Biotech YES21 competition now open!

Biotech YES21 competition logoThe Young Entrepreneurs Scheme (YES) is an innovative global competition developed to raise awareness among early career researchers how ideas can be commercialised. Being part of the competition has many benefits to PGRs. The annual YES competition is now open for entries for 2021.

Second call deadline: Friday 24 September 2021

Develop enterprise skills, think creatively to produce innovative solutions to major challenges, discover how to communicate research with impact and work in a team over three days this autumn.   Challenge yourself and pitch for a share of the £15k+prize fund!

The Young Entrepreneurs Scheme (YES) is open to PhD students, postdocs and research staff at UK and international universities. YES will:

  • Cultivate business acumen
  • Expand your industry network
  • Develop transferable skills
  • Explore career options
  • Enhance your CV

YES will be delivered using a blended learning approach with workshops online and an in person event at the Royal Society (COVID-19 restrictions permitting).

For more information, including a link to the application form, go to the YES website here: http://www.yescompetitions.co.uk/index.aspx

Funding

Update 06/09/2021: The BBSRC will provide bursaries for all their postdoctoral researchers who wish to participate (maximum of 2 per team).  A team consists of four or five – only two early career academics, technicians or those working in knowledge exchange can be part of this four or five. This gives you even more scope in putting a team together.

We encourage cross-DTP teams and the DTP management board will consider funding teams who can demonstrate a strong business case. The DTP criteria for funding can be found in the below document:

A template for putting together a business case requesting DTP funding can be obtained from the DTP Co-ordinator, Catherine Liddle, email: WRDTP@leeds.ac.uk

DTP prize-winners

For inspiration, read about our DTP prize-winners in the YES20 competition in the blog: https://www.whiterose-mechanisticbiology-dtp.ac.uk/white-roses-mycrobio-team-wins-at-yes20-competition/

Feel free to get in touch with the team members for an informal chat about how YES works and the benefits of being involved.