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LAUNCH.Ed
LAUNCh.Ed is a project conceived at the University of Edinburgh to help and support the staff and students of the university to convert their business ideas into a reality.

LAUNCH is run by the Edinburgh Research and Innovation (ERI) which is a subsidiary of the University of Edinburgh and is responsible for commercialising technology developed by academics of the University's departments. It is partly funded by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council and provides free service to the University's students and staff.

ACTIVITIES
The University of Edinburgh is highly renown worldwide for its excellence in research and much of the research undertaken by its students and staff have substantial commercial value. LAUNCH provides the essential bridge between the academic environment and the commercial world.


 * Student LAUNCH encourages current pupil and recent alumni of The University of Edinburgh who want to see their nascent ideas and research, blossom into a thriving business. LAUNCH facilitates this by providing practical advice and guidance to undergraduates,postgraduates and alumni who approach LAUNCH with a plan to commercialize their research and technology ideas. Students can work with LAUNCH, without charge,alongside their studies and explore the potential worth of their research ideas, so they can create and work for their own company after finishing their studies.


 * Staff LAUNCH is to help Inventors and Innovators working for the world class research institutes of the University of Edinburgh to convert their ideas and concepts into commercially successful ventures. The LAUNCH team offers a wide range of free support and advice services to academics, right from identification,protection and licensing of IP (Intellectual Property)to contract negotiations for staff who provide consultancy to external organizations.


 * 'In general, these free services offered by LAUNCH to convert the entreprenurial visions of students and staff of the University of Edinburgh include:


 * Exploring funding options
 * Business planning support
 * Assessing the potential market
 * Advice,mentoring and networking
 * Hot-desk and resources

Recent Achievements
In the last 5 years, over 57 early stage companies have been setup staff and students by availing the services of LAUNCH.ed and these companies have raised over £18 million in investment funding and employ over 150 staff.