The Forging Ahead project - funded by Research England's Connected Capabilities Fund - aims to enable more commercialisation opportunities, joint ventures and spinout businesses to grow here in the Midlands, which in turn create jobs, attract investment and drive economic growth across the region.

We are Unlocking Potential:

The potential of our region's spinout companies looking to scale and stay in the region they call home. The potential of the commercialisation teams supporting them through our Peer-to-Peer Learning programme.

We are Empowering Research Commercialisation:

Through the expansion and development of 4 accelerators and training programmes, giving more academics from across the Midlands the support and opportunity to commercialise their research.

We are Connecting the Ecosystem:

Through our Forging Links network - connecting spinout founders with each other as well as those working across the wider ecosystem who can support them to scale. Through the Midlands Ecosystem Platform on Dealroom - to build links with investors.

About Forging Ahead

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Unlocking potential

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Commercial Champions

Join our talentpool of commercial and domain experts who can lead, mentor and strengthen the capabilities of Midlands spinouts - helping them to scale in the region.

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Peer-to-Peer Learning

Our Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Learning programme supports the strengthening of commercialisation capability across the Midlands.

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Empowering research commercialisation

Forging Ahead is expanding and developing four key programmes across the Midlands.

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VentureVersity

Exploring the commercial potential of your research
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Medici Enterprise Training

Exploring the commercial potential of your research
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SPARK the Midlands

A pre-clinical accelerator providing access to specialised knowledge and regulatory support
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IP 2 SME

A pilot programme placing researchers into SMEs to create a potential licensing opportunity

Connecting the ecosystem

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Forging Links

A new network to connect spinout founders with industry across the Midlands and beyond

Join our network
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Showcasing Midlands spinouts

We are providing opportunities and hosting events to showcase university spinouts from the Midlands to investors.

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The Midlands Ecosystem Platform

The Midlands Ecosystem Platform, powered by Dealroom, brings the region’s dynamic ecosystem to life – offering open access data on startups, scale-ups, corporates, investors across the Midlands region.

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The Team Powering the Project

Our team is coming together, with new roles based at 亚洲情色. Together, we鈥檙e building a dynamic ecosystem that collaborates with partners across the Midlands to help shape the future of research commercialisation, innovation and investment.

Get in touch

Want to work with us? Want to learn more about the project? Get in touch with the team today.