Neil Ferguson

Neil Ferguson

Head of Student Entrepreneurship

Galway Metropolitan Area
2K followers 500+ connections

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About

As the Head of Entrepreneurial Development at IdeasLab, I am dedicated to creating effective and memorable training programs for students, staff, and partners. By utilizing customer-journey analysis, human-centered design, and data-based approaches, I ensure that our programs are tailored to meet the needs of our participants. I am a firm believer in experiential learning, where individuals learn by doing and having fun. My main focus is on helping students develop empathy skills, understand customer needs and pain points, and then use that information to identify and solve problems. We use a wide variety of tools to ideate solutions and test them out with low-fidelity prototypes. Storytelling is a crucial part of the process, as it helps to convey the problem and solution in a compelling manner. At IdeasLab, we are committed to developing life-long skills and preparing our students for their next steps, whatever they may be.

Activity

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Experience

  • University of Galway

    University of Galway

    6 years 9 months

    • University of Galway Graphic

      Head of Entrepreneurial Development IdeasLab

      University of Galway

      - Present 3 years 2 months

      Galway, County Galway, Ireland

    • National University of Ireland, Galway Graphic

      LaunchPad Programme Manager

      National University of Ireland, Galway

      - 3 years 10 months

      County Galway, Ireland

      The Blackstone LaunchPad (BLP) International programme is focused on incubating and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs through inspiring and supporting students and alumni in the development of business ideas from concept to business launch. The programme provides resources, one-on-one coaching, access to networks of advisors, and a place where undergraduate entrepreneur can find other like-minded students.

      My responsibilities include; mentoring, coaching and advising…

      The Blackstone LaunchPad (BLP) International programme is focused on incubating and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs through inspiring and supporting students and alumni in the development of business ideas from concept to business launch. The programme provides resources, one-on-one coaching, access to networks of advisors, and a place where undergraduate entrepreneur can find other like-minded students.

      My responsibilities include; mentoring, coaching and advising students; developing a network of experienced business leaders and entrepreneurs who can serve as program coaches to the undergraduate entrepreneurs; and contributing towards the development of programmes that support the BLP and NUI Galway ethos.

  • Industry Programme and Business Development Manager

    Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM)

    - 2 years 9 months

    National University of Ireland Galway

    The Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM) is a national research centre funded by Science Foundation Ireland. CÚRAM's objective is to radically improve health outcomes for patients by developing innovative implantable medical devices. Devices will be developed with strong clinical collaborations, with industry partners and hospital groups, to enable rapid translation to the clinic. 
     
    My responsibilities include:

    • Responsible for the operational, research and development…

    The Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM) is a national research centre funded by Science Foundation Ireland. CÚRAM's objective is to radically improve health outcomes for patients by developing innovative implantable medical devices. Devices will be developed with strong clinical collaborations, with industry partners and hospital groups, to enable rapid translation to the clinic. 
     
    My responsibilities include:

    • Responsible for the operational, research and development requirements of collaborative research projects with industry partners
     
    • Provide support to industry and academic partners to drive commercialisation; guide research activity towards commercially relevant outcomes and to develop investor ready technologies

  • NUI Galway Graphic

    Commercialisation Manager and Acting Director

    NUI Galway

    - 11 years 4 months

    Technology Transfer Office, NUI, Galway 

    Responsibilities and Achievements
     
    • Provided leadership and vision to a team of high performing commercialisation executives in the field of life sciences, ICT, engineering and industrial products
    • Introduced and lead implementation of strategic initiatives and change management programs designed to improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations at the TTO
    • Managed the financial performance of the TTO in an increasingly constrained environment, requiring innovative programs…

    Responsibilities and Achievements
     
    • Provided leadership and vision to a team of high performing commercialisation executives in the field of life sciences, ICT, engineering and industrial products
    • Introduced and lead implementation of strategic initiatives and change management programs designed to improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations at the TTO
    • Managed the financial performance of the TTO in an increasingly constrained environment, requiring innovative programs to maximise impact
    • Developed relationships with national and international industry, business, entrepreneurs, angels and venture capitalists. These relationships resulted in ongoing evaluation, research and licence agreements with both multinational and local companies
    • Overseen the operation of the University’s Business Innovation Centres, providing an environment for innovation, entrepreneurship and new business growth, supporting ICT, engineering, biomedical, biotechnology and services start-up companies
    • Introduced TTO Entrepreneur in Residence Programme which has successfully generated two NUI Galway spinouts with an investment of €0.75M
    • Generated 17 start-up companies that exploit university technology
    • Represented University’s interests as a member of the Board of Directors on NUI Galway Spin Outs
    • Structured and negotiated complex shareholder, license and consortium agreements as well as R&D collaborative agreements with industry. Personally responsible for execution of over 100 such agreements
    • Negotiated and successfully implemented a Mayo Clinic, NUI Galway, and Enterprise Ireland agreement where intellectual property from the Mayo Clinic was transferred to Galway to be commercialised
    • Negotiated and executed over 70 option and licence agreements which have the potential to generate €10M+ in license income over the next 5-6 years

  • Business Development

    Mayo Clinic Ventures

    - 7 months

    Rochester, Minnesota Area

    Mayo Clinic Ventures is charged with commercialising Mayo Clinic's intellectual property. This experience has provided me with an unique insight of how best to commercialise medical devices on a global stage.
     
    Responsibilities and Achievements
     
    • Worked closely with both the licensing and business development teams in identifying and developing technologies for the benefit of patients worldwide while generating revenue to support clinical practice, research and education at Mayo…

    Mayo Clinic Ventures is charged with commercialising Mayo Clinic's intellectual property. This experience has provided me with an unique insight of how best to commercialise medical devices on a global stage.
     
    Responsibilities and Achievements
     
    • Worked closely with both the licensing and business development teams in identifying and developing technologies for the benefit of patients worldwide while generating revenue to support clinical practice, research and education at Mayo Clinic
    • Initiated the Mayo Clinic - Bio Innovate Programme
    • Assisted in the execution of the Enterprise Ireland – Mayo Clinic fund valued at $16M. This fund supports the co-development and licensing of novel medical technologies developed at Mayo Clinic U.S. into Ireland where they will be commercialised
    • Gained a unique insight of how best to commercialise medical devices on a global stage

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