Applications open for North West engineer talent programme
21 April 2022
The Royal Academy of Engineering is looking for mid-late career engineers and individuals from vocational backgrounds with innovative business ideas, with £20,000 in funding up for grabs.
The Royal Academy of Engineering is looking for mid-late career engineers and individuals from vocational backgrounds with innovative business ideas, with £20,000 in funding up for grabs.
Through the new Regional Talent Engines programme, successful applicants will receive equity free funding for living and business costs, along with six months’ support to prepare them for commercialising their engineering solutions – including expert mentoring, training and one-to-one coaching from the Royal Academy’s Enterprise Hub.
The programme is targeted at individuals in the North West who either hold a technical qualification from a Further Education college or are experienced mid-late career engineers looking to bring an innovative idea to market. After completion, participants will be invited to become Enterprise Hub Members with lifetime support.
Since 2013, the Enterprise Hub has supported nearly 300 researchers, graduates and SME leaders to start up and scale up businesses that give practical application to their inventions.
Commenting on the launch of the programme, Ana Avaliani, Director of Enterprise and Sustainable Development at the Royal Academy of Engineering, said:
“Our Regional Talent Engines programme supports ambitious mid-late career engineers and individuals with technical backgrounds who can often be underrepresented in the enterprise community. This programme hopes to cultivate their passion for creativity, problem-solving, and design to launch their own start-ups.
“With an emphasis on mentoring and skills development, participants can gain the confidence to begin new careers as entrepreneurs with equity-free financial backing from the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Enterprise Hub. We encourage anyone with an idea for an engineering or technological solution to apply.”
Applications are open until 23 May 2022, with the programme commencing in early September. Full details, including guidance notes, can be viewed on the Academy's website.