GRID for You: Industry Open Day & Mixer

GRID for You: Industry Open Day & Mixer

Thursday 8 October 2026

Advanced Research Centre, University of Glasgow

Registration: 2:30pm

Main Event Programme: 3:00–5.15pm

Networking Drinks & Bites: 5.15-6:30pm

GRID is a district of invention and reinvention, anchored by a Top 100 University - the University of Glasgow - and bringing together pioneering research, ambitious businesses, new ideas, culture and communities.

One of Scotland’s largest and most ambitious innovation districts, GRID brings research, enterprise, industry and communities together to create new opportunities. Powered by the University of Glasgow, Glasgow City Council and Scottish Enterprise, the district is advancing rapidly, with major new facilities, growing enterprise activity and increasing investment - and is now beginning to demonstrate significant economic, innovation and community impact.

From first idea to what comes next, GRID brings together what innovation needs to grow: investment, space, expertise, talent, skills, funding and connections.

Join us for GRID for You, an afternoon bringing together businesses, entrepreneurial researchers, founders and experts from across the innovation ecosystem to discover what’s here, what’s possible and how you can connect.

Agenda

2:30–3:00pm | Arrival & Registration

Tea, coffee and informal networking.

3:00–3:15pm | Innovation With Impact (Opening Keynote)

Uzma Khan, Chief Operating Officer & Vice Principal for Innovation & Economic Development, University of Glasgow

3:15–3:30pm | GRID Overview

Liam Middleton, Director of Economic Development, University of Glasgow & Dr Susie Mitchell, Head of GRID, University of Glasgow

3:30–4:00pm | Session 1: Unlocking Industry-Ready Talent (Panel Session)

Chair: Sarah Armour, Assistant Director, Student Services, University of Glasgow

• Iain Stewart, Director, FreeToBook
• Kirsty Scott, Head of Network Data & Intelligence, Scottish Power Energy Networks
• Dr Ana De Silva Costa, Lecturer and Programme Director MSc Science Communications, University of Glasgow
• Mark Downie, Creative Director, IWC Media
• Frankie Barrett, Group Manager, Employment & Strategy – Economic Development, Glasgow City Council (Launch of Talent Lab)

The talent you need. The skills your industry demands. The connections to make it happen. Discover how GRID can help employers shape, access and grow industry-ready talent through placements, partnerships and learning designed around the real needs of business. Hear inspiring case studies from SPEN, UofG/BBC Studios and FreeToBook on how they’re building stronger connections between industry, education and the next generation of talent. We will also officially launch GRID Talent Lab in this session - a bold new place-based Modern Apprenticeship programme connecting young people in GRID with employers creating the tech, ideas and creative solutions of tomorrow.

4:00–4:30pm | Session 2: Spaces & Support (Panel Session)

Chair: Dr Duncan Booker, Group Manager (Green Economy, Innovation & International), Glasgow City Council

• Dominic Dowling, Group Manager, Business Growth, Glasgow City Council
• Nicola Anderson, Director of Scaling Innovation, Scottish Enterprise
• Dave Pollock, Senior Industry Engagement Manager, College of Science & Engineering, University of Glasgow
• Dr Rhonda Wheate, Director of Programme Management & Communications Mentor, Smart Things Accelerator Centre
• Bayile Adeoti, Managing Director, Dechomai

Got an idea? Need space to grow? Looking for the right expertise, funding or facilities? Hear from the people who can help - with practical advice and connections to the expertise, spaces, facilities and funding available across GRID to help you experiment, innovate, build, grow and scale..

4:30–4:55pm | Session 3: Industry Spotlight — Founder Stories

Chair: Pauline McKay, Professor of Robert Burns Studies and Cultural Heritage. Director - Centre for Robert Burns Studies; Founding Co-Director - RIG (Realities & Immersion Glasgow); University of Glasgow. CCO - Infinite Muse.

Meet the founders and innovators turning research and ideas into businesses:

• Rebecca Clearly, CTO & Co-Founder, NAMI Surgical
• Dr Patrick Gunning, Co-Founder, Entourage AI
• Dr Jack Brennan, CEO, Quantcore
• Dr Ruth McLaughlin, Programme Director for Living Lab (MVLS Innovation Engagement & Enterprise), University of Glasgow

Hear the stories behind ambitious University-linked companies - from ultrasonic surgical robotics and AI-powered health technologies to quantum hardware - and what it takes to move from research and first idea to commercialisation and growth.

Ruth will also showcase the growing SME cluster within the Clinical Innovation Zone, highlighting how the HealthTech Innovation & Translation Lab and Health Innovation Hub are key assets in growing and scaling health tech businesses, while helping translate health innovations into real-world settings.

4:55–5:15pm | Closing Remarks

Professor Andy Schofield, Principal & Vice-Chancellor, University of Glasgow

A closing reflection on the role of place, partnership and innovation in shaping what comes next for GRID and Glasgow.

5:15–6:30pm | GRID for You — Exhibitions & Networking Drinks

GRID for You is for:

• SMEs and scaling businesses
• Start-up founders and spinouts
• Entrepreneurial researchers and innovators
• Innovation, R&D and business development leaders
• Industry partners seeking collaboration
• Ecosystem support practitioners

From first idea to what comes next, GRID brings together what innovation needs to grow. Join us and see what GRID can do for you.

Meet the people | Explore the opportunities | Connect with GRID