The Royal Academy of Engineering has selected 15 entrepreneurs from seven different countries to join its Leaders in Innovation Fellowships Advance (LIF Advance) programme to help equip them to grow their businesses and achieve their full commercial potential.
From novel delivery and disposal of biodegradable menstrual products to the use of a high-altitude platform and space technology to improve internet connectivity in remote areas, the 15 individuals have developed a wide range of innovations that are helping to improve social inclusion across education, employment, agriculture, and healthcare.
Since launching in 2015, the LIF programme has supported more than 1,000 entrepreneurs from low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) who have an engineering-based innovation with the potential to boost social welfare and economic development in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The programme offers mentoring and networking opportunities and tailored guidance on commercialisation to help participants scale-up their products and services for the benefit of their communities and beyond.
LIF Advance takes things a step further for an exclusive cohort of the best LIF alumni, giving them an enhanced programme of training in relationship building and business growth, both internationally and in the UK. Through the programme they can achieve their full commercial potential and leave equipped to grow their business at home and internationally with closer links to and understanding of doing business in the UK. Entrepreneurs on the programme also mentor others within the LIF community.
This month the selected entrepreneurs begin a nine-month programme to hone their entrepreneurial skills, better understand the UK market for digital technology, make connections and prepare for growth. The programme, delivered by the university-led enterprise partnership SETsquared on behalf of the Academy, also includes a one-week residential course in the UK and ongoing mentoring.
Lisa Rose, Senior Manager Entrepreneurship for Development at the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “LIF is an incredible programme supporting talented innovators to commercialise a product for the benefit of their communities. Selection for LIF is tough; selection for LIF Advance is tougher. It’s great to see such a diverse and dynamic mix of innovators creating solutions for the future. I’m delighted to welcome these talented engineers to the Academy’s LIF Advance programme where they will gain the support they need to scale up. They’ve all shown that they’re passionate about overcoming social inclusion challenges within their countries and we are proud to be able to support them on their journey to commercialising their innovative start-ups.”
The first LIF Advance programme in 2020/21 brought together 13 entrepreneurs from four continents. Their shared goal was to launch innovations to reduce inequalities in healthcare and for disability inclusion. The technologies they had designed and were commercialising products and services ranged from affordable surgical robots and using nanoparticles to diagnose Hepatitis C to portable diagnostic bio sensors and urine collecting devices for people with disabilities.
The successful roll out of these products could help to improve the lives of more than 600 million individuals who live in some of the poorest and most vulnerable communities around the world. It has been estimated that these 13 entrepreneurs have the potential to generate £180m turnover and employ over 160 people over the next decade.
Karen Brooks, Programme Director at the Academy’s delivery partner SETsquared, said: “The participants from the first LIF Advance cohort are working on technologies that will change the way people access healthcare around the globe. We worked closely with them all to provide a bespoke schedule of support in line with their stage of commercialisation and technology development, and each and every one of them gave 100% commitment. To see them make progress and connections, and ultimately take the next step in their business development journey is why we do what we do. We now look forward to meeting the 2022 cohort and ensuring they achieve similar success.”
The 2021/22 LIF Advance participants and their innovations:
LIF Advance is part of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s suite of international programmes, which provide tailored funding, training and support to LMIC’s researchers and entrepreneurs, these programmes welcome support from new funders and partners.