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BBSRC YES Competition

  • Biotechnology YES is an innovative programme and competition aimed at raising awareness of commercialisation of bioscience research. It is co-organised by the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the University of Nottingham Institute for Enterprise & Innovation (UNIEI). As part of the wider national YES programme, we are currently encouraging applications from teams of postgraduate/ postdoctoral bioscientists who wish to enter the 2007 competition.
  • YES entrants form imaginary companies and bid for funding to commercialise their ideas. Through 3-day workshops (all expenses paid for the teams) taking place across the UK this autumn, participants receive training from entrepreneurs, patent lawyers and industry representatives in the business skills necessary to recognise, protect and harness the commercial potential of scientific research outputs.
  • The culmination of the competition is the preparation and presentation, by each team, of a hypothetical business plan for a new start-up company.  The competition is therefore fully in line with the government’s objective of encouraging economic impact and the competition is endorsed by a number of bio-based industries through their sponsorship.  In addition, the winning team of the national Biotechnology YES competition will receive a prize of £1000.
  • Since its launch twelve years ago, Biotechnology YES has provided entrepreneurial business training for over 1500 young researchers from across the UK. A recent review of the scheme has highlighted that many former participants found YES to be influential in developing their careers, with several starting their own companies and many more becoming business professionals within the bioscience sector.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is a major sponsor of the BBSRC YES Competition workshop for the Northwest in Manchester on 17-19 October 2007. The event is also being sponsored by AstraZeneca, the University of Manchester Incubator Company and several other Manchester partners. 

The closing date for entries into this year’s competition is 30 June 2007 (note: possibility for an extension to deadline).

More information and application details may be found at the website: www.biotechnologyYES.co.uk or those interested in participating may wish to contact Tracey Hassall-Jones.