Tom Blount Email and Phone Number

First executive Director of the Lincoln Science and Innovation Park;Overseen growth of estate from start-up to 13,500m2;Created phased development Masterplan with associated 30-year business plan;Delivered Phase 1 and commenced Phase II;Oversaw design, financing, construction and operation of £6.8m Technology Centre;Oversaw design, financing, construction and operation of £6.6m secure R&D facility;Acquired 6.5 acres of Phase II land and oversaw significant remediation and infrastructure works;Developed startegic partnerships with NHS, Local Authorities and signifcant supply chains.

Work with companies to prepare them to pitch to angels.Manage the induction of new investors.Shepherd investments from pitching to closing.Establishing new syndicates in North Staffordshire, the Black Country, Worcester. In two years since 2010, Minerva investors have placed c.£3m into new enterprises and levered in a further £4.5m from third party investors.

Manage physical and virtual incubator activities at UWSP.Work with 30+ novel techology businesses per annum as coach and advisor.Manage Business Development for UWSP (bids include ERDF, Business Link, RGF).

Fund Principal of the £7m Advantage Proof of Concept Fund.Managed a team of 14 across 4 sites to market, deliver andReviewed 1000+ novel technologies and innovative business propositions. Worked closely with 6 universities and hundreds of entrepreneurs.Led due diligence on all propositions (financial, personnel, technical, IPR etc).Funded 200+ propositions including 25 University spin-outs, 25 pre-spin-out projects and 150+ SMEs. Leveraged in £10m+ of external investment.Built recognized best practice for Proof of Principle Schemes.

Part of Connect Midlands’ senior management team.Developing and incubating new business projects including new commercial product offerings and leading on bidding opportunities;Leading European Commission innovation consultancy projects on behalf of the University of Warwick (recognised by the EC as a an expert on regional innovation systems) including work with Moscow State University, Bulgarian and Polish regional/national governments.Designed and delivered SME Strategic Consultancy project for East Midlands Development Agency with Warwick Business School, working with 100+ SMEs and achieving 90%+ customer satisfaction.

Project managing the operational elements of the Investment Readiness Programme, InvoRed;Leading strategic consultancy projects with a portfolio of 127 innovative businesses seeking finance ranging from pre-start to c.£8m t/o; these went on to raise c. £25m+ of equity based investment to date;Preparing business plans, financial projections and instructing the work of a number of senior consultants;Working with the VC and Angel community to identify opportunities and broker introductions;InvoRed exceeded all contracted targets, was delivered to budget and was recognised as best in breed in independent reports by SQW Consultants, recommended by Angle Technology and identified as European best practice by PROTON Europe. Programme achieved 95%+ satisfaction from hundreds of participants.