Idea transform

ideaSpace supports Idea Transform programme with co-working and mentoring prize

27 February 2012

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Provides comprehensive backing to help develop technology that makes a difference Idea Transform, the major new initiative to support meaningful entrepreneurs, today …

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Provides comprehensive backing to help develop technology that makes a difference

Idea Transform, the major new initiative to support meaningful entrepreneurs, today announced the high profile support of ideaSpace Enterprise Accelerator. The winning team at the first Idea Transform event (20-22 April 2012) will benefit from free membership of ideaSpace, providing them with access to co-working facilities in Cambridge as well as the support of ideaSpace’s extensive network.

Created in partnership with the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (CfEL), Idea Transform aims to help those developing innovative ideas turn them into sustainable businesses through a programme that combines events, mentoring and targeted support. It will support ideas in areas as diverse as education, health, finance, community and the environment.

The first event in the Idea Transform programme will take place between 20-22 April 2012 at the Cambridge Judge Business School. It aims to team up people with ideas and those with business, marketing and technical skills to work together intensely over the weekend in order to develop meaningful and innovative projects. Attendees will benefit from a combination of hands-on, experienced mentors and inspiring keynote speakers to provide the perfect environment to learn, advance their ideas and network with like-minded individuals.

At the end of the weekend an international judging panel will select those projects that show the most promise and Idea Transform will then work closely with them to provide on going mentoring and support. The ideaSpace announcement is a key part of this continued support as it combines access to facilities with mentoring and networking programmes to accelerate innovative projects.

Stewart McTavish, Innovation and Support Director, ideaSpace, said:

We wanted to support Idea Transform as it will bring people together to develop projects that solve meaningful real world problems. By creating teams in a live project development environment the people involved have a perfect opportunity to learn about translating innovative ideas into actionable projects, and then receive the support they need to move forward over the longer term. By working with them after the weekend through our membership programme we can help accelerate these projects towards becoming fully-fledged, sustainable businesses.”

The three-month prize membership of ideaSpace will be available to six winning team members from the Idea Transform event.

Mauro Ciaccio, co-founder, Idea Transform, said:

When we created Idea Transform we were determined that it would provide long term support to nurture innovative and meaningful projects. Consequently working with ideaSpace is a natural next step and we welcome their generous support, which will help nurture a winning project by connecting them with the Cambridge startup community centred on ideaSpace as well as providing state of the art facilities, mentoring and guidance.”