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Awards for Social Enterprise innovation create a buzz in Manchester

27 Jul 2013

The University of Manchester Innovation Group (UMI3 Ltd) is pleased to announce that the Social Enterprise Competition 2013 has resulted in 19 outstanding social venture entrepreneurs receiving awards to develop their ideas further.

Social Enterprise innovation

The competition was launched in 2012 as a result of the University’s selection as one of 56 partner institutions in the HEFCE/UnLtd Higher Education Support Programme, and has been delivered by UMI3 Ltd and Manchester Enterprise Centre (MECj).

Open to all staff, students and recent graduates of the University, individuals were encouraged to submit ideas for entrepreneurial solutions to social or environmental problems.

The Grand-Prix Final, held at the University’s Innovation Centre, showcased a wide range of ideas which addressed social or environmental needs ranging from virtual reality therapy as a treatment for phantom limb pain to a mobile app which assists healthcare professionals in screening for domestic violence. 

UMI3 has awarded over £41,000 worth of funding to applicants from all four Faculties in two categories which reflect the development stage of the enterprise idea. There have been 11 Try It Awards for social entrepreneurs to try out their ideas by finding out if their idea is viable, learning more about what is needed and trying the project on a small scale initially and eight Do It Awards to allow an entrepreneurial idea to grow.

Professor James Thompson, Associate Dean for External Relations in the Faculty of Humanities commented: “The University has a great record in commercialisation and now the emphasis on the social enterprise demonstrates further the innovation within the institution coupled with our mission to contribute positively to society. The diversity of applicants and awards to this year’s competition was outstanding.”

There are plans to run this competition again next year and the programme team aims to build on the success and interest which has been generated over the past eight months.