Entrepreneurial Futures

Nurturing, embedding and accelerating an entrepreneurial culture in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
Isles of scilly
Project title: Entrepreneurial Futures. Nurturing, embedding and accelerating an entrepreneurial culture in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly: an agile approach from higher and further education providers 
Funding amount and duration: £5.6 million, 2024 – 2025 
University of Plymouth PI: Professor Will Blake 
Location: Cornwall & Isles of Scilly (IoS), UK 
Project partners: University of Plymouth, University of Exeter (lead), Falmouth University, Duchy College 

We are proud to be involved in the Entrepreneurial Futures project, a cornerstone of regional development and innovation aimed at empowering Cornwall & IoS businesses and communities. By fostering transdisciplinary research collaboration, we harness diverse academic expertise to tackle the intricate challenges of entrepreneurship in rapidly evolving markets. Through practical applications and real-world impact, we pave the way for local businesses to navigate and flourish in dynamic landscapes, ultimately benefiting both communities and industries.

Will BlakeWill Blake
Professor of Catchment Science, Director of the Sustainable Earth Institute

 
Entrepreneurial Futures logo resized

Entrepreneurial Futures 

Entrepreneurial Futures is a programme of RD&I activity for the benefit of Cornwall & IoS businesses and communities, aligning to the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda and Good Growth priorities. 
It will facilitate networking opportunities and foster collaboration between entrepreneurs, local businesses, academic institutions, and government organisations to create a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurship. 
Focusing on major research priorities for the region, the programme will include sector support in the following strands with expertise from Plymouth. 
 

Our project strands

Sustainability Hub Net Zero

Offshore wind turbine for sustainable energy production. Clean Energy

Agri-Tech Cornwall Automated Brassica Harvesting in Cornwall (ABC) project (1280x720) Agri-robotics

Immersive Vision Theatre Immersive Technologies

Coastal communities Coastal Communities

 
To collaborate and for further information about University of Plymouth’s Entrepreneurial Futures project, please contact Hannah Irwin, Strategic Projects Manager.

Across the wider project partnership

The multi-faceted programme covers other major research priorities:
  • Geo-resources
  • Robotics/Automation
  • Agri-food
  • Biodiversity
  • Business Circularity
In support of an entrepreneurial ecosystem, it will establish:
  • an environmental living laboratory at Duchy College that will enable businesses, communities, academia, and learners to explore different technologies, products, services, and processes used in environmental land management
  • a pioneering geotracer facility at University of Exeter to trace river/marine pollution, land contamination, and groundwater sources – a capability opening up new areas of development and innovation that can be tackled in-county.
Research Foundation projects will aim to address fundamental issues associated with entrepreneurial growth in Cornwall & IoS – identifying root cause and potential solutions, and providing advice to government and policy makers. Specifically,
  • University of Plymouth’s work on coastal communities
  • University of Exeter focusing on localised digital skills mapping and labour market and housing issues.
Support for Cornwall & IoS-based businesses and organisations
Full details of the support and opportunities available will be published soon. These will include:
  • academic/research time
  • access to world-class facilities to assist with business-led RD&I projects
  • internship opportunities to assist with a specific RD&I project  
  • workshops and dissemination events to actively engage and support enterprise and innovation.
 

Plymouth project team

 

Project partners