Programme

 

Venture Mentoring

Our mentoring programme for deep tech chemistry ventures.

About the programme

Bringing entrepreneurs together with industry experts passionate about their technologies and potential.
The Venture Mentoring programme is free to access and has no time limit. Through our Venture Mentoring programme we match entrepreneurs with mentors from a pool of carefully pre-screened and highly experienced industry experts.

Many mentors have previously taken groundbreaking innovations from the lab to the market or have the specific industry sector knowledge that can help our ventures unlock new opportunities.
 
We hold quarterly ‘matching meetings’ to enable the ventures and our pool of mentors to engage and network. The aim is for ventures to request and receive the support of two co-mentors, who can each bring a unique perspective to the challenges faced. Ventures will also benefit from the multiple ad-hoc ideas, connections and suggestions that our mentors can offer.

Ventures can have multiple mentoring pairings throughout their journey.

 

Programme guidelines

Find out more about the eligibility criteria and matching process.

Jon-Paul Griffiths 

Mentor, CTO and Founder at OXECO 
LinkedIn
Jon-Paul is a PhD organic chemist, CTO and Founder of Oxford Advanced Surfaces (now OXECO) in 2006.

He has since led the team developing OXECO’s Onto™ technology platform from university benchtop chemistry through to commercial product roll out, solving challenges in controlling surface chemistry in new and emerging markets for transportation, wind energy and MedTech applications.

Are you ready to influence positive change?

If you are an entrepreneur, investor or industry expert wanting to play a part in bringing solutions to some of the biggest challenges our world is facing, find out more about how you can get involved.

Visit ventures page

Visit investors page

Visit industry experts page

More info...

Simon Turner

Mentor, Partner at Alacrita 
LinkedIn
After an early career at Eli Lilly and ICI Agrochemicals, Simon spent 10 years as a strategic management consultant to blue chip life science companies.

He was the first CEO of University of Cambridge spin-out Biotica Technology, which he led for five years and is currently Managing Partner of boutique biopharma management consultancy Alacrita.  

Simon has an MA in Natural Sciences and a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Cambridge.

Are you ready to influence positive change?

If you are an entrepreneur, investor or industry expert wanting to play a part in bringing solutions to some of the biggest challenges our world is facing, find out more about how you can get involved.

Visit ventures page

Visit investors page

Visit industry experts page

More info...

David Astles

Mentor, former CEO at Ionix Advanced Technologies 
LinkedIn
David is an experienced business leader who worked in a mix of technical and commercial roles in Shell, before leading three VC-backed start-ups, most recently as CEO of Ionix Advanced Technologies. 

With a Chemistry PhD background, his interests are in creating effective commercial strategies for businesses faced with a complex range of potential markets and applications; and building key relationships with blue chip partners and clients. 

Are you ready to influence positive change?

If you are an entrepreneur, investor or industry expert wanting to play a part in bringing solutions to some of the biggest challenges our world is facing, find out more about how you can get involved.

Visit ventures page

Visit investor page

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More info...

Naz Bashir

Mentor, Executive and Director at Evolutia Venture Partners
Naz has over twenty years of experience as an entrepreneur in early-stage companies, in/out licensing, investment strategies and in commercial and business development. He has achieved success in driving sales from licensing, strategic partnerships in the biotech, chemicals, biofuels and food sectors; deal packages ranging up to $100 million. 

Naz is Co-founder of an Omega 3 company and has a PhD in chemistry and an MBA from the University of Exeter.
LinkedIn

Are you ready to influence positive change?

If you are an entrepreneur, investor or industry expert wanting to play a part in bringing solutions to some of the biggest challenges our world is facing, find out more about how you can get involved.

Visit ventures page

Visit investors page

Visit industry experts page

More info...

Mark Selby 

Mentor, Chief Innovation Officer at Ceres
LinkedIn
Mark currently works as the Chief Innovation Officer at Ceres and is also a Non-Executive Director of RFC Power Ltd, an early stage energy storage company based on novel electrochemistry. His mission is to get world-changing science out of the lab and into products that change the world.  
 
