Genecom Limited Doherty Innovation Centre Pentland Science Park Bush Loan PENICUIK, EH26 OPZ
T: +44 (0) 131 445 6100
E: info@genecombio.com
Funding : The Genecom Orphans Project
An Overview of the Orphans Project Fund
What is the Orphans Fund?
The Orphans Project is a fund designed to encourage entrepreneurs in the life sciences and beyond. We aim to enable innovators to harness the commercial potential of their ideas by offering grants and mentoring. The level of grant has been increased to £15k and can aid in the Proof of Concept phase of product development or to aid the start-up of a new company.
Orphans Grants are designed to encourage enterprise in the life sciences and to promote technology transfer and new technology development through creating projects between life-science SME's and entrepreneurs and our partners, Moredun, the Institute for Animal Health and the Roslin Foundation.
Orphans Grants can be paid directly to eligible SME companies and entrepreneurs or to the partners who we term the 'Collaborating Party' and are awarded on a competitive basis. Where a grant is made, it is assumed that the SME or entrepreneurs will then contract with a relevant research group within the Collaborating Party who willprovide the assistance required.
Who Can Apply to the Fund
The Orphans fund is available for small businesses, SMEs and individuals in Scotland. The Orphans Project awards grants which promote collaboration and interaction between entrepreneurs and (currently) the Moredun Research Institute, the Institute for Animal Health and the Roslin Foundation.
Why ‘Orphans’?
The name ‘Orphans’ comes from the fact that the fund is available to enterprises which may struggle to find funds from other sources.
In many cases, early stage commercialization is too risky to attract investment; the Orphans fund provides the money necessary for these nascent ideas to mature. In addition, the links to the Partner Institutes means that the successful applicants can access the facilities and expertise of Moredun Research Institute, the Institute for Animal Health and the Roslin Foundation and the facilities of the Pentlands Science Parrk.
How to Apply
In the first instance contact the Orphans Project Manager, James Sinfield for an informal discussion regarding application.
James can be contacted:
Tel: 0131 445 6105
Mob: 0777 137 3513
or via email: james.sinfield@genecombio.com
The application form for the Orphans fund can be found at the bottom of this page.
Project Assessment
Applications for funding are assessed by a Steering Committee, currently (August 2009), Professor Willie Donachie, Deputy Director, Moredun Research Institute, Dr. Keith Winton, Independent Venture Capital & Private Equity Professional, Malcolm Bateman, CEO Roslin Foundation and Dr. Patrick McCarthy, CEO, Genecom Ltd. In assessing a project, the panel generally looks for whether the applicant has demonstrated that the project is likely to have an economic impact in Scotland, whether the partner Institutes can demonstrate that a collaboration enhances or develops their capacity to exploit their science and technology potential and whether the project is technically feasible, regardless of the risk involved.
Goals and Aims of the Orphans Project Fund
Throughout the three year of the lifespan of the Orphans Project, it has the following aims and goals:
- To support 75 enterprises
- To support 10 research networks and collaborations
- To support 5 renewable energy projects
- To support the development of 30 new products or services
- To increase the turnover of supported enterprises by £3m
- To create 30 new jobs
Guidance on State Aid
Orphans Application Form
Guidelines for applicants