Meet The Programme Team
Over the years, the Programme Team observed a shared pattern across many regions: there is no shortage of talent, ideas, or entrepreneurial drive. While innovation is already taking place, there was a clear need for a structured, collaborative approach to align these efforts with broader regional goals.
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This inspired the creation of the Innovation Policy Ignition Programme designed to bring together policymakers, academics, entrepreneurs, and investors to co-develop focused, action-oriented plans. The Programme helps regions strengthen collaboration, build capacity, and unlock their full innovation potential.
Scholar-practitioner with 20 years of experience in global corporations. Focused on entrepreneurial ecosystems and innovation management, with a strong interest in bridging academia and industry. Start-up mentor and non-executive board member supporting strategic growth and governance.
Research interests include entrepreneurship education, technology ventures, and entrepreneurial behaviour. His Imperial College Business School MBA course in entrepreneurship was ranked 3rd in the world by the Financial Times. Holds several non-executive directorships and have advised over 100 technology startups.
Meet Our Mentors
IPIP Regional Teams are supported by a distinguished group of international academic leaders and practitioners. Their expertise spans entrepreneurship, innovation, organisational transformation, and cross-sector collaboration. Together, they strengthen the intellectual backbone of the programme and provide strategic guidance throughout the IPIP journey.
A strategy advisor, educator, and author specialising in new venture creation, intrapreneurship, business innovation, and firm performance. He has launched ventures in France and internationally and champions experiential, challenge-based learning. He currently serves as Director of the MSc in Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship at emlyon business school.
A research leader translating languages, cultures, and complexity across technological contexts. With more than 15 years of experience bridging academia and industry, she brings cultural insights to projects spanning 30+ countries, with particular depth in Japan and Asia. She is a board member of EPIC (epicpeople.org) and holds a PhD in Asian Languages & Cultures from UCLA.
Dr. Calvin brings extensive experience with global organisations including Fannie Mae, DaimlerChrysler, GE, Verizon, the World Bank, and government agencies. His expertise spans change management, leadership, organisational and community development. He serves on the boards of IACD and PYXERA Global, supporting cross-sector initiatives across more than 100 countries worldwide.
His research focuses on open and user innovation, technology management, and technology transfer. Peter serves as a deep tech venture coach for scientists at CERN, DLR, and Fraunhofer. He is currently building AIChemyLabs, helping founders move from idea to venture plan in hours rather than months. He is bridging rigorous innovation research with hands-on venture building at the frontier of science and technology.
With over 18 years of experience in the Cambridge innovation ecosystem, Max designs and leads technology, entrepreneurship, and executive education programmes across multiple University departments and colleges. Actively engaged in deeptech competitions and venture initiatives, he supports founders as advisor, venture scout, and ecosystem connector across the UK and Europe.
Meet the Programme Advisory Group
The Advisory Group offers strategic input and guidance to the ongoing development of the Innovation Policy Ignition Programme (IPIP) and consists of Hughes Hall Fellows and external stakeholders with a wide range of expertise aligned with the IPIP mission.
