Applications for our 2026 Training Program are now open!

Are you a researcher, engineer, or a new university spin-out with an innovation that has the potential to make real-world impact?

Designed and delivered by Centre for Business and Industry Transformation (CBIT), this programme provides researchers and technical innovators with a structured pathway to translate early-stage scientific and technical ideas into practical, deployable outcomes – whether those are geared towards commercialisation, public-sector application, or broader research impact.

• Through a blend of interactive workshops, peer learning, and expert mentoring, participants will learn how to:

• Refining value propositions for real users and markets

• Designing feasible business and application models

• Identify all relevant stakeholders and potential customers of your innovation

• Apply risk-adjusted opportunity assessment during TRL progression

• Building early growth, engagement, and partnership strategies

• Preparing documentation and structures for commercialisation readiness or securing further R&D grants

• Present their innovation in a “Friendly-Fire” pitch showcase.

Who is it for?
Do you have an innovation at technology readiness level 3 or above that you need support in the progression toward market? If so, this bespoke support package program is for you. A team of experts working with you and your team to advance your innovation to market. Teams will need to consist of either researchers, healthcare professionals and / or organisational representatives keen to better understand how to foster intrapreneurship. Participants will be required to commit two-to-three days per month to the programme. To be eligible for this program, at least one member of the team must be from a BBSRC funding eligible organisation (such as a higher education institution).

Phase 0 – Online Kick-Off & Innovation Mindset (Session 1)

Goal: Introduce the journey from research to innovation and set up collaborative tools.
Focus Areas:

• Understanding TRLs and research-to-impact pathways
• The researcher as Product Manager, CEO, and CSO
• Overview of programme structure and expectations

Phase 1 – Value Proposition & Business Design Bootcamp (Weeks 2–3, In-Person)

Goal: Build hands-on understanding of how research translates into a viable proposition.
Focus Areas:

• First exposure: “Who suffers if your tech disappears?”
• Human problem identification (market pull framing)
• Mapping how scientific outputs solve real-world or market problems
• Value proposition refinement
• Customer persona exploration (beneficiaries/stakeholders)

Phase 2 – Innovation Translation (Weeks 4–5, Online + Mentoring)

Goal: Simplify complex research into clear, application-ready innovation concepts.
Focus Areas:

• Translating science into tangible outcomes/ innovation pathways
• Framing innovation direction and collaboration roles
• Setting practical next steps toward higher TRLs

Phase 3 – Growth-Hacking & Market Alignment (Weeks 6–7, Hybrid)

Goal: Develop engagement strategies for both commercial and academic stakeholders.
Focus Areas:

• Iterating Customer Personas based on feedback
• Applying AAARRR
• Stakeholder mapping and growth strategy integration

Intro to A/B testing strategies for lead generation & partnerships

Phase 4 – Commercialisation Readiness (Weeks 8–9, Online)

Goal: Prepare participants for funding and collaboration readiness through data organisation.
Focus Areas:

• Introduction to translational funding
• Data Room creation: notes, pitch decks, documentation, and patents
• Using Google NotebookLM to auto-organise and contextualise project documentation and generate draft summaries for funding applications

Phase 5 – “Friendly-Fire” Showcase (Week 10, In-Person)

Goal: Deliver an engaging, supportive pitch-style event to test ideas and build connections.
Format: In-person pitch event with peer and mentor feedback.
Focus Areas:

• Storytelling and presentation for impact
• Demonstrating innovation potential and market relevance

Encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration and constructive critique

Ongoing Support & Impact Monitoring

• Continuous mentoring throughout and after the programme
• Selected teams can progress to the CBIT Venture Builder programme (subject to eligibility)

Biographies of the CBIT Team:

Georgi Iliev

Head of CBIT Venture Builder

Georgi Iliev leads the Venture Builder at the CBIT, supporting startups and SMEs to develop, test, and scale commercially viable innovations. His work focuses on helping businesses refine their value propositions, optimise operations, and integrate AI tools to improve productivity and strategic decision-making. Over the past few years, Georgi has supported more than 40 companies with a combined valuation of over £100 million, contributing to over £15 million in public–private funding and measurable improvements in efficiency and growth. Named as the Technology Innovation Champion in the 2024 Innovation Awards and recently awarded a Business Fellowship at PerplexityAI, Georgi also serves as a strategic advisor to multiple international businesses and innovation initiatives.

Prof Xiao Ma

Director of CBIT

Professor Xiao Ma, Director of the Centre for Business and Industry Transformation (CBIT) at Nottingham Business School, is a leading authority on integrating AI, data science, and digital technologies into sustainable, industry-scale solutions. He has led over £8 million in high-impact projects, including UKRI’s BeefTwin digital twin for sustainable beef farming, Innovate UK’s AI-driven supply network reconfiguration, and AI-powered SME collaboration platforms. A former serial entrepreneur, investor, and consultant to Fortune 500 companies

Connor Morrison

Head of Growth @ CBIT

Connor Morrison is the Growth Hacking and Business Development Lead at CBIT, with extensive experience in entrepreneurship, sales, business development, marketing, and research commercialisation. Connor currently leads all commercialisation initiatives within CBIT, as well as advising for the University of Manchester Venture Builder, and acting as a start-up application reviewer for the RAE Advance 2025 programme. Previously, as Head of Marketing at a SaaS start-up that raised $1M in private and public investment, Connor spearheaded innovative campaigns that drove user acquisition and market expansion.

Yilin Xie

Community Manager @ CBIT