Accelerating business ideas at Uni of Adelaide

The Commercialisation Accelerator offers a first step towards commercialising research.
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Wednesday, 27 June 2012

The University of Adelaide is helping its students to turn their ideas into viable businesses with a new training scheme being piloted next semester.

The 'ThIncLab Online Commercialisation Accelerator' will be offered to University of Adelaide students from any discipline who have research to commercialise, or a business concept for a new product or service.

The initiative is being developed by the University's Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation and Innovation Centre (ECIC), known for their Entrepreneurship and Innovation programs and the highly successful business plan competition ZEN eChallenge.

"The Accelerator training gives students the direction they need to set up a business plan as a starting point towards commercialisation," says ECIC Acting Director Allan O'Connor. "The program will be offered free of charge to students during its pilot in Semester 2 this year and further options for ongoing support may include incubation at our ThIncLab Thebarton Campus and supplementary mentoring support services."

The Commercialisation Accelerator offers fast and flexible practical training involving self-paced online learning and workshops facilitated by business experts. Topics will include creating a business plan, marketing plan, production and operational/financial plan, presenting and pitching ideas to investors and practical business considerations.

ECIC is seeking interest from the business community, to provide additional services and support networks for the development of this new initiative. The Centre hopes to engage mentors to enhance the exchange of knowledge and best practice.

"There are a lot of ideas out there that never see the light of day in the business world," says Dr O'Connor. "At the moment there are few readily available services to help students who want to commercialise their research, outside of our full degree programs.

"We will help them develop the basic skills they need and provide the support to take their idea forward and develop it into a commercially viable business."

Applications are now open and students will be selected based on the submission and selection of a viable business initiative. Further information can be found at http://ecic.adelaide.edu.au/industry/thinc/comm/ or contact Megan Llewellyn for more details about supporting the initiative on megan.llewellyn@adelaide.edu.au

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