---
title: "(NU/1433-32) mignon.ai: Commercialisation of university research through provision of management skills to assist in successful spin-out company creation"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-413be814-af25-4425-bd50-d21f245a9e47"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-413be814-af25-4425-bd50-d21f245a9e47"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-413be814-af25-4425-bd50-d21f245a9e47.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-413be814-af25-4425-bd50-d21f245a9e47.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY"
published: "2022-07-08"
---

# (NU/1433-32) mignon.ai: Commercialisation of university research through provision of management skills to assist in successful spin-out company creation

Buyer: NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-413be814-af25-4425-bd50-d21f245a9e47

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## Summary

The procurement process involves Newcastle University, which is seeking to commercialise its university research through the establishment of a spin-out company named mignon.ai focused on developing a novel AI microchip architecture. This tender, titled "(NU/1433-32) mignon.ai: Commercialisation of university research through provision of management skills to assist in successful spin-out company creation," is classified under the industry category of business and management consultancy. The tender was awarded on 4 July 2022 and is set to run from 6 July 2022 to 31 October 2022. The procurement method used is selective, specifically a restricted procedure, with a total contract value of £29,040. 

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses, particularly those with expertise in business consultancy and management, as Newcastle University seeks an experienced executive to guide the spin-out process and secure venture capital funding. Companies specialising in business planning, company formation, and financial management would be well-suited to compete, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can provide tailored support for innovative technology ventures. This is a chance for businesses to play a pivotal role in bringing cutting-edge AI technologies to market while benefiting from a strategic partnership with a leading educational institution.

## Notice

Newcastle University have developed a novel Artificial Intelligence (AI) microchip architecture which is uniquely underpinned by logic-based AI. The microchip named mignon was fabricated in early 2021 and this work was led by Dr Rishad Shafik and Professor Alex Yakovlev of the Microsystems Group, School of Engineering at Newcastle University. The aim is to create a Fabless IP based spin-out company mignon.ai which will market and sell the design of customised hardware devices and semiconductor electronics systems all based on the mignon microchip. The company mignon.ai will develop and design the microchips and supply codes to clients to enable the synthesising of microchip, where all manufacturing of hardware will be outsourced. The team requires an experienced and appropriate business executive to progress this opportunity. The initial brief of the executive will be to: (1) Produce a viable 5 year business plan; (2) Obtain university approval for the venture; (3) a. Act for the company in the spin-out legal process and address all company formation matters; b. Obtain founder academics' and Newcastle University (including the Head of Company Creation) approval for appointment as CEO. c. Provide to the appropriate university all matters necessary for Research England reporting requirements; (4) Secure (venture capital and other) funding Stage (5) will produce the funds by which the new start-up company can consider employing the executive going forward. It is expected, and the intent of the scheme, that the Executive will remain with the business following the end of the contract period. However, such appointment will be at the discretion of the board and appropriate university and will be subject to confirmation, typically at Stage 4 above.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1cd67800-320c-48cd-b0b9-28f88cef1def |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Restricted procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 8 Jul 2022 |
| Submission deadline | 10 May 2022 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 3 Jul 2022 |
| Contract period | 5 Jul 2022 - 31 Oct 2022 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £30,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £29,040 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY |
| Locality | NEWCASTLE |
| Post town | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Postcode | NE1 7RU |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC43 Tyneside |
| Local authority | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Electoral ward | Monument |
| Westminster constituency | Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | CAMBRIDGE FUTURE TECH |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

## Release History

- 8 Jul 2022 at 08:42 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1cd67800-320c-48cd-b0b9-28f88cef1def

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1cd67800-320c-48cd-b0b9-28f88cef1def
  8th July 2022 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## Notice URLs

- https://www.ncl.ac.uk

## Provenance

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