Supervising a team of Cambridge students and researchers with entrepreneurial aspirations presents a unique opportunity to expand your teaching repertoire around early-phase innovation development. Your team will carry out a commercial feasibility study on a piece of new science or technology (submitted by an inventor) producing a 3,000-word report at the end. Your role will be to guide them through that process.
The contribution our supervisors make is valuable on many levels - not least the impression your team receives about the possibilities that lie at this fertile interface of scientific technology and entrepreneurship. We offer a modest stipend (based on standard rates for University supervision) representing 10 hours of work. You join us for the rewarding experience and networking opportunities more than the financial reward.
What will I have to do?
There are two dates we ask you to attend: Launch Night and Pitch Night. This is where you will meet your team and the inventor and discuss the project. At Pitch Night, you will support your team and follow-up with the inventor. Both occasions are excellent networking opportunities and are held at Cambridge Judge Business School after 17:00.
Between these dates, you will provide three supervisions on mutually agreed dates during the research period of several weeks. These take place in the breakout spaces around Cambridge Judge Business School. Each supervision lasts for up to 90 minutes. At the end of each supervision you will compile a short report to send to the Programme Director so the team's progress can be monitored. Key themes form a loose structure underlying the supervisions to ensure timely progression of the project. We provide detailed guidance for supervisors.
What background should I have?
Our supervisors have a broad entrepreneurship and coaching experience portfolio with many established and emerging sectors well-represented. They bring professional experience and knowledge expertise that enriches the whole programme.
We provide supervisions using a mix of academics and external professionals. We aim to secure good matches between projects and supervisors to maximise the overall experience for all participants and contributors.
You are likely to be a good fit if you have a PhD, Masters or MBA and/or experience mentoring students, coaching startups, setting up your own business or advising other people on their businesses. We are keen to develop our pool of appropriately qualified supervisors with science, medicine and engineering backgrounds.
What are the expectations I will need to fulfil?
All teams have some form of assessment. You will help ensure your team is match-fit by tracking their progress on their project. We have sample reports for illustration purposes. We will expect you to provide a rich and intellectual learning environment for your teams.
