InvestorG8™ is a 12 month A4B Welsh Government funded pilot programme that is designed to bridge the gap between previously funded translational research projects and investor-ready opportunities that have achieved the necessary technological and market acceptance levels required by seed-stage venture capital funds.  The pilot will focus on the life science research base at Swansea University.

 The pilot will fund a total four projects, each receiving between £50,000 and £75,000.  Initial applications will be rapidly assessed by members of the Department of Research & Innovation.

 Following this, short-listed candidate projects will be independently assessed by an Investor Panel of highly experienced venture capital fund managers.  The basis for final selection of the successful projects will be will be the commercial potential of the underlying technology as identified by the investors.

 Each project will need to clearly demonstrate that the funding received will be sufficient to deliver an investable proposition based on feedback from the Investor Panel.  Each of the selected projects will also need to appoint a Commercial Lead.  These individuals will have experience of the technologies under development and contacts within the industries being targeted by the project teams.  The cost of appointing the Commercial Lead will be met through the funding that is awarded.

Mark Bowman Ventures Ltd has been appointed as the Programme Director for InvestorG8™.  The company’s Managing Director, Dr Mark Bowman, has extensive experience of research, technology transfer and venture capital investment.

Working closely with Dr Gerry Ronan at the Department of Research & Innovation, Dr Bowman will oversee a continuous feedback loop between academic researchers, Commercial Leads and the Investor Panel.

During the pilot, each project will be regularly reviewed by the Investor Panel prior to an Investor Pitch being delivered by each project team.  On the basis of this pitch, the investor panel will decide whether to proceed with an investment offer, either individually or as a syndicate.

Academic researchers that are interested in applying for InvestorG8™ funding should contact Dr Gerry Ronan or Dr Mark Bowman for an initial discussion prior to submitting a formal written application.

 PLEASE NOTE:

1. The deadline for this initial call for applications is 5.00 pm on Friday 28th February 2014.

 2. Only applications relating to life sciences projects will be considered during this pilot.