Enterprise Process Labs – High Intensity Training 

Providing hands-on training for needs-led innovation within the focus areas of the UK industrial strategy.

The Enterprise Process Labs High Intensity Training programme (EPL-HIT) provides an introduction to the Needs-Led Innovation Process—a systematic and proven approach to the identification of unmet user needs and the creative design of new technologies that takes important stakeholders into account. The particular focus areas of this year’s programme will be:

• Decarbonisation and the electric revolution;
• Healthy ageing and the detection of disease;
• Future of manufacturing and sustainable packaging.

The programme will include specific sessions for health-focussed areas, as an extension of the previously-run Biodesign ‘Short Programme’.

The immediate aim of the programme is to provide entrepreneurial participants with the skills needed to become innovators through hands-on learning in digital innovation, mentorship, and feedback from world-leading experts. The programme provides guidance and best practice around anticipating potential hurdles early on in the innovation process.

What makes the programme unique?

EPL-HIT leverages a needs-pull approach rather than technology-push approach. This process starts by characterising and identifying the needs of the market, particularly within the focus areas of the UK industrial strategy. EPL applies needs-led innovation beyond healthcare to the entirety of the industrial strategy.
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Fellows will be equipped to create a tech startup immediately at the end of the programme, and we will sponsor successful fellows for a roadshow in China to pitch to investors and government officials.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until 11 January 2020. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview thereafter.

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Timeline:

The programme will run from January through June, during Hilary Term (8 weeks, Phase 1) and Trinity Term (8 weeks, Phase 2) on a once-weekly basis (Tuesdays 17:00–18:45) at Somerville College in Oxford. Only teams that successfully ‘graduate’ from Phase 1 will be invited to move forward to Phase 2.
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We seek candidates who are:

• Serious about starting a business venture or social enterprise, but don’t necessarily have an idea or team yet;
• Have a technical (STEM) or medical science background, OR a corporate/marketing/business background (including talented undergraduates who are reading a course within these fields);
• Have an interest in pursuing opportunities not just within the UK but also abroad (e.g. China, US, etc).

The programme seeks to recruit 18–20 fellows, with applications open to all university members, hospital staff, as well as non-university members. However, half of all slots will be reserved specifically for EPSRC funded postgraduate students within the University.