Engineering entrepreneur Xmoor's founder secures accolade from the Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Fellowship
University of Southampton Alumnus Wins Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Fellowship
Oscar Festa, co-founder of Xmoor, has been awarded an Enterprise Fellowship by the Royal Academy of Engineering. Festa is one of several alumni from the University of Southampton to receive this prestigious fellowship, joining the ranks of Iris Kramer, Ryan Beal, Federico Romei, and Henry Harrod.
The Royal Academy of Engineering, one of the UK's four national academies, focuses on promoting excellence in engineering. This fellowship is a critical step in the move towards net zero, as it supports innovative engineering and technology projects with the potential to make a significant impact.
Xmoor, formerly Instamoor, utilizes innovative proprietary software tools to provide concept screening for floating offshore wind moorings. These tools offer significant cost savings, more efficient designs, and enable customers to focus on 'real engineering'. Festa has expressed gratitude for the support received from the Academy following his win.
The University of Southampton is open to offers of support from individuals or investors looking to back founders changing the world for good. Those interested can email the university at [email protected]. The university's team is also available for initial informal chats for those interested in applying for a future RAEng Enterprise Fellowship.
To apply for the Enterprise Fellowship, individuals must submit an application detailing their entrepreneurial project or technology innovation, demonstrating their capacity for leadership and business development. The application process involves a detailed business plan, including the innovation’s market potential, competitive advantage, and a roadmap for commercial exploitation.
Applicants must also demonstrate previous or potential entrepreneurial experience and leadership capability. The programme duration is often one to two years, supported financially by the Academy to allow reduced working hours to focus on business development. Host organization support may be needed, especially if currently employed or linked with a university or research institution.
Assessment involves peer review by experts who evaluate the innovation’s technical and commercial potential alongside the entrepreneur’s leadership qualities. Selection is competitive and may include interview stages or presentations.
For precise application instructions and eligibility for the Enterprise Fellowship, visiting the official Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub site or contacting their support team is recommended.
In addition, Alice Iles, Head of Tech Acceleration, has expressed support for Festa and Xmoor, and mentioned a strong record of supporting successful applications for the RAEng Enterprise Fellowship. The Enterprise Fellowship provides a foundation for future growth for Xmoor.
Shortlisted candidates for the Enterprise Fellowship pitch for the fellowship. Notably, Festa recently gained follow-on funding from the Innovation-to-Commercialisation of University Research (ICURe) program.
The Enterprise Fellowship is awarded to the most promising entrepreneurial engineers in the UK and overseas. It is a specialized fellowship that has been successful in supporting aspiring founders from the University of Southampton.
- The Enterprise Fellowship, which focuses on supporting innovative engineering and technology projects, is a critical step towards the move towards net zero.
- Xmoor's proprietary software tools, which provide concept screening for floating offshore wind moorings, offer significant cost savings and more efficient designs.
- Individuals interested in applying for the Enterprise Fellowship must submit an application detailing their entrepreneurial project or technology innovation, demonstrating their capacity for leadership and business development.
- The University of Southampton's team is available for initial informal chats for those interested in applying for a future RAEng Enterprise Fellowship.
- The Enterprise Fellowship provides a foundation for future growth for innovative businesses in education-and-self-development, technology, finance, business, and research sectors.
