Northern universities launch spinout mentor network to empower entrepreneurs | Marketing

The Universities of Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester are proud to announce the launch of the Northern Triangle Mentor Network, a dynamic initiative designed to drive commercialization opportunities and empower early stage participants.

The Universities of Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester are proud to announce the launch of the Northern Triangle Mentor Network, a dynamic initiative designed to drive commercialization opportunities and empower early stage participants.

The Mentor Network connects aspiring entrepreneurs with a curated community of globally connected mentors, providing invaluable guidance and support as they navigate the journey from concept to commercial success.

The initiative, which is funded through Research England, builds on previous work through the Northern Triangle Initiative (NTI) to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem for spinouts across the three universities. A significant outcome of the project was the launch of the highly successful Northern Gritstone, a £312m fund which launched in 2021.

Andy Hogben, director of marketing at the University of Sheffield, said: “This new mentor community is designed to bring some of the industry’s leading minds together with our spin-out companies and help them grow and scale faster.

It’s a very exciting time to be a spin-out in Sheffield, Leeds or Manchester as we create a world-class ecosystem to support academics turning innovative ideas into tangible, commercial realities.”

Ken Nettleship, Mentor Community Manager of the Northern Triangle Mentor Network said: “We are looking for experienced founders, specialists and experts who are passionate about empowering the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs who bring ideas out of universities in the Northern Triangle.

The role of a mentor is essential in the early stages of starting a business, as they can help shape the success of the business or idea at a critical stage in its evolution. From sharing real-life experiences to guiding founders on their journey – this is a very exciting time to join this global network of mentors.”

The Northern Triangle Mentor Network will offer a range of support, from speed networking events to a 12-week program that will build meaningful relationships between mentors and founders on their commercialization journey.