Students enter the CPI Dragon’s Den

With tutorials given by proven business managers on the importance of successful and concise communication of key points when seeking investors for innovative, problem solving ideas, the students were then asked to work on, develop and deliver a Dragon’s Den-style pitch to the panel of experts and full auditorium.

The day was an excellent opportunity for the students to receive expert guidance and tutorship, and an example of CPI’s continued mentoring of exceptional students and the UK’s next generation of entrepreneurs.

CPI works in the innovation space between the discovery of an idea (where university work typically concentrates) and the delivery of a product or service to the commercial market. It develops ideas, influences the forced evolution of technologies, proves concepts and works with universities by working with spin-out companies and offering industrial mentoring to exceptional Masters and PhD students.

Esteban Chaparro, Business Development at CPI says 

“We believe it is vital for the UK economy that new generations are able to satisfy future market needs through technology innovation. We had an exciting day and an excellent response from the students, we hope this has generated enough enthusiasm within them to carry on studying science and learn how to apply it to the real world.”

Ian Smith, Acting Director of Engineering and Computing at Middlesbrough College says: 

“At Middlesbrough College, we are always striving to provide the best teaching and learning experience so it was fantastic for our students to benefit from the knowledge of CPI’s industry experts. We encourage innovation and creative thinking and to be able to offer them practical experience of delivering a pitch was particularly useful.”

Contacts

Matthew Herbert, CPI, 01642 447 274 / 07795127628, matthew.​herbert@​uk-​cpi.​com

Notes

About CPI

The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) is a UK based technology innovation centre and part of the government’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult. CPI offers market and technology expertise along with cutting-edge development assets to help its public and private sector clients build and prototype the next generation of products, processes and services quickly and efficiently, and with minimal risk. 

CPI has the capability to develop products and processes for companies working in the pharma, chemical, energy and printable electronics markets. Cutting-edge facilities are manned by commercially experienced scientists and engineers, and are equipped with development laboratories, prototyping facilities and pilot plants that enable clients to prove and scale up processes from the laboratory stage through to commercial reality. CPI also offers a multi-disciplined team who work together on project management, investment and market opportunities to ensure each business fulfils its potential.