All RISE ... introducing a new home for entrepreneurs at the University
University of Glasgow, Innovation & Economic Development
Working to transform our research, expertise and talent into high-impact innovation, to benefit Glasgow and the world
A founders’ club has been set up for entrepreneurs and innovators at the University of Glasgow who want to network and support others.
RISE@UofG will host an exclusive launch event next month (Oct 28) at the Advanced Research Centre (ARC) with guest speakers Joe O’Keeffe and Shireen Davies - two high-profile entrepreneurs who will relay the ups and downs of their own entrepreneurial journeys - a panel Q&A and a networking session.
The peer-to-peer group has been set up to provide a platform for staff and post-graduate students to connect with experienced founders within both the staff and the alumni communities for advice, learning, mentorship, potential funding sources, and other assistance during their company building journey.
RISE@UofG - Research, Innovation, Spin-out /Start-up, Entrepreneurship - has been established to promote and enhance entrepreneurship across campus and beyond.
A dedicated web space for RISE@UofG has been created on the University website here and staff and students are being invited to join the network on a new LinkedIn Group.
To book your tickets for the launch event, please visit the Eventbrite listing.
RISE@UofG was set up in recognition of the challenges involved in successful navigation of the commercialisation journey, and the lack of accessible peer support despite the availability of significant untapped talent of successful entrepreneurs within the University.
According to the website, the purpose of the group is to “help, in the broadest sense, and advise founders at all stages of their journeys and to enhance entrepreneurial activities in the University.
“The RISE@UofG platform provides an active on-line discussion forum open to staff, students, alumni, and investors for peer-to-peer discussions, Q&A, networking, problem solving, pitch advice, access to investors.”
About the Speakers
Joe O’Keeffe is a serial entrepreneur and founder of InfiniLED, a MicroLED display technology company acquired by Facebook in 2016, and SensL, a sensor technology firm acquired by ONSemi. He is the former VP of Display Research at Meta, where he led technology development for AR, VR, and Portal products. Joe has also launched many other start-ups, including Nannocoms, EnBIO, PixQuanta, and PlasMedica. He currently supports around ten early-stage deep-tech startups, focusing on AR/VR, optics/photonics, semiconductors, and AI. Additionally, Joe is an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Tyndall Research Institute in Cork. He has a strong background in technology and business, with degrees from Dublin City University and University College Dublin.
Shireen Davies is a Glasgow-based entrepreneur originally from Singapore, holding an Honorary Professorship at the University of Glasgow and is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Shireen is CEO and co-founder of SOLASTA Bio, which she has scaled from a University of Glasgow spin-out to a prominent scale-up with over 20 employees and a US subsidiary. Her leadership has been instrumental in securing substantial funding, including a recent $14m Series A round. SOLASTA Bio is at the forefront of developing innovative bioinsecticides through first-in-class, tiny proteins designed to target major insect pests. This approach offers cutting-edge solutions to the global challenge of sustainable food production.
The hybrid RISE@UofG launch event will take place both in person at ARC on Monday 28 October, 15:45 - 18:00 GMT and online for the speakers and panel elements.
Founder of Beyond Baseline | Global Speaker | Coach to athletes, entrepreneurs & CEOs | Helping people move beyond their baseline to realise their potential | #HumanFlourishing
1moAbout time yall! 👌🏼
Supporting the transition to a more Social, Democratic and Regenerative Economy.
2moJames Finnie just flagging ahead of our chat on Tuesday
Great to see it launched. Looking forward to being part of it.
Student and Graduate Enterprise Manager at University of Glasgow Adam Smith Business School
2moLooking forward to being part of this group and helping to support our future founders.
Vice Principal Economic Development & Innovation and Deputy Chief Operating Officer.
2moGreat to see this launched! 👏🏽 🤩 Our founders club ‘Rise@UofG’ has been established to create a support network for those who are involved in entrepreneurial activity. Looking forward to hearing from our two speakers Shireen Davies and Joe O'Keeffe at our inaugural event!