Pitchfest: MRE 2020

Materials Research Exchange Showcase Investment Programme is now open to applicants. Deadline 8th Jan 2020.

 

Applications are now open for Pitchfest which is to take place at Materials Research Exchange 2020.

 

Pitchfest is a pitching competition presenting a unique opportunity to raise the profile of the materials sector in front of a national audience of investors. Pitchfest is being run by the Materials Team at Knowledge Transfer Network and UKCPN.

 

It’s preceded by a dedicated Investor Readiness Programme which prepares companies for a rigorous selection step. The Investment Readiness Programme provides the skills for developing and presenting a strong business pitch to investors and possible business partners. This program targets companies looking to become investor ready, providing them with three days of training spread over a month. We will cover communication skills, and background information on the various types of funding, and insight into the investors’ perspective.

 

If selected, businesses are exposed to investment opportunities through a pitching competition where they are invited to present their ideas, pitch for investment and take part in a showcase event. At the end of the programme, companies will be able to better prepare an investor pitch and be more confident in delivery of their ‘story’. Companies that are successful on the selection day will pitch to a national audience of investors.

 

Companies who have been chosen to showcase will have the opportunity to exhibit at MRE. The application deadline is 8th January, with successful applicants being informed on 10th January. For more information please contact UKCPN Programme Lead, Sally Beken.

 

To apply please click here.

UKCPN Seminar at MRE 2020

UK Circular Plastics Network (UKCPN) will be running a seminar on Day 2 of MRE 2020 titled ‘Packaging of the Future: Implications of recycled/novel materials and food contact’.

 

Innovations in the food packaging sector are at the forefront of the government-funded £60m Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Challenge. UKCPN has recognised the need for innovators, entrepreneurs and materials experts who may be looking at new and novel materials, and those with recycled content, to understand the implications of their innovations with respect to standards, food contact safety and consumer considerations; may they be dietary, allergenicity of religious factors. You can attend this valuable session where three senior speakers will inform you of the current situation and considerations to be taken in this space.

 

Speakers:

Tim Chandler, Senior Scientific Officer, Food Standards Agency
Dr. Emma Bradley, Head of Programme – Food Quality & Safety, Fera Science Ltd.
Sara Walton, Sector Lead – Food, BSI

About MRE 2020

 

MRE 2020 is an exhibition, investor showcase and conference, which will demonstrate ground-breaking new materials developments and their manufacturing processes. Network with over 1500 delegates, meet key funding and decision makers and attend targeted seminars and keynote addresses.

 

Sir Mark Walport, Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), will formally open MRE 2020 and will provide the Welcome address. The other confirmed keynote speakers include Dr. Ian Campbell (Interim Executive Chair at Innovate UK), Dr. Alicia Greated (CEO, KTN), Prof. Philip Withers (Regius Professor For Materials, University of Manchester), and Simon Edmonds (Deputy Executive Chair/Chief Business Officer, Innovate UK).

 

What’s on offer for delegates and exhibitors?

• Hear engaging talks from researchers, innovators, investors and industry, presenting case studies on successful commercialisation of materials working in collaboration with academic researchers.
• Participate in masterclass sessions on IP, R&D Tax Credit
• Pitchfest: receive training on how to be pitch-ready to successfully present your case to investors.
• Hear and debate the scope of current developments in advanced materials across key supply chains and through different sectors, including the impact of emerging digital technologies such as Block Chains.
• Hear from policy makers with discussions and updates on relevant¬†Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund¬†(ISCF) support for businesses and academia.
• Seminars on metamaterials and 2D materials.

Tickets are now on sale and available here.

 

Please visit the Materials Research Exchange website for further information.