Since 2010 I have had the absolute pleasure of working with science companies based in Worcestershire. Here are my top tips for getting your science start-up business off the ground.
TIP 1: Explore Meridian
Meridian Health Innovation provides businesses and academics with a fantastic health science network. The platform allows you to share your ideas with an audience of healthcare professionals, academics and science companies. This provides a great opportunity for seeking advice, collaboration and even funding if your idea is particularly exemplary.
TIP 2: Set up a LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn is a great social media platform for science start-ups because it allows you to highlight your education and expertise. It is also a good way of staying in touch with people that you have met at networking events, conferences and science fairs. LinkedIn also gives you an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and increase your business’ exposure by writing a blog.
TIP 3: Visit WINN in Worcestershire
Worcestershire Innovation Wednesday is a brilliant collaboration of innovators in Worcestershire. WINN is hosted every few months in Worcester and consists of exhibitors and speakers of a chosen industry. For example, in November 2017 the WINN event was focused on the medical sector and it was a really insightful evening. I found opportunities for a client to increase their science network and to apply for a grant.
TIP 4: Find out about Horizon 2020
Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme to boost discoveries and help science start-ups take their lab work to market. The application is a great way of sourcing investment and attracting private investment if the Horizon 2020 application is successful.
TIP 5: Seek feedback
One of the things that I learnt when setting up my business is the importance of feedback. Sometimes we have the best intentions of making ideas work, but we sometimes do miss the obvious! I understand that many things can be highly confidential in the science industry, however, it is invaluable to have a conversation with someone about your idea. Talking things through with someone often leads to bigger and better ideas, being signposted to important events and being put in touch with a useful connection. Of course, if you need some Graphic Design advice, then please do get in touch for a free no obligation one-hour design consultation.
I hope that these tips have been useful to you and I wish you the very best of luck with your business.