scaling up.

Timestamps

Timing and Types of Legal Support [00:00:44-00:02:41] 

Steve and Alex discuss the importance of seeking legal advice early and tailoring legal support for each scale-up.

Ignition Law's Journey to Becoming a B Corp [00:06:49-00:09:19] 

Alex talks about Ignition Law's journey to becoming a B Corp and the values-based logic behind it.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid During Scaling Up a Business, particularly in funding rounds [00:10:32-00:11:58] 

Alex discusses common pitfalls such as not having contracts in place properly and not recording who owns intellectual property.

Importance of Legal Advice [00:13:41] 

Alex and Steve discuss the importance of seeking legal advice early on in a business venture to prepare for potential issues.

Conclusion and Call to Action [00:15:08] 

The podcast episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to reach out with any questions and a thank you for listening.

Alex McPherson Founder of Ignition Law, the entrepreneurial law firm, and Steve Cleverley CEO, Oxentia at Oxentia.

Contact us with any questions at [email protected]

Episode transcript

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How important is culture and values in driving a business's growth? Can a values-led culture self-police and address unethical behaviour?

In this episode of "Bringing new ideas to life", Steve Cleverley, CEO of Oxentia is joined by Alex McPherson, Founder of Ignition Law, the entrepreneurial law practice. Listen to part one of their discussion into the challenges facing leadership teams in scaling companies, and the importance of culture and values in driving a business's growth.

Timestamps

The establishment and growth of Ignition Law [00:01:14] 

Steve Cleverley interviews Alex McPherson, founder of Ignition Law, discussing the establishment and growth of Ignition Law, including its purpose and approach, and its journey towards B Corp certification.

Challenges facing leadership teams in scaling companies [00:08:03] 

Alex and Steve explore the challenges facing leadership teams in scaling companies, including the common phases of growth for a young business and the tailored advice required at each stage.

The importance of culture and values in driving business growth [00:10:37] 

Alex and Steve discuss the importance of culture and values in driving business growth, including the shift towards a more values-led business and the role of culture in creating a shared sense of purpose and vision.

Culture and Values [00:11:47] 

The importance of culture and values in driving a business's growth, and how a values-led culture can self-police itself.

Key Decision Points for Legal Advice [00:12:59] 

The key milestones for legal advice in growing businesses, including the bootstrapping phase, funding rounds, and challenges with investors and cash flow.

Part Two Preview [00:15:29] 

A preview of part two of the discussion, which will cover the timing and types of legal support that startups and scale-ups typically require, Ignition Law's B Corp certification journey, and common pitfalls to avoid during scaling up of a business.

Alex McPherson Founder of Ignition Law, the entrepreneurial law firm, and Steve Cleverley CEO, Oxentia at Oxentia.

Contact us with any questions at [email protected]

Episode transcript

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It's the third, and final part, of our IP Strategy series. Dom and Bruno wrap up their discussion by stressing the importance of capturing the value of know-how and other IP assets, such as branding and customer lists when preparing for an exit strategy. They provide examples of how different types of IP can be valuable in different sectors, emphasising the need for trade secrets and confidentiality.

Timestamps

The Importance of Know-How [00:00:28] 

Dom explains the importance of know-how in an IP strategy and how it is the foundation of a company's value.

Confidential Know-How, Trade Secrets, and Patents [00:01:25] 

Dom discusses the three scenarios of how to treat confidential know-how, trade secrets, and patents, and how a piece of technology could be all three in its lifetime.

Other IP Assets [00:07:06] 

Bruno and Dom discuss the value of other IP assets such as branding, customer lists, methodologies, and how different types of IP can be valuable in different sectors.

Dom Icely is Co-founder of Impact IP, the Innovation Intellectual property law practice, and Bruno Reynolds is a Managing Consultant at Oxentia.

Contact us with any questions at [email protected]

Episode transcript

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Welcome to part two of our IP Strategy series on 'Bringing new ideas to life'. This time, Dom and Bruno discuss how to navigate competitors' IP, monitor their patents, and challenge them when necessary. They emphasize the importance of competitor awareness and tracking, and recommend using free patent analytics tools to set up searches on specific technology areas. They also suggests doing a light touch freedom to operate search at the early stages of innovation to identify any obvious barriers.

Timestamps

Competitor Awareness and Tracking [00:00:28]

Importance of monitoring competitors' patents and navigating their IP, with a light touch approach and the use of patent analytics tools.

Challenging Competitors' Patents [00:04:30]

Options for challenging a competitor's patent, including third-party observations and post-grant opposition period.

Preview of Part Three [00:07:56]

A preview of the next and final part of the series, which will cover where the real value lies in IP strategy, how to protect it, and what happens to IP when exiting a business.

Dom Icely is Co-founder of Impact IP, the Innovation Intellectual property law practice, and Bruno Reynolds is a Managing Consultant at Oxentia.

Episode transcript

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Welcome to the first episode of 'Bringing new ideas to life', the podcast from the innovation consultancy, Oxentia. In the months ahead, we will bring you discussions and interviews covering knowledge exchange and commercialisation, innovation management and cultures, accelerator programmes, social impact in the arts humanities and social sciences, capacity building and entrepreneurial support, plus a lot more. 

In our first series we join Dom Icely, Co-founder of Impact IP, the Innovation Intellectual property law practice and Bruno Reynolds Managing Consultant at Oxentia to discuss the importance of having an IP strategy for companies. In this first episode:

• they emphasise the need for companies to think about the end game and commercial strategy when developing IP;
• discuss the internal process that companies have to identify valuable IP and the importance of staff training to understand different forms of IP;
• clarify the difference between confidential information and know-how owned by the employer and the individual.
• stress the importance of companies protecting their IP and understanding the value of their IP assets.

We hope you enjoy the discussion, if you do, feel free to share with your network, subscribe to the channel, or ask a question by emailing [email protected].

Timestamps:

Importance of having an IP strategy [00:00:32]

The need for companies to have an IP strategy and think about the end game and commercial strategy when developing IP.

Internal process for identifying valuable IP [00:01:23]

The internal process that companies have to identify valuable IP and the importance of staff training to understand different forms of IP.

Difference between confidential information and know-how [00:04:02]

An explanation of the difference between confidential information.

Episode transcript

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