Group for Research on Innovation and Enterprise (GRIE)

Overview

Group for Research on Innovation and Enterprise (GRIE) members publish research and develop practical insights to venture creation.

Our members are involved in progressing the evolution of:

• entrepreneurial organisations
• entrepreneurial teaching and learning environments
• networks
• regional growth

Our research on entrepreneurial graduates has led to two large grant awards from JISC, a smaller award from LloydsTSB/NACUE, leading to outputs in a range of journals and national press. 

Group members have been elected onto national bodies such as, Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship and provide advice to NACUE, which represents student-led enterprise societies and young entrepreneurs in universities and colleges across the UK.

Our members have been responsible for the spinout of two ventures - Cuppla and MyfirstMillion - both securing University and external funding from sources including:

• UHInvest
• private equity
• Technology Strategy Board

Aims of the group

The group aims to:

• develop an understanding and disseminate outputs around entrepreneurial learning and skills development in individuals, teams, organisations and clusters.
• research into the role and effectiveness of innovation and enterprise education (theory / practice).
• work alongside other schools, research centres and consulting units to enhance the University’s offer in the area of the innovation and enterprise.

Research themes

The unit’s research themes include:

• disruptive innovation and emergent business models
• value creation, development and delivery in new and existing ventures
• game-based experiential learning and skills development (ELSD)
• philosophy and future policy development of Enterprise Education
• the evolution of entrepreneurial institutions
• processes of knowledge creation, integration and transfer  

External roles

Members of GRIE have been responsible for the spinout of two ventures which have secured University and external funding:

• Cuppla
• MyfirstMillion

MyFirstMillion, which is based on the Game-based Research Strand, was shortlisted for a National Enterprise Educator Awards in 2010.

GRIE members are also involved in Research and Policy Advisory Capacity, The National Association of College and University Entrepreneurs (NACUE).

Professor Culkin is Vice-President Policy and Practice: Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Chair of Board of Trustees, Positive Strides, UK.

National and international enterprise and innovation outputs

2011

• University Incubators – Embedded or Just There? Prepared for Lloyds Corporate Banking Group, September.

2010

• Developing Excellence in Entrepreneurship – From Business Facing to Business Creating: Findings and Recommendations from the SLRM for Enterprise Students Project at the University of Hertfordshire prepared for JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee), June.
• The Establishment of the Arab Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise Development Organisation, prepared for the Economic and Social Council of the Arab League's, Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU), Kuwait, April.

2007

• Facing the Digital Future, Digital Technology and the Film Industry, Industry Report Commissioned by CfED, June [3rd Edition].