James Dyson Foundation Patent & Proof of Concept Fund

This fund, generously provided by the James Dyson Foundation, aims to provide support for students and recent entrepreneurial graduates of the RCA to turn their innovative designs / inventions into successful commercial projects. It has arisen out of a recognition that it is very hard to progress designs and attract licence deals or investment for very early stage (embryonic projects). Funds will be provided to help:

• Patent / protect innovative projects with strong commercialisation potential which are technically feasible
• Help with the early stage development of projects - to bring a product to market or become more attractive to investors. Funding may be used to bring in specialists, develop design-led projects or market feasibility

Criteria for Selection

The criteria for selection for funding are:

• Strong commercial potential and financial viability
• Technical feasibility
• Innovation and novelty (potential to be protectable by patent design / design rights)

An Evergreen Fund

This support is intended to help graduates get to a stage at which they should be more successful at attracting other sources of funding or in managing to start selling product and generating returns. This fund was set up to be an 'evergreen' fund. This means that we hope to recycle the money we provide to entrepreneurial students/alumni today back into the fund at a later date in order to help the next generation of designers / inventors.

Application process

• There is no deadline for applications
• A panel will be responsible for assessement of applications
• We will work with successful applicants to establish realistic milestones to progress the project and we will sign an agreement with the applicant regarding the use of the funds and payback

Contact innovation@rca.ac.uk for more information and an application form.