VentureVersity Mixer - Leicester (Canopy)
Are you working on an idea for a new product or service, based on your University work or research? Join us for an informal conversation, inspiration and early exploration.
Overview
VentureVersity Mixers are free, informal events for university staff, researchers, technicians and academics who are curious about the wider potential of their work - whether that's a spinout, a licensing opportunity, or simply a question worth exploring. We're backed by Forging Ahead – a Research England supported, 16-University wide collaboration, on a mission to supercharge the Midlands University innovation community. We welcome attendees from any discipline or University.
You won't be asked to pitch. You won't need a business plan. You just need an idea – or a hunch – and an open mind.
What to expect:
Welcome & networking (30 min) - arrive and grab a drink and a snack
About VentureVersity (20 min) - we'll explain the programme, how it works and why
Guest speakers (20 min) - Associate Professors Dr Omar Qutachi & Dr Chris Young will share their experience of taking an idea from research to venture
Meet the room (30 min) - a friendly, informal networking activity to get people talking, followed by informal conversations with fellow attendees
About our Speakers
Dr Omar Qutachi
Co-Founder, CHROMAR Research & Development Ltd
Dr Omar Qutachi is Associate Professor in Pharmaceutics at De Montfort University and Co-Founder of CHROMAR Research & Development Ltd. With more than 15 years' experience in biomaterials, drug delivery, regenerative medicine and healthcare innovation, Omar has secured and contributed to over £1.3 million in funding and authored more than 30 peer-reviewed publications. As lead developer of the CHROMAR technology platform, he has guided innovations from laboratory research through customer discovery, manufacturing scale-up and commercialisation, including participation in Innovate UK ICURe and VentureVersity programmes.
Dr Chris Young
Co-Founder & CEO, CHROMAR Research & Development Ltd
Dr Chris Young is Associate Professor in Molecular Medicine at De Montfort University and Co-Founder & CEO of CHROMAR Research & Development Ltd. An experienced researcher, innovator and commercialisation leader, Chris has over 15 years' experience in molecular medicine and healthcare innovation, has secured and contributed to more than £700,000 in funding, and has published 36 peer-reviewed research papers. Through CHROMAR, ICURe and VentureVersity, he has led customer discovery, stakeholder engagement and commercial strategy activities, helping translate university research into opportunities with real-world healthcare impact.
Places are limited. If you're curious, register now - no commitment required beyond showing up.
Mixers are a part of the FIND stage of the VentureVersity programme – VentureVersity is a free fully-funded programme designed to help University staff to build momentum around projects which have potential to become new products & services.
Projects accepted onto the VentureVersity Programme have the chance to apply for up to £60,000 of funding and support to help them accelerate their project development.
Applications are OPEN and close on 31 July 2026 – learn more and apply here: https://www.ventureversity.org