Royce was delighted to take part in the Powerhouse of Innovation Showcase, bringing Royce’s expertise in supporting the translation of advanced materials research to the heart of Manchester’s innovation community.
Held at Whitworth Hall on 7 October the showcase formed part of The University of Manchester Innovation Festival and brought together innovation-focused teams and strategic partners from across the University.
The flagship event provided an opportunity for members of the Royce Business Engagement team to demonstrate how the Institute’s programmes and facilities can help researchers and innovators progress cutting-edge materials research towards real-world applications.
A particular focus was Royce’s newly developing Lab to Business Platform, including the Royce Catalyst Programme, alongside its new partnership with Innovate UK ICURe, highlighting the different Royce pathways available to researchers seeking to explore the commercial potential of materials.
The showcase also provided a valuable opportunity for the Royce team to meet spinouts and founders from across Manchester working in advanced materials and to connect with the Manchester innovation ecosystem. These conversations highlighted the importance of local support for innovation, including CEAMS in helping promising technologies progress beyond the laboratory.
Bea Howarth, Royce Research and Business Engagement Coordinator said:
“Royce was delighted to be part of the Powerhouse of Innovation Showcase. Manchester has an incredible innovation ecosystem and the event was a great opportunity to meet founders and researchers developing exciting, advanced materials. Our role is increasingly to help innovators navigate the journey from an idea in the lab towards commercial application, connecting them with our facilities, expertise and support they need to take that next step.”
The event formed part of a wider week of activity focused on Manchester’s innovation ambitions. The University has recently launched A Powerhouse of Innovation, a delivery plan supported by a new £10 million University Founders Fund and an ambition to make Manchester Europe’s most inclusive innovation ecosystem by 2035.
Royce colleagues also took part in the Cambridge x Manchester Partnership Innovation Summit and Investor Summit on 8 October extending the conversation beyond Manchester to questions around world-class innovation ecosystems and the future of UK growth capital.
Together these high-profile events demonstrated the value of connecting research excellence, technical capability and entrepreneurial support helping promising innovations make the journey from discovery towards commercial impact.
Photo credit: Jill Jennings
