Do you want to develop the commercial potential of your research now or in the future?
Future Founders is a training offer specifically designed for academics to embrace enterprise opportunities from their research. Many participants from previous cohorts have gone on to launch their own spinout businesses, and researchers at Northern Accelerator universities can now apply for the next cohort.
Find out more and apply here by 31 October 2025.
The course will take place at The Crowne Plaza Hotel Newcastle, beginning on 13 November 2025. You’ll be signing up to a series of sessions to build your entrepreneurial capability and accelerate your idea development.
What you’ll learn
The workshops, delivered by innovation and venturing specialists, Zuas, cover:
- Diagnosing opportunities
- Accelerating development
- Business planning and finances
- Fundraising and pitching
Who can apply?
Our current funding for Future Founders covers places for academics from Durham, Newcastle and Northumbria Universities.
If you are a researcher at Sunderland, Teesside or York, you may still be able to apply. Please speak to your Northern Accelerator lead to discuss whether funding is available for this cohort or future courses.
What does the course lead to?
Future Founders will equip you with the skills to recognise and embrace commercial opportunities from your research. Your university’s technology transfer team will work closely with you to do this, and you may be interested in getting involved (if you’re not already) with other elements of Northern Accelerator’s support, such as our pre-incorporation funding or executives into business.
We’re investing in you and we want to help you make an impact with the outcome of your research, so we’ll ensure we put you in touch with the right people at your university to progress those opportunities.
Many of our previous participants have gone on to launch their own spinout businesses, with the research they progressed throughout their time on Future Founders.
