Start-Up: A Practical Guide to Starting and Running a New Business

This guide for aspiring entrepreneurs provides expert advice on every aspect of launching a new business. It is designed to be of particular value for academics wishing to exploit the commercial value of a new technology or business solution. Inspiring and readable, it shows how to evaluate the strength of a business idea, how to protect inventions, reviews legal steps and responsibilities, shows how to position products in the market, how to create a business plan and raise initial capital. Case studies, exercises and tips demystify the process of starting a business, build confidence and greatly increase the chances of success.

Before setting up his own management consultancy business, Hi Consulting, in 2002, Tom Harris was a lecturer and led an academic research group in a top ranked university department, then spun-out a medical device company which went on to win awards for product innovation. Tom’s current business supports and monitors funded R&D collaborations and assists start-up and developing businesses develop, grow and export.