Zinc
Zinc builds companies that tackle important societal challenges. Its programmes bring together 50 entrepreneurs to build new products and services from scratch. Each programme has a specific ‘mission’ (e.g. ‘to improve the quality of later life’), and is supported by a network of world-leading experts (e.g. in research, technology, business, and creative design). Zinc’s top priority is to accelerate the impact of social science. Zinc is financially backed by the LSE, and proud to be part of the Aspect network.

Member Resources

6 June 2023
Programme to support mid-career researchers with venture engagement for professional development
This is a report about the Zinc Mid-Career Researcher Innovation Safari 2022. It explains how mid-career researchers have fewer opportunities than ECRs to explore developmental routes outside academia, which leads to limitations of opportunities for professional and personal development.

30 May 2023
Zinc offers an Innovation Internships scheme for PhD students to learn about early-stage innovation within placements in start-ups
This is a detailed report available to Aspect members about Zinc’s offerings of the Aspect-funded Innovation Internships scheme that supports students from both disciplines, SHAPE and STEM, for three-month placements outside academia, with mission-focused start-ups to gain commercial experience.

30 September 2021
Social Science Commercialisation Case Studies
Sharing insights and examples that inspire social science commercialisation.

27 September 2021
Zinc Case Studies
Case studies demonstrating some of the partnerships between Zinc ventures and universities.

26 January 2021
Tackling taboos through research in ventures
Supporting start-ups working on taboo topics, in ageing and wider aspects of health.

21 January 2021
Catalysing Innovation Funding for Healthy Ageing
An event report from Tim Shakespeare, Research and Innovation Design Manager at Zinc.

17 December 2020
Invitation for social scientists to apply ideas for later life innovation
Q&A with UKRI’s Huw Vasey on the Healthy Ageing Catalyst Awards, run in partnership with Zinc

11 December 2020
Bringing startups and social science together for later life innovation
Tim Shakespeare highlights the key points from Zinc’s new report on innovation and healthy ageing

22 October 2020
Webinar recording: The case for working in start-ups
Early career social scientists: The case for working in start-ups