18 March 2013

Mhairi is a woman ahead

Picture is of Mhairi

Dr Mhairi Towler, a Graduate Enterprise Fellow from the University of Dundee and founder of Vivomotion, has been named Independent Woman of the Year at the annual Women Ahead Business Awards.

Mhairi, who has a PhD in cell biology, was working as a postdoctoral researcher at the University when she hit upon the idea of creating animations and using them in the lectures she delivered as a way of enhancing the students' learning experience.

After examining the marketplace, she decided there was an opportunity to establish a company that uses computer graphics from the entertainment industry to help academics, companies and public engagement organisations to communicate science more effectively for scientists and for a lay audience.

After undertaking an MSc Animation & Visualisation course at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design to obtain the animation skills she required, Mhairi founded Vivomotion (www.vivomotion.co.uk).

The award is given to a female director, consultant or sole trader who has the drive and ambition to create a long-term, viable business.

"I am delighted to have been recognised in the Women Ahead Awards," she said. "Starting your own business is hard work, but very rewarding as well and I hope that the success of all the women being celebrated encourages more people to realise their ambitions.

"I have now been operating for six months and have customers from academia and biotech and have already had requests for animations from those outwith the scientific arena. Animation can be used to engage an audience, be it on-line or for live presentations. I see the company growing beyond the scientific area, although this is what I want to focus on for now given my background in science."

Mhairi received support from The Enterprise Gym (TEG), a University initiative to encourage students to develop the skills, confidence and self-reliance that the next generation of entrepreneurs require. Through TEG students can access online training materials, training sessions led by members of the local business community, and a variety of other resources.

She was named as the first winner of the University of Dundee's Principal's Prize for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship and also won a Graduate Enterprise Fellowship from TEG. This scheme promotes graduate enterprise by providing private and University resources to the start-ups and spin-outs demonstrating the most commercial potential.

The winners of Fellowships receive incubator accommodation for one year, mentoring from Entrepreneur in Residence Scott Brady, while private sponsors provide a financial contribution to living costs whilst graduate enterprise ventures are rolled out.

Women Ahead was launched in 2001 to encourage, support and connect women in business and the professions in Dundee and Angus. It is an inclusive, supportive and inspirational group of women who wish to make the most of themselves, their careers and family life.

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Grant Hill
