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Heriot-Watt University has appointed three expert Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EiR) as part of a new initiative to support the transformation of innovative research and ideas across the university into commercial impact and entrepreneurial success.
The strategic EiR roles will further reinforce Heriot-Watt’s vibrant enterprise culture by helping academics, students and recent graduates launch new spin-out companies and startup ventures.
The experienced entrepreneurs will mentor university teams on progressing intellectual property into real-world products, services and scalable companies. By sharing their knowledge and networks, and guiding university ventures through business development processes, the EiRs will boost Heriot-Watt’s pipeline of spin-out companies and help research make a wider economic and societal impact.
Those appointed include Elizabeth Pirrie, CEO of AccelerateHER. Elizabeth is a dynamic and determined advocate for female-led businesses in the UK and will focus on boosting entrepreneurial activity amongst aspiring female founders at Heriot-Watt.
With her vast experience, Elizabeth and the team aim to help female founders to accelerate growth, scale their companies and access investment. Her hands-on guidance will provide Heriot-Watt students and academics with invaluable industry connections and investment expertise to help get their ventures off the ground.
Elizabeth says: “I’m honoured to be Joining Heriot-Watt University as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence and can’t wait to explore new ways of fostering entrepreneurship across the university community. I want to focus on supporting aspiring women founders; accelerating their growth and success as well as demystifying the routes to accessing investment.
“Using knowledge and networks built up throughout my time in the field of entrepreneurship, we can together transform students’ innovative research and ideas into impactful commercial ventures. By building a thriving ecosystem of startups and businesses, we will drive meaningful change across the country’s communities and economy. Let’s get started!”
Elizabeth is joined by Conrad Chin, board member at Blackford Analysis and ex-Skyscanner Director, who will provide business advisory to Heriot-Watt spin-out companies. With thirty years' experience creating and leading technology driven enterprises, Conrad is a trusted advisor to Scotland's founder and investor communities. His lived experiences and fresh perspectives will give Heriot-Watt spin-outs critical operational insight and connections to fuel their growth.
Completing the trio is Kevin Parker, Founder and Director of KKI Associates Ltd, who will deliver business advisory services and workshops within the University's business incubators. Kevin has already helped to form more than 20 start-up companies and supported businesses to secure in excess of £1 million of grant awards and £2 million of risk funding. He carries out extensive business training for companies, start-ups, universities and research institutes. His entrepreneurial track record, investment expertise and training programmes will equip Heriot-Watt students and staff with the skills and knowledge to develop investment ready propositions and successful companies.
The EiR appointments reinforce Heriot-Watt's position as one of Europe’s top universities for graduate employability, where students benefit from practical, paid work placements, learn from expert practitioners and academics, and leave fully prepared for their future careers.
Commenting on the appointments, Grant Wheeler, Head of Commercialisation, said:
"Welcoming these successful business leaders to our extensive ecosystem of talent represents a significant commitment to cultivating entrepreneurship at Heriot-Watt. Our Enterprise team at GRID has grown rapidly in 2023 and is supporting more spin-outs and startups than ever before. We’re keen to give those entrepreneurs the best possible start, and the experience brought by Elizabeth, Conrad, and Kevin will be invaluable in helping guide the University’s dearth of innovators to achieve their fullest potential. I’m delighted that we’re able to give such experienced industry experts a platform to directly mentor emerging businesses, adding an experienced view on markets and introducing key contacts from their networks.”
He added: "At Heriot-Watt, we’re first in Scotland for graduate employability. Our graduates are also first in the UK for CEO or MD roles. This is thanks to our career-focused degrees and lifetime careers support. By providing hands-on guidance, our EiRs will further enhance the business skills and acumen amongst our entrepreneurial students and recent graduates.”