Mark is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology, a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) and a mentor for the RAEng Enterprise Hub too. 
 

Are you ready to influence positive change?

If you are an entrepreneur, investor or industry expert wanting to play a part in bringing solutions to some of the biggest challenges our world is facing, find out more about how you can get involved.

Visit ventures page

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More info...

Susan Brench

Mentor, Director and Founder of Akemi Associates 
 LinkedIn
Susan has over 30 years' manufacturing sector experience in strategic and commercial management, stakeholder engagement, marketing, competitor intelligence, international business development and M&A activity. Her expertise is derived primarily from the fine and specialty chemical manufacturing sector.

Susan is a Physical Natural Sciences – Chemical Engineering graduate from the University of Cambridge, with an MBA from Leeds University Business School.

Are you ready to influence positive change?

If you are an entrepreneur, investor or industry expert wanting to play a part in bringing solutions to some of the biggest challenges our world is facing, find out more about how you can get involved.

Visit ventures page

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More info...

Graeme Cruickshank 

Mentor, CTO at Center for Process Innovation 
LinkedIn
Graeme is part the leadership team at CPI (High Vale Manufacturing Catapult) enabling the UK’s ecosystem of academics, SMEs and large companies to de-risk the development and scale-up of their complex, high value healthtech, sustainable materials and formulated products.

Graeme joined CPI from Procter and Gamble where he spent 20 years in a range of senior product design, R&D and technology innovation roles. He has a chemistry PhD from the University of Edinburgh.

Are you ready to influence positive change?

If you are an entrepreneur, investor or industry expert wanting to play a part in bringing solutions to some of the biggest challenges our world is facing, find out more about how you can get involved.

Visit ventures page

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More info...

Mark Verrall 

Mentor, Chairman at Helio Display Materials 
LinkedIn
Mark has more than 30 years leadership experience in R&D and product innovation, including international roles (Taiwan and Germany) developing materials technology business to >£1 billion/year revenues. Until 2019 he was Senior VP and global head of R&D for Merck KGaA Display Materials business.

Mark has a scientific background in chemistry (Exeter University) and materials science (PhD, Southampton University). He is currently Chairman of an Oxford-Cambridge start-up Helio Display Materials.

Are you ready to influence positive change?

If you are an entrepreneur, investor or industry expert wanting to play a part in bringing solutions to some of the biggest challenges our world is facing, find out more about how you can get involved.

Visit ventures page

Visit investors page

Visit industry experts page

More info...

Alexander Reip 

Mentor, CEO of Oxford nanoSystems
LinkedIn
Alex is an award-winning tech entrepreneur working with start-ups across nanotechnology, cleantech and biotech, helping their early-stage growth, through investment readiness and development of their ongoing technology strategy and operations.

He is a Co-founder and now CTO of Oxford nanoSystems (OnS), developing energy efficient coatings. Alex has a PhD from Brunel University, where he is now a Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence.

Are you ready to influence positive change?

If you are an entrepreneur, investor or industry expert wanting to play a part in bringing solutions to some of the biggest challenges our world is facing, find out more about how you can get involved.

Visit ventures page

Visit investors page

Visit industry experts page

More info...

How to register

If you are interested in the mentoring programme, express an interest using the button below and we will contact you to discuss your needs.

Register now

Events

Venture Mentoring event

Our regular event for entrepreneurs to meet our pool of mentors.
19/06/2024
Burlington House, London
Be considered for mentoring

Note that this event is by invitation only. All attendees must be approved as a mentor or mentee before they attend. If interested please contact us here.

Our matching events


A Venture Mentoring matching event for mentors from our industry expert community and selected entrepreneurs. At this event entrepreneurs will give a short pitch about their venture, the opportunities and challenges faced, and the type of support being sought from a mentor.  

Over lunch and refreshments there will be the chance to interact and network with the objective that entrepreneurs and mentors agree to work together.  

