Industry-Academia Speed Networking Event
About the Event
This pilot initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic researchers and industry partners in the bioimaging field. The event will provide a structured yet informal setting for direct interactions, enabling participants to:
- Discuss specific research challenges and potential solutions
- Explore collaboration opportunities
- Network with key players in the bioimaging community
- Identify shared interests for future partnerships
Proposed Event Format
We are still finalising the exact structure of the event based on participant feedback and interests. Our current plan includes:
- A series of short, focused meetings between academic and industry participants (likely around 10 minutes each)
- Opportunities for both structured and unstructured interactions
- A networking drinks reception at 1815 for continued discussions in an informal setting
Your feedback on the Expression of Interest form will help us shape the final format to ensure it meets the needs of all participants. We welcome your suggestions on how to make these interactions most valuable for your specific interests.
As this is a pilot event, we have limited capacity to ensure quality interactions. We can accommodate around 20 participants from academia and 20 from industry. Places will be allocated based on research/business focus alignment and to ensure a diverse representation of specialties within the bioimaging field.
How to Express Your Interest
If you would like to participate, please complete this Expression of Interest form by Wednesday 7 May 2025.
Due to the limited capacity, we encourage you to submit your form as soon as possible. Successful applicants will be notified by Friday 16 May and provided with further details about the event format and schedule.
Why Participate?
This event directly addresses the need for better communication channels between academia and industry that was highlighted during recent horizon scanning discussions at a BioImagingUK meeting. It offers a unique opportunity to:
- For academics: Connect with industry partners who can support your research through technical solutions, potential funding, or collaborative projects
- For industry: Gain insights into current research challenges, identify potential markets for new technologies, and discover academic innovations with commercial potential
Future Opportunities
Based on feedback and outcomes from this pilot, we hope to organise similar events in the future, potentially expanding to include hackathons, round table discussions, and focused working groups on specific challenges in the bioimaging field.
We look forward to receiving your Expression of Interest form and potentially welcoming you to this exciting new initiative.