Successes and opportunities for the bioeconomy

Join staff and researchers from the universities of York, Teesside and Hull as well as industry, funders and investors to hear about the latest bio-based business support and investment opportunities that are available to kick start or progress your ideas.

The event will include a pitchfest competition for THYME funded proof-of-concept researchers, THYME entrepreneurship training attendees and eligible bio-based companies. As well as access to funders and investors the winners of the pitchfest will have the opportunity to pitch at the MPowerBio pitch event in Dusseldorf in October 2022.

The event will include an exhibition on other support initiatives from across York, Teesside and the Humber region as well as a poster session to showcase the exciting range of proof-of-concept projects THYME has supported.

Agenda

10.15am, Welcome

Dr Joe Ross, Director of the Biorenewables Development Centre

10.20am, Working in partnership

Professor Matthias Ruth, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, University of York

10.35am, Industry collaborations panel discussion and Q&A

Sue Jefferson, Chair of LEP Business Board, York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership

12pm, Lunch, exhibition, poster display and networking

1pm, Pitchfest: an opportunity for bio-based innovators from Universities, spin-outs and start-ups to pitch their business idea to a panel of judges

Chair: Professor Dan Parsons, Director, Energy and Environment Institute, University of Hull

Judges: Professor Kiran Trehan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Partnerships and Engagement, University of York, Yvonne Gale, Chief Executive Officer and Director of NEL EOT, NEL Fund Managers Ltd, James Byrne, Partner, Sustainable Ventures Ltd, Iain Edwards, Innovation & Growth Specialist, RTC North

2pm, Coffee break

2.15pm, Pitchfest opportunity continues

Professor Dan Parsons, Director, Energy and Environment Institute, University of Hull

2.45pm, Pitchfest feedback from the judges and prize giving

3pm, Further opportunities for bio-based innovation

Sue Jefferson, Chair of LEP Business Board, York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership

Dr Joe Ross, Director, Biorenewables Development Centre

The THYME project is a collaboration between the Universities of Teesside, Hull and York to boost the bioeconomy across Yorkshire, the Humber region and the Tees Valley.

THYME is part of a multi-million investment package to share good practice and capacity across the higher education sector through Research England’s Connecting Capability Fund (CCF).