Glasgow ICURe Discover

Glasgow ICURe Discover is a part-time online market exploration programme for researchers and technicians, with up to £2,500 support for market discovery activities.

The programme is open to researchers and technicians from any discipline, based in the Glasgow region. Eligible institutions include the University of Glasgow, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow Caledonian University, University of the West of Scotland and the Glasgow School of Art.

Please note it is a pre-requisite to attend ICURe Discover if you wish to apply for ICURe Explore or Exploit.

About ICURe Discover

This programme aims to enhance market awareness and deepen the understanding of potential technology applications. It contributes to the wider goal of accelerating innovation in the Glasgow region and stimulating long-term economic growth.

Our part-time online market discovery programme is developed using the lean startup methodology, which applies the scientific method (hypothesise, test, evaluate) to business ideas. Participants will learn how to use this approach to gauge their potential customers’ opinions about their idea, product, or service. This programme is suitable for participants looking to explore the potential of their early-stage projects or those who require a part-time commitment for market exploration.

What’s included?

• Up to £2,500 support for testing assumptions and market discovery activities.
• Part-time market discovery spanning 8-11 weeks.
• Training on how to gather market feedback that indicates the next steps for your research and potential for commercialisation.
• Access to our team of experts; we will proactively connect you to our network of entrepreneurs, investors and funders.
• Training in commercial viability using tools such as the Business Model Canvas (BMC).
• Develop an understanding of existing market offerings and competitive landscape for your sector.
• Give a reflective presentation to our panel of experts and gain further traction for your commercialisation plans.

Why attend?

Past participants say that having our training, support and dedicated time to spend on customer discovery has dramatically changed their perspective on their innovation.

Delivery options

• ICURe Discover is funded by Innovate UK and delivered by 3 partners: Midlands Innovation, SETsquared and The Helix Way.
• Our methodology and training methods have been adapted to cover a range of delivery options that will support researchers to join course on a part-time basis, or occasionally as a short full-time sprint.
• In all cases, training and support is delivered online but training course lengths may vary to accommodate public and university holidays. Sprints may have in-person requirements.
• Please read the details attached to each training cohort to ensure that on applying, you are clear on the days where attendance is compulsory.

A pathway towards future ICURe funding

ICURe Discover Programme participants will have the opportunity to apply for the ICURe Explore programme and secure up to £35,000 of grant funding to carry out more extensive market exploration and customer discovery.

Application guidance

For more information on eligibility, managing your IP and any other related questions, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions download, or contact our team who will endeavour to support you.

About our partners

The University of Glasgow published its first Innovation Strategy in 2022 which recognised the importance of growing and accelerating the university’s innovation portfolio as well as the importance of creating opportunity and lasting benefit for all through stimulating economic growth in the Glasgow. Since its launch, the University of Glasgow has developed a range of programmes to support researchers to translate research into real-world solutions. Find out more about the programmes and support available here.

Sottish Enterprise, as Scotland’s national economic development agency, has a long legacy for backing ambitious and innovative spinout companies. Through the High Growth Spinout Programme (HGSP), they support researchers to turn their ideas into commercial possibilities by awarding early-stage funding and support. As a partner of the Glasgow ICURe Discover programme, Scottish Enterprise are enthusiastic to support this regional cohort, from which it is hoped new companies will emerge, building upon intellectual property and with the ambition to grow a company of scale through investment.