The 1st Edition of “reSHAPE: Investing in Impact at Scale”

On November 4th, we held the first annual reSHAPE event in collaboration with the Aspect Network, Aspect Angels and the British Academy to celebrate pioneering ventures across the Socials Sciences, Arts and Humanities. We are extremely grateful to all the SHAPE (Social sciences, Humanities and Arts for People and the Economy) entrepreneurs that have shared their groundbreaking work with us and the passionate investors and stakeholders that have joined the first edition of reSHAPE. 

The reSHAPE Aftermovie 2022

George Freeman MP, Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, opened the event with an inspiring speech on harnessing SHAPE alongside STEM research to achieve a genuine innovation economy and create a more prosperous, healthy and secure society. He also emphasised the importance of supporting more academics to launch ventures alongside their academic careers and connecting international talent and VC capital to the UK’s thriving SHAPE ventures. 

George Freeman MP opening speech

The Fireside Chats

In intimate fireside chats, we were able to learn directly from successful SHAPE entrepreneurs and get to know their journey and innovative work. Atif Ansar introduced his venture OxCarbon, which provides scientifically verified carbon offsets using satellite monitoring and aims to create positive climate impact through the support of innovation and academic enquiry. Ruth Daniels explained how In Place of War uses artistic creativity in places of conflict as a tool for positive change, for example by creating cultural spaces in areas of upheaval and by providing education and training in artistic development and enterprise.

Fireside chat with Ruth Daniels

We also heard from Fenella Boyle and learned more about how her venture Versed AI applies cutting-edge academic research to solve real-world supply chain problems by using AI to manage risk. Gianpaolo Fusari from the ARC 2021 Cohort introduced OnTrack Rehab, a new digital rehabilitation platform that pairs wearable technology with clinical expertise to support patients in the management of their recovery after stroke. Next, Laura White told us about Parenting for Lifelong Health, a charitable social enterprise that makes evidence-based parenting support available to parents everywhere and aims to prevent violence against children and improve child learning, health and wellbeing.

Fireside chat with Gianpaolo Fusari

The Panel Sessions

The event had three fantastic panel sessions. The first panel focused on how to shape business and society and featured Robin Smale from Vivid Economics, Jamie Coates from Wise Responder Inc and Warren Hatch from Good Judgment Inc. The panellists of the second session discussed how to create the ideal innovation ecosystem for SHAPE researchers. They included Melanie Knetsch from the ESRC, Hetan Shah from the British Academy and Ed Hughes from Research England. The last panel session on the finance needed to deliver SHAPE ventures was led by Alex Hook from NESTA, Deepesh Thakrar from OakNorth and Francesco Valente from the Global Innovation Fund. 

Panel session with Melanie Knetsch, Hetan Shah and Ed Hughes

Lightning Pitches by Emerging Ventures

Our lightning pitches featured five past ARCers from our 2020, 2021 and 2022 Cohort and were followed by a public vote on the best pitch. William Short presented his venture Senseful AI, a new semantic search engine that allows you to search text by concepts and by conceptual relations. Next, Jess Brown from EQUAL In-Sight talked about their work as a cross-disciplinary enterprise that utilises a range of approaches to propose novel and enhanced mechanisms to strengthen equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives.

The third pitch by Mina Chiang introduced the Humanity Research Consultancy, which aims to end modern slavery by using a systems approach with an emphasis on local representation. After that, Chris Gilson presented The State of the States, an online subscription service platform covering the United States with the aim to increase awareness of state and local policy issues. It also tries to improve policymaking by connecting US state and local government policymakers with evidence on best practice. The fifth pitch by Michela Tinelli showcased her venture Care Quality Evaluation, a decision support platform that offers a scalable solution to the challenges faced by those delivering care interventions. 

A huge congratulations to Mina Chiang for winning the public vote and taking home the £1,000 prize for her pitch for the Humanity Research Consultancy!

Lightning pitches by 5 past ARCers

Pitch prize winner Mina Chiang

The SHAPE Changemakers Lounge

Our changemakers lounge featured the Aspect Angels, a new Angel network for SHAPE, the business-builder Zinc as well as Impact 12, a social venture collaboration across 12 universities working to support mission-driven businesses. During breaks from panel sessions and fireside chats, the SHAPE changemakers lounge offered the perfect opportunity for networking and led to some great connections.

A comfy corner in the SHAPE changemakers lounge

Break in the SHAPE changemakers lounge

Our 1st reSHAPE Newspaper

Take a look at the first edition of our reSHAPE newspaper to learn more about the innovative social science entrepreneurs and ventures that were featured during the reSHAPE showcase event!

The reSHAPE newspaper

All photos by Josh Caius.