The CDT edition of Startup Fast-Track

A fast-paced innovation challenge exclusively for Centre of Doctoral Training (CDT) students based in the College of Science & Engineering.

Startup Fast-Track - banner

Curious whether your research, technical skills or problem-solving mindset could translate into a startup? Startup Fast-Track is designed to help you explore whether those skills can create impact outside of academic in just a few days. 

Over two days, you’ll work with other ambitious PhD students to tackle-world challenges in Data & AI, Health and Climate. You’ll be guided through how to identify the transferable skills developed during your PhD, assess real market needs, shape early-stage ideas into viable venture concepts and be guided by mentors and industry experts. You’ll then have one month to refine, validate and test your ideas before pitching it to a panel of judges for a change to win a share of £500. 

You don’t need a business idea to apply, just curiosity about where your research skills could take you beyond academia.

This event is partnership with CDT-D2AIR and CDT-RAS2 but is open to any students who are part of a Centre for Doctorial Training with the College of Science and Engineering. 

Deadline Friday 20th March at 10am 

 

The application includes a few short questions to help us understand your background and motivation. Please answer thoughtfully and in full. 

Location: Bayes Centre, 47 Potterrow 

Dates: 

  • The first part of this event runs Thursday 26th  – Friday 27th March
  • Followed by the pitch-off on Friday 24th April 

Why take part? 

  • Gain a fast, practical introduction to entrepreneurship
  • Test whether building a company could be a future career path for you
  • Expand your network beyond your discipline and institution
  • Build confidence in applying your research skills to real-world challenges
  • Chance to win a share of £500 

What you’ll do:

  • Turn your research skills into real world impact: learn how to analyse your research, technical expertise and problem-solving skills through an innovation lens.
  • Form a multidisciplinary team with fellow PhD researchers and select one of the themed challenges (Data & AI, Health or Climate).
  • Explore a real-world problem, identify unmet needs and design an innovative and research-driven solution.
  • Take part in interactive workshops covering problem validation, ide testing and communicating complex ideas clearly and convincingly.
  • Get feedback from experienced founders and mentors from the startup ecosystem.
  • Pitch your idea to a panel of judges for the chance to win a share of £500 

Thursday 26th March 

  • 1pm-1.30pm - registration
  • 1.30pm-2pm – workshop - welcome and programme overview
  • 2.00pm-2.30pm – activity - team formation
  • 2.30pm-3pm – workshop - problem space/finding a place to start
  • 3pm-4.30pm – group work – problem deep dive
  • 4.30pm – 5pm – workshop – testing your ideas
  • 5pm-6pm – group work – develop a concept
  • 6pm-7pm – pizza dinner 

 

Friday 27th March 

  • 9am-9.30am – registration
  • 9.30am-9.50am – workshop – welcome and objectives
  • 9.50am-12noon – group work – problem, solution and customer focus
  • 12noon-12.30pm – lunch
  • 12.30pm-2.30pm – activity – mentor meetings
  • 2.30pm-3.30pm – group work – pitching and next steps
  • 3.30pm-4.15pm – workshop – pitching and next steps
  • 4.15pm-5pm – group work – assign roles, responsibilities and set-up team meetings
  • 5pm-6pm – drinks reception and one month of innovating 

 

Friday 24th April 

  • 1pm-1.30pm – registration
  • 1.30pm-2pm – welcome
  • 2pm-2.40pm – climate pitches
  • 2.40pm-2.50pm – break
  • 2.50pm-3.30pm – AI & Data pitches
  • 2.30pm-3.40pm – break
  • 3.40pm-4.20pm – health pitches
  • 4.20pm-4.40pm – facilitated networking
  • 4.40pm-4.55pm – winners’ announcement
  • 4.55pm-6pm – open networking 

What to bring 

We’ll provide create materials (flip charts, markets, etc). Please bring:

  • Laptop
  • Phone
  • Chargers
  • Water bottle 

You’re also welcome to bring anything that helps you think, build or collaborate effectively. Food will be provided, but feel free to bring snacks. 

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