Please note that whilst we provide the opportunities for entrepreneurs to meet potential mentors, we cannot guarantee the matching of individuals. To have the best possible chance of doing so entrepreneurs should be very clear about the support they're looking for.
Event
Mentoring

Event location

Burlington House
Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BA

Get directions

Outline for the day

1. Introduction to the programme 
2. Entrepreneur pitches and questions  
3. Lunch and networking

Interested in being matched?

Our Venture Mentoring events are by invitation only. You will be invited based on your compatibility with others on the day. Please register your interest to attend here.

Be considered for mentoring

June 19 Venture Mentoring Matching Event

28 Jun 2023
More info...

Events

Venture Mentoring event

Our regular event for entrepreneurs to meet our pool of mentors.
24/09/2024
Burlington House, London
Be considered for mentoring

Note that this event is by invitation only. All attendees must be approved as a mentor or mentee before they attend. If interested please contact us here.

Our matching events


A Venture Mentoring matching event for mentors from our industry expert community and selected entrepreneurs. At this event entrepreneurs will give a short pitch about their venture, the opportunities and challenges faced, and the type of support being sought from a mentor.  

Over lunch and refreshments there will be the chance to interact and network with the objective that entrepreneurs and mentors agree to work together.  

Please note that whilst we provide the opportunities for entrepreneurs to meet potential mentors, we cannot guarantee the matching of individuals. To have the best possible chance of doing so entrepreneurs should be very clear about the support they're looking for.
Event
Mentoring

Event location

Burlington House
Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BA

Get directions

Outline for the day

1. Introduction to the programme 
2. Entrepreneur pitches and questions  
3. Lunch and networking

Interested in being matched?

Our Venture Mentoring events are by invitation only. You will be invited based on your compatibility with others on the day. Please register your interest to attend here.

Be considered for mentoring

September 24 Venture Mentoring Matching Event

24 Apr 2024
More info...

Events

Venture Mentoring event

Our regular event for entrepreneurs to meet our pool of mentors.
03/12/2024
Burlington House, London
Be considered for mentoring

Note that this event is by invitation only. All attendees must be approved as a mentor or mentee before they attend. If interested please contact us here.

Our matching events


A Venture Mentoring matching event for mentors from our industry expert community and selected entrepreneurs. At this event entrepreneurs will give a short pitch about their venture, the opportunities and challenges faced, and the type of support being sought from a mentor.  

Over lunch and refreshments there will be the chance to interact and network with the objective that entrepreneurs and mentors agree to work together.  

Please note that whilst we provide the opportunities for entrepreneurs to meet potential mentors, we cannot guarantee the matching of individuals. To have the best possible chance of doing so entrepreneurs should be very clear about the support they're looking for.
Event
Mentoring

Event location

Burlington House
Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BA

Get directions

Outline for the day

1. Introduction to the programme 
2. Entrepreneur pitches and questions  
3. Lunch and networking

Interested in being matched?

Our Venture Mentoring events are by invitation only. You will be invited based on your compatibility with others on the day. Please register your interest to attend here.

Be considered for mentoring

December 3rd Venture Mentoring Matching Event

28 Jun 2023
More info...
Support

FAQs

Find out more about Venture Mentoring.

How is a mentee matched to a mentor(s)?
Our matching meetings are the key forum for this matching. We ask mentees to think beforehand what support they need, including if they want a mentor from a specific area of the chemical sciences, industry or business specialism. We then provide the forum for mentees to connect to these prospective mentors and engage in conversation.
How often should mentees and mentors meet?
We suggest approximately one meeting per month. It is important to agree at the matching stage how this will realistically work for both parties.
Can a mentor become formally involved with the venture once the official mentoring engagement has ended?
The expectation is that before any further relationship is initiated at least 3 months should elapse from the end of the mentoring engagement. To directly evolve the relationship from that of mentor to something else (i.e., investor, consultant) risks giving unconflicted advice and must be avoided.