Experts-in-Residence
Looking for subject-specific advice? We’ve got more than 30 experts from every corner of the startup world. From IP to legal, design to investment, whatever your need or knowledge gap, we've got the right expert for you. Find out moreWhat’s Experts-in-Residence?
The question ought to be – Who are the experts in residence?
And the answer is a group of advisors with tons of real-life startup experience ready to pass on their knowledge, answer your questions and help you develop your understanding and confidence. Here are the main subject areas our experts cover:
- Idea Development
- Legal & Compliance
- Pitching & Selling
- Marketing & Communication
- People Management
Who is it for?
Experts-in-Residence is available to all Imperial College students and alumni (provided you have graduated within the last three years), but you need to have attended an Idea Surgery and shown us that you’d benefit from some expert advice to take your idea or business forward.
Some subjects will only be useful at a specific stage of your startup’s development. For example, most businesses need legal and IP expert advice at a very early stage, but PR and Sales can wait until you’re further along your journey.
To be eligible for Experts-in-Residence you must:
Be an Imperial College student or alum (must’ve graduated within the last three years) with a business idea
Have recently attended an Idea Surgery and received approval for coaching or advice
Have demonstrated that you’d benefit from expert advice in a specific area
How do they work?
Experts-in-Residence sessions are one-to-one sessions (that’s you/you and your team) where we pair you up with an expert who can help you with a specific objective or problem, or give you some advice to help broaden your knowledge.
Once we’ve identified that you’d benefit from meeting an expert or several experts, we’ll email you with details of their availability so you can book your slot. You’ll also need to provide a short explanation of what you’d specifically like help with. Once we’ve received your booking, we’ll email you confirming your slot, so you know you’re good to go.
Sessions are generally 30-45 minutes long and are totally confidential.
When do sessions happen?
We run sessions throughout the academic year.
Meet the experts
Idea Development
Commercialisation Expert-in-Residence Rune has spent most of his career working in commercially focused roles bringing new software and hardware products to market at Google. In 2016 he established and led the European part of the Ex-Googler community Xoogler.co which supports former Google employees on their entrepreneurial journeys. Artifical Intelligence Expert-in-Residence Tech Commercialisation Expert-in-Residence Digital Product Development Expert-in-Residence Product Expert-in-Residence Bryan is an experienced product developer with a passion for sports and has worked as an R&D consultant for 100+ sporting goods brands. He's now a multiple business owner, and guides students through the product development process from concept to production, including the go-to-market strategy. Design Expert-in-Residence
Rune Betien
Andrew Burgess
Gaurav Chawla
Dave Fletcher
Brian Roberts
Emma Sexton
Legal & Compliance
IP Expert-in Residence Legal Expert-in-Residence Justin is a partner in the law firm Osborne Clarke, one of the leading legal advisers for companies started up and spun out from UK universities. Justin leads our “Tech Transfer” team and has advised more than 40 ICL spin outs over 10+ years. He's also a mentor on the Imperial Venture Mentoring Service. IP Expert-in-Residence IP Expert-in-Residence Jack works across a wide range of technology areas within the broad subject areas of physics, engineering, materials science and electronics. Jack has gained particular experience working on inventions within the fields of telecoms, photonics and electronic devices.
Jeremy Holmes
Justin Starling
Iain Russell
Jack Severs
Pitching & Selling
Pitch Coach-in-Residence Lisa has successfully raised capital and helped other founders succeed through her venture – ZebraFarm, a startup skills platform. She is also a coach and guest lecturer at Imperial and the Royal College of Art, and has helped many founders create a winning pitch by putting story-telling at the heart of their bids. Pitch Coach-in-Residence Sales & Negotiations Expert-in-Residence Negotiation Consultant with 15 years of experience with Forbes’ finest and startups alike. Devon has closed more than $5 billion of commercial contracts and brings this experience to entrepreneurs and founders focused on securing strong commercial results without sacrificing relationships.
Lisa Makarova
Byron McCaughey
Devon Smiley
Marketing & Communication
Email Marketing Expert-in-Residence PR Expert-in-Residence Marketing Expert-in-Residence
Sonal Dack
Tom Green
Iain Hunter
People Management
Team Building Expert-in Residence Team Building Expert-in-Residence Team Management Expert-in-Residence Callum Adamson is a Cofounder at Distributed; a platform that uses AI to help businesses manage teams remotely, so they are happy, engaged and productive. He has also led teams at BMI, The Digital Property Group and Reading Room in his career. 
Braham Djidjelli
Carl Coddington
Callum Adamson
FAQs
How is Experts-in-Residence different to an Idea Surgery?
Experts-in-Residence sessions are more formal one-to-one sessions (one individual or a team). We have up to 3 teams at an Idea Surgery, and they’re more informal to give you the chance to chat with your fellow entrepreneurs, share ideas and learn from one another’s experiences.
How is Experts-in-Residence different to Business Coaching?
The Experts-in-Residence sessions focus on a specific area of your business idea or plan, whereas the Business Coaching sessions are more about conducting a comprehensive review of your idea and helping you put a business plan together.
Are Experts-in-Residence sessions one-to-one?
Yes, it’s just you and your team (if applicable).
Are Experts-in-Residence sessions confidential?
Yes. All our experts will work with you in the strictest confidence.
How long are the sessions?
The duration of sessions will vary from expert-to-expert but will be between 30 and 45 minutes.
Can I book more than one session?
Yes you can. In fact, we may encourage you to if you’ve demonstrated a need for additional help in a specific area, or with a particular expert. We always supply guidance when we release session details, so do check that before booking. We also recommend that you read the instructions we provide you with ahead of your first session. All sessions are subject to demand/availability but don’t worry if we can’t fit you in, we’ll add you to the waiting list.
I attended an Idea Surgery last year. Can I book an Expert-in-Residence slot?
If we approved you to have sessions with an expert last year and you’re still working on the same idea, you can continue to book slots as before. You’re also welcome to book an Idea Surgery, so we can catch up on your progress and make sure that you’re making the most of all the opportunities on offer at the Lab.
If you’re working on a new business idea, you’ll need to book an Idea Surgery before you can book future Expert-in-Residence sessions.
I've completed one of the Enterprise Lab programmes. Am I eligible for Experts-in-Residence?
Yes! Anyone that has completed an E-Lab programm (VCC, WE Innovate, Discovery Fund or Summer Accelerator) automatically becomes eligible for Experts-in-Residence.
I’ve booked a session but can’t make it now what do I do?
Please cancel your session via your Calendly booking and email us at: v.nicholl@imperial.ac.uk ASAP so that we can offer your slot to someone else.
Testimonial
“Carl and Braham are sources of knowledge and wisdom with an undying passion to share them. When it comes to team building, leadership and human relations, they definitely know what they are talking about.”
Seyed Nasrollahi, Founder, QuantumX (PhD Physics)
Need an expert?
You’ll need to book an Idea Surgery so we can help you find the right expert.
