A new competition to help founders turn innovative ideas into high-value commercial startups has been launched by The University of Manchester.
The Ideas With Impact Prize, which is supported by philanthropic donors to the University, aims to award £300,000 in its first funding round this summer.
Scaling up support for founders
Delivered by Unit M and the Innovation Factory, Ideas With Impact Prizes will provide individual awards of £100,000, £50,000, and £20,000 to entrepreneurs at the early stages of their founder journey. These awards will empower projects that address pressing local and global challenges, ensure Manchester's best technologies move out into the world more quickly, and create tangible economic growth.
In addition to financial support, winners will receive access to experienced mentors, networking opportunities, and guidance in translating research into viable business ventures.
Donors at the heart of our innovation ecosystem
The Prize is the latest development in the University's Ideas With Impact partners' programme, which has previously provided £400,000 to early-stage research spinouts. Successful projects include the development of a home-testing kit for the early detection of lung cancer, as well as Plant Organelle Technologies - a new spinout developing targeted techniques to tackle drought and herbicide resistance in plants. By reaching a wider range of founders, the Prize launch will maximise the impact of gifts to the programme.
Donors have already made a great difference to the University's innovation ecosystem, and will play a vital role as we scale up our ambition to become Europe's leading innovation university. Ideas With Impact is more than a funding initiative. It's a celebration of the partnership between philanthropists and the University in driving innovation-led growth.
A call to budding founders and innovators
Got a great idea with commercial promise? Applications are now open!
Ideas With Impact is open to any student, staff member, or recent graduate (within three years of graduation) of The University of Manchester, who have the ambition to turn their research and ideas into enterprises that change lives. Key dates below:
- 20 June 2025: Applications close.
- 27 June 2025: Finalist announcement.
- 14 July 2025: Finalist Pitching Competition and networking event.
Learn more about the Ideas With Impact Prizes and the application process on the University's competition website.
Philanthropic Support
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