PB/01 support for science and technology innovation Design support for science and technology innovation Introduction 02 /03

Introduction

Design is a powerful tool for research commercialisation, particularly during the critical early stages. It provides structure and focus to the innovation journey by generating new insights for market applications, communicating these clearly to investors and helping teams plan routes to market.

Since 2010, Design Council has been backed by government to teach university research teams how and tools can help accelerate commercialisation and coach ventures in developing their propositions and routes to market. Our aim is to complement and strengthen the UK’s scientific research pipeline and accelerate its development with support tailored to meet the needs of those working in the commercialisation of innovative ideas. Through coaching and training programmes delivered by expert advisors, we guide individuals and teams to exploit ideas, accelerate routes to market and develop the business skills and acumen proven to lead to success. With our support, researchers and entrepreneurs are commercialising their scientific and technological ideas and turning them into innovative and profitable innovations and services with the potential to reach a global marketplace. Design support for science and technology innovation Impact

Impact

Since 2010, we have helped commercialisation teams from more than 30 universities - including Oxford, Cambridge, Ulster, Newcastle, Nottingham, Imperial College London and Bristol – to capitalise on their research base and take projects to market.

Or, to put it another way: we have worked with around 30% of the UK’s technology transfer offices (TTOs) and 5-10% of its technology transfer practitioners, helping to turn numerous ventures into fully-fledged businesses.

“Development of conceptual images and materials that set out the technological concepts as visualise-able products helped open the door to discussion and portray what the technology could do in a readily understandable form.” – Dr Neil Hayes, Commercial Manager, University of Exeter (Project: Arkiris) 04 /05

When we applied for a bigger grant we “took the model along and it contributed to us winning the grant … it was a far more valuable project than I thought it would be.” – Dr John Day, Lead Researcher, University of Bristol (Project: The Intelligent Needle) Design support for science and technology innovation Proven, expert support

Proven, expert support

All Design Council support is tailored to meet the specific needs of the organisations we work with. Each programme is delivered by highly experienced, independent specialists, our Design Associates.

The Design Associate’s role is to provide hands-on, independent programmes using our proven system of support. Their aim is to work with you to rapidly diagnose and explore key challenges and highlight opportunities where design can add measurable commercial value.

Coaching for ventures Our coaching programme for ventures is STEP 3 designed to meet the needs of entrepreneurs engaged in the commercialisation of innovative IP with industrial technologies, science or at the core of their business model.

Intensive coaching programme for project teams STEP 2 This three-day programme creates a catalyst for multiple projects to accelerate development of new ideas and upskill teams value to your processes and entrepreneurial ways of working.

Introductory training in design methods for commercialisation STEP 1 An interactive one-day course providing delegates with a practical and thorough understanding of how design methods can be utilised to accelerate the commercialisation of projects. 06 /07

Case Study: University of Nottingham

Following development of a prototype, Design Council worked with the University of Nottingham’s TTO to deliver a workshop involving , technical staff, clinicians and market researchers.

This identified 45 ways of commercialising the technology, greatly accelerating the process of identification of routes to market. A total of £375k of investment has since been raised from various sources, and £1.6m recently awarded from the Biomedical Catalyst Fund (Innovate UK).

“As a result of our work with Design Council, you can come and see our latest 30 inventions coming out of the University in early prototype form; you can tell us what you think of them and we’ll build that into our development process.”

– Dr George Rice, Technology Transfer Officer, University of Nottingham Design support for science and technology innovation CaseProgramme study information Programme information 08 /09

Programme information

Introductory training in design 1 methods for commercialisation An interactive one-day course providing delegates with a practical and thorough understanding of how design methods can be utilised to accelerate the commercialisation of projects.

Delegates are taught practical, methods that can quickly be applied to unlock further value. Delegates take away a toolkit including worksheets, case studies and guides for their own continued use. Developed and delivered by Design Council in partnership with the University of Nottingham, the course brings together insights from both the university and commercial sectors which can be applied to a wide range of challenges.

£5,000+VAT per workshop for up to 20 delegates Design support for science and technology innovation Programme information

Intensive coaching programme for 2 project teams This three-day programme creates a catalyst for multiple projects to accelerate development of new ideas and upskill teams, adding value to your processes and encouraging entrepreneurial ways of working.

Drawing on the visual, collaborative ways of working typically found within the design process, delegates will be supported to think outside the box and learn more about design’s critical ability to rapidly test ideas and manage risk as well as shape compelling propositions with market focus. By bringing together academics, researchers and managers across a group of projects in a dynamic two-day bootcamp facilitated by our expert coaches, teams will: –– Learn key design methodologies and apply diagnostic frameworks to their projects –– Diagnose, map and articulate project challenges for rapid peer review and market-focused insight from our experts –– Define opportunities for acceleration and rapid exploitation of ideas, identifying those with lower potential –– Prioritise development goals, create roadmaps and project briefs for project development activities and agree milestones for delivery.

Project teams can draw down a follow-on day of support from their coaches to support implementation of their milestones

£7,500+VAT per team 10 /11

Are you ‘project ready’? Do you have:

Active engagement of the lead 1 researchers/academics involved?

Teams open to collaborative, 2 design-led approaches?

Projects at an early enough stage/TRL 3 where divergent methods can be applied?

We are happy to meet with you and advise you on project readiness. Contact us for further details. Design support for science and technology innovation Programme information 3 Coaching for ventures Our coaching programme for ventures is designed to meet the needs of entrepreneurs engaged in the commercialisation of innovative IP with industrial technologies, science or engineering at the core of their business model.

This programme supports cohorts of ventures through a blend of workshops and one-to-one coaching. This shapes leadership strategies which ensures propositions tap into design’s effectiveness in refining ideas into usable, compelling products and services which generate market pull. Support offered will equip leaders of ventures with a business- critical project to implement, valuable new skills and fresh insights that can drive innovation and enable them to achieve lasting success.

Costs range from £1,250 – £2,500+VAT depending on the requirements and scale of the business. Please contact us for further information and to apply. 12 /13

“What we learned from Design Council continues to benefit the business, even all these years on. Making our technology intelligible to a wider audience and adopting a user-led approach has been invaluable.” – Billy Boyle, Co-founder, Owlstone Nanotech Design support for science and technology innovation About Design Council

About Design Council

Design Council is working to create a better world by design.

Our support provides an opportunity to learn appropriate key design methods and principles which have been proven to enhance the success of commercialisation through the application of the strategic use of design. We transform public services, stimulate business growth and enhance places and cities. We do so in three ways: –– We advocate through thought leadership and new thinking, promoting design’s role in keeping the UK at the forefront of innovation –– We enable through coaching, mentoring and educating –– We demonstrate delivering innovative design solutions through clear demonstration. 1414/15/15 How do I find out more and apply?

For further information and to set up a project selection meeting, please contact: [email protected] +44(0)20 7420 5200

About Design Council Design Council is an enterprising charity which improves people’s lives through the use of design. Our work places design at the heart of stimulating business growth, helps to transform our public services and enhances places and cities to ensure a sustainable future for everyone. We advance new , encourage debate and inform government policy.

Registered charity number 272099