FOR ACADEMICS

Transform your
research into
real-world impact

Are you an academic at the Universities of Leeds, Manchester, or Sheffield driving your research towards commercial success? The Northern Triangle Mentor Programme is designed to address the specific needs of academics and their teams who are in the early stages of commercialising their research.

We empower innovators, putting you at the centre of the commercialisation process, providing the support, training, and investment needed to make informed decisions about bringing your ideas to market. Our focus is on translating research into solutions for real-world challenges.

FOR ACADEMICS

Why have a mentor?

  • 70% of start-ups with a mentor survive for 5 years or more.
  • 97% of founders with mentors say they add value to their business.
  • 66% of founders owe their resilience to their mentor.
FOR ACADEMICS

Here's the impact you can expect:

  • Increased Confidence & Drive: Navigate challenges with a supportive guide, building resilience and staying focused on your vision.
    “My mentor has helped me build my confidence – they encouraged me to take a more active role with the commercialisation process as it became clear that I had something to bring to the table.”
  • Bridging Academia & Commerce: Develop a critical commercial lens to view your research, understanding market needs, value propositions, and the practical steps to translate academic innovation into commercial success.
    “It’s helped me develop and adapt my academic skills into more of a commercial setting.”
  • Sharpened Decision-Making: Use your mentor as a crucial sounding board to evaluate options, assess risks, and make informed choices rooted in their vast experience.
  • Access to Networks & Expertise: Forge invaluable connections with key decision-makers, potential investors, and industry experts, unlocking new collaborations and ventures.
    “Our mentor was able to plug us into other networks and connect with other female founders to help us on our journey.”

Here's the impact you can expect:

Programme Focus & Commitment Support Details
Innovation Sprint Fast-paced event supporting academics at the start of their commercialisation journey. 20 minute 1-1 sessions. Receive honest and supportive feedback. Opportunity for matchmaking for future mentorship.
Innovation Boost Focused deep-dive with expert mentor support. Commitment is up to 10 hours of dedicated 1-to-1 support across 12 weeks. Flexible meetings: online or face-to-face. Receive focused guidance, working alongside your university’s Commercialisation teams. You’ll be matched with an expert mentor perfectly suited to guide your unique journey.