Roslin KEC team make impact in UK-wide business awards

Key staff who turn leading research into business opportunities have reached the final of a nationwide contest.

Business development managers based at the The Roslin Institute and University of Edinburgh have been shortlisted for the 2013 Activating Impact competition.

The winning team, which will receive £50,000, will be announced on 20 March 2013.

The competition is run by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to acknowledge institutions that have translated excellent research into social and economic benefits.

Edinburgh Research and Innovation Ltd (ERI) - the commercial arm of the University of Edinburgh - has two business development staff based at The Roslin Institute and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

ERI works to promote the University's world-class research and commercialisation to potential funders, collaborators, licensees and investors.

It is very exciting to be one of the finalists in the Activating Impact competition. ERI works hard to find new and innovative ways of bringing research findings into an industrial setting and we are very pleased to have received this recognition for our work.

Having two of ERI's business development managers working at the Easter Bush Campus has had clear benefits to researchers on site to the extent that more than 80% of researchers here now have direct collaborations with industry.

ERI is a sector leading organisation with an excellent track record in delivering impact. The Activating Impact Competition has been an ideal opportunity for ERI to pilot some new activities that will enhance our delivery of Knowledge Exchange and Commercialisation for the University and I am delighted for the whole team that we are among such excellent finalists.

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