New Product Development (NPD) Skills Training for Bio-Innovators
At the heart of the Bio-Innovation Translation Ecosystem is a shared language of innovation. WE SPEAK NPD!
Our New Product Development (NPD) Skills Training is designed for innovators who want to understand how successful products are developed, commercialised and brought to market. Through practical sessions, you’ll gain the knowledge, tools and confidence to navigate the innovation journey from concept to commercial success.
Tailored by experts for:
- Bio-innovation founders
- R&D professionals
- Applied researchers
- Product and innovation developers
- PhD candidates
- University researchers
The training programme combines practical industry experience with real-world innovation case scenarios and implementation-focused methodologies tailored for science-driven and bio-based sectors.
Meet our NPD Academy Experts:
Bio-Innovation Translation Expert and NPD Architect
Dr Aleks Szopinska
NPD Architect | Author of the ClearGate™ NPD Frameworks | Founder of ClearGate Cambridge
Aleksandra is an NPD architect with experience spanning academia, industry and entrepreneurship. Drawing on her experience in corporate New Product Development, she has translated the established language and principles of corporate NPD into a new language of innovation, designed for researchers, founders and early-stage innovation teams.
She is the author of the ClearGate™ NPD Frameworks, which adapt proven NPD principles into flexible and practical approaches applicable to the realities of start-ups, spin-offs and academia. The frameworks retain the structure and discipline of established NPD while recognising the need for scientific exploration, agility and limited resources in entrepreneurial and research environments.
Through the ClearGate NPD Academy, Aleksandra helps researchers and founders develop translational thinking, understand industrial expectations and build a shared language with industry.
Innovation Translation and Strategy Leader in Foodtech.
Dr Adam M. Adamek
Business Case Development for technology-driven innovations
Dr Jolanta Beinaroviča
Jolanta is a Senior Consultant at Optimat with deep expertise in life sciences, industrial biotechnology, and emerging technologies. She works at the interface of science and commercial strategy, supporting clients across industry and the public sector to make informed decisions about technology development, market positioning, and innovation investment.
Her work spans techno-market research, commercial opportunity mapping, industrial sector analysis, capability assessments, as well as due diligence evaluations of business and R&D plans. She has particular experience in business case development and business planning for technology-driven innovations, helping teams translate scientific and technical progress into financially sound, investor-ready propositions.
Marketing & Communications for Innovators
Laura Curtis
Laura Curtis is the NPD Academy’s marketing and communications expert, bringing over 20 years of experience supporting startups, scale-ups and innovation-driven organisations. She shares practical strategies to help innovators develop clear positioning, strengthen their value proposition and make confident go-to-market decisions.
Laura is passionate about helping founders reduce guesswork, avoid costly marketing mistakes and build the confidence to communicate the value of their innovations effectively. She is the founder of Startup Marketing Clinic in Brussels and H&C Elevate, and has worked with organisations including EIT Food, Amcor and Fabrick Marketing.
Regulatory Expert
Sam Jennings
Sam Jennings is a regulatory expert and Director at Berry Ottaway & Associates Ltd, helping food businesses, researchers, and innovators navigate complex regulatory requirements and develop compliant products. She specialises in food supplements, functional foods, ingredients, food composition, and labelling compliance, providing regulatory support throughout product development.
Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in food technical and regulatory affairs, including working with industry, government, and international organisations on food supplement-related issues in the UK and globally, Sam combines extensive regulatory expertise with practical industry insight.
Sam provides specialist expertise in food regulatory compliance, product development, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), labelling and claims, and delivers training and workshops to support innovation and regulatory excellence.
Research and Innovation Funding Expert
Dr Robin McIntyre
Dr Robin McIntyre is an experienced innovation strategist with over 20 years of expertise in European R&D funding, innovation strategy, consortium development, and technology commercialisation. Throughout his career, he has secured several competitive public funding awards, helping businesses, research organisations, universities, and public-sector organisations access funding, develop strategic partnerships, and transform innovative ideas into commercially successful products and sustainable industrial solutions.
He is an expert in European R&D funding, Horizon Europe, the EIC Accelerator, and Innovate UK funding. His expertise also includes grant strategy and writing, consortium development, technology commercialisation, and innovation partnerships.
Startups growth support. Bridging Academia with Industry.
Antonio Iannone
Antonio Iannone is a leading voice in Italy’s AgriFood-Tech ecosystem, blending entrepreneurship, digital strategy, and academia to drive innovation in food systems.
Founder of TheFoodCons and Co-Founder of Agrifood-Tech Italia Association, he supports startups and SMEs with growth, fundraising, and strategic positioning, while shaping future innovators as Professor of AgriFood-Tech at ESCP Business School.
With deep agricultural roots and a background in food entrepreneurship, Antonio bridges tradition and technology to strengthen Italy’s role in global food innovation.
Well-being Support and Burnout Prevention for Founders and Researchers
Valeria Collu
Drawing on more than ten years of experience across fast-paced corporate environments and regulation, and having lived and studied across four countries, Valeria combines real-world insight and global perspective with accredited coaching practice.
Valeria is the Founder of Coaching Stream, an EMCC Practitioner, Certified Group and Team Coach, Emotions Coaching Practitioner, Strengthscope® Practitioner, and Mental Health First Aider.
NPD Academy Training Scope:
Introduction to New Product Development (NPD)
User & Customer-Centred Innovation & Design Thinking
Value Proposition & Business Case Development
Building Strong Product Foundations
NPD Frameworks: A Guided Path from Idea to Market
Project Management in New Product Development
Marketing and Communication with Industry, Investors and Stakeholders
Regulatory awareness for Bio-innovators
From Theory to Practice - Case Studies Analysis
Mental Health and Stress Management for Innovators
Knowledge, Skills and Confidence Attendees Will Gain
- A comprehensive understanding of the New Product Development (NPD) process and its application within the bio-innovation sector.
- The ability to identify user needs and apply customer-centred innovation and Design Thinking principles.
- Practical skills to build strong product foundations and develop market-focused solutions.
- An understanding of structured NPD frameworks to guide innovations from idea to market.
- Knowledge of project management tools that support efficient product development.
- The ability to develop compelling value propositions and robust business cases.
- Greater confidence in communicating innovations to industry partners, investors and key stakeholders.
- Awareness of regulatory considerations relevant to bio-innovation products.
- Practical insights gained through real-world case study analysis.
- Strategies for maintaining resilience, wellbeing and effective decision-making throughout the innovation journey.