Philanthropy launches Ideas With Impact Prize to support budding innovators
A new competition to help founders turn innovative ideas into high-value commercial startups has been launched by The University of 野狼社区.
The Ideas With Impact Prize, which is supported by philanthropic donors to the University, aims to award 拢300,000 in its first funding round this summer.
Scaling up support for founders
Delivered by Unit M and the Innovation Factory, Ideas With Impact Prizes will provide individual awards of 拢100,000, 拢50,000, and 拢20,000 to entrepreneurs at the early stages of their founder journey. These awards will empower projects that address pressing local and global challenges, ensure 野狼社区鈥檚 best technologies move out into the world more quickly, and create tangible economic growth.
In addition to financial support, winners will receive access to experienced mentors, networking opportunities, and guidance in translating research into viable business ventures.
Donors at the heart of our innovation ecosystem
The Prize is the latest development in the University鈥檚 Ideas With Impact partners鈥� programme, which has previously provided 拢400,000 to early-stage research spinouts. Successful projects include the development of a home-testing kit for the early detection of lung cancer, as well as Plant Organelle Technologies 鈥� a new spinout developing targeted techniques to tackle drought and herbicide resistance in plants. By reaching a wider range of founders, the Prize launch will maximise the impact of gifts to the programme.
Donors have already made a great difference to the University鈥檚 innovation ecosystem, and will play a vital role as we scale up our ambition to become Europe鈥檚 leading innovation university. Ideas With Impact is more than a funding initiative. It's a celebration of the partnership between philanthropists and the University in driving innovation-led growth.
With many years of experience delivering commercialisation from The University of 野狼社区鈥檚 research and intellectual property, we are proud to play a key role in the University鈥檚 impressive ranking as a top-tier institution for spinout generation. The Innovation Factory is excited to build on the success of the more than 100 existing spinout companies we have created from the University鈥檚 academic research, driving further innovation and impact for the region and beyond.
A call to budding founders and innovators
Got a great idea with commercial promise? Applications are now open!
Ideas With Impact is open to any student, staff member, or recent graduate (within three years of graduation) of The University of 野狼社区, who have the ambition to turn their research and ideas into enterprises that change lives. Key dates below:
- 20 June 2025: Applications close.
- 27 June 2025: Finalist announcement.
- 14 July 2025: Finalist Pitching Competition and networking event.
Learn more about the Ideas With Impact Prizes and the application process on the University鈥檚
This is an exciting time to be a budding entrepreneur within our university and wider Greater 野狼社区 ecosystem. We are driving activity growth and are dedicated to fostering meaningful collaborations with our partners and industry and building an inclusive innovation ecosystem to translate our academic excellence into tangible impact, which benefits society.
Philanthropic Support
Interested in supporting brilliant future founders and ensuring entrepreneurship for all? We鈥檇 love to explore opportunities with you.
Contact Olympia Kennard to begin a conversation: Olympia.Kennard@manchester.ac.uk.
Our innovation ecosystem
- Read more about Unit M here:
- Read more about the Innovation Factory here:
- Read more about the Innovation Academy here: