Empowering students and graduates, we ignite enterprise opportunities and experiences. Our mission is to elevate student and graduate journeys, arming them with dynamic entrepreneurial skills that transcend study and research boundaries. Regardless of discipline, we champion the exploration of commercialisation potential. This transformative approach ensures learners not only gain valuable commercial focus but also emerge better equipped for success in their chosen fields.

Unleash your potential through our programmes designed for students keen on commercialising their research. It is always advised to speak to your supervisor before completing any programme around commercialisation and be aware of any potential Intellectual Property (IP).

QUest

Dive into a realm of possibilities with QUest, a groundbreaking customer discovery programme designed for students and recent graduates eager to rapidly test the market viability of their products or services. Tailored exclusively for 12-15 lucky students or graduates, this bespoke initiative provides unparalleled training, mentorship, and coaching from a team of seasoned experts. QUest is not just a programme; it's your key to unlocking doors to investments, networking opportunities, and IP expertise. Proven to be a catalyst for startup success, this transformative programme runs from June to November. To find out more about this programme and how to apply click HERE

Innovation-to-Commercialisation of University Research (ICURe)

“Innovation-to-Commercialisation of University Research” (ICURe) is the UK's leading early stage research accelerator programme. It guides researchers through the process of refining and validating the commercial potential for some of the world's leading-edge science, technology and knowledge assets. The ICURe Engage and ICURe Discover programmes are open to Student Researcher applications. To find out more about the ICURe programmes and their suitability click HERE

Conception X

Embark on a transformative journey with Conception X, the leading PhD deeptech venture programme in the UK. Pioneering the way, we empower PhD students to propel research-backed startups focused on lasting impact. Running over nine months, this programmes seamlessly aligns with your PhD journey. Immerse yourself in comprehensive business and technology coaching, deeptech entrepreneurial training, engaging events, and culminate your experience with a demo day for finalists. To apply for this programme or to get more information click HERE 

START FOR FUTURE (SFF)

Start for Future (SFF) is an international network of entrepreneurial universities and incubators working together to transform universities to develop sustainable, innovative programmes that enable future leaders and change-makers. 

The SFF network offers programmes for students, graduates and researchers that are flexible to allow to progress from one to the next or to directly join whichever programme is most suited. There is a specific Learn for Researchers programme aimed at researchers interested in learning more about commercialisation.

If you would like more information on the support available across Queens for supporting student innovation and enterprise, please visit the InQUBate.

Any questions, contact: InQUBate@qub.ac.uk

All our academic staff and students have access to the training and development programmes run by Queen’s University Belfast, in collaboration with external partners. The programmes are fully funded by QUBIS and third parties. We work closely with talented academics, ambitious entrepreneurs, astute investors and a host of industry experts to form successful spin–off companies that combine cutting–edge research and development with market–focused products and services.

Innovation-to-Commercialisation of University Research (ICURe)

Innovation-to-Commercialisation of University Research” (ICURe) is a 3-month full-time online customer discovery programme designed using lean start-up methodology and funded by Innovate UK. ICURe trains, funds, and supports teams led by university early-career researchers (ECRs) to determine whether there is a market for products or services that utilise their research, science, or technology. Up to £35,000 of funding is available to ‘get out of the lab’ and validate these commercially promising ideas in the marketplace. To find out more about this programme click HERE

The Innovation Programmes Team at Queens operate a growing number of corporate sponsored programmes and also programmes aimed at SMEs. Stimulating startups and Innovation Driven Enterprises (IDEs) will continue to be important, however, providing a support framework from both the private and public sector to help them survive and grow is now also crucial.

Agri-Food: EIT Food Seedbed Incubator

The pan-European EIT Food Seedbed programme is led by Queen’s and delivered in collaboration with leading EIT Food Partner Universities, corporates across Europe and Research and Innovation Organisations (Seedbed Hubs) from across Europe. Through knowledge transfer, Queen’s has provided their expertise in technology and product commercialisation to help these Hubs support entrepreneurs right across Europe to launch or progress a commercially viable business. For more information on this programme click HERE

Scaling The Edge (SMEs)

Corporate-sponsored Market Discovery Programmes

Working in collaboration with Technology Transfer Offices and investors across our diverse network, we are committed to driving not only economic, but also societal and environmental change through digital transformation. We aim to increase capabilities of TTOs; and help start-ups and spin-offs access funding by creating digital tools that will drive economic growth across our ecosystem

EIT HEI Initiative- Innovation Capacity Building for High Education (EntreUnity)

EntreUnity is a network of aspiring entrepreneurial European universities that concentrates on educating and training the next generation of agri-food, health and green-tech students in entrepreneurship and leadership. During this project a blue-print for a virtual TTO was developed. It focuses on early engagement with researchers and is complemented by automated workflows to alleviate administrative burden and increase capacities of TTO officers. For more information, click HERE