Beyza Binnie, an international MSc Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology graduate, was always keen to pursue a career in technology transfer. Now working as an IE & Commercialisation Manager at the University of Strathclyde, Bezya collaborates with members of the academic and research community to identify and review opportunities for commercialisation.
She supports inventors with new business formation, legal frameworks, shareholder agreements and sourcing funding. She actively guides academics through external funding opportunities including ICURe programmes, High Growth initiatives, and Innovate UK applications, helping them to commercialise their research. Additionally, she works on building long-term industry relationships to create sustainable collaboration opportunities.
Her choice in degree and University was, as she notes, instrumental in being successful upon graduation:
The focal point for entrepreneurial education at Strathclyde is not just about how to build your own business but also how to run your business, how to evaluate your growth strategy, how to manage human capital, how to handle figures and investments and, most importantly, how to be a good leader for your business. It also focuses on intrapreneurial activities and the skills needed to adapt and respond to changing environments – to be resilient and ready for anything that life throws at you!
Reflecting on her success in gaining her role as IE & Commercialisation Manager, Bezya highlights that it was not only her degree but her overall entrepreneurial education experience at Strathclyde that provided her with both the skillset and the technical knowledge required to be successful. As a Masters student, Beyza took the opportunity to get involved in a number of entrepreneurial extracurricular activities and went on her own spin-out journey, co-founding oral health technologies company REMORIS with an academic researcher. This helped Beyza gain hands-on experience in securing public funding, running a business, and attracting investment—all while navigating the patent process. This experience gives her a unique perspective on both academic and entrepreneurial challenges.
Beyza credits both her degree and these experiences at Strathclyde in giving her real-life examples to use in interview and providing a unique opportunity to build her professional network. Providing insight into her journey at Strathclyde, she says:
My advice for anyone wishing to set themselves apart from other graduates is to talk to as many people as possible. Get involved in the culture and experiences that Strathclyde can offer. Get out of your comfort zone. Say yes to new things. Be open to possibilities and your untapped potential – you never know who you might meet and what skills you’ll gain!
With over 10 years experience in commercialisation, Beyza has now earned the Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP) accreditation, reinforcing her expertise in the field. She continues to share this knowledge by running workshops and IP training sessions to equip academics with the skills to engage effectively with industry and commercialise their work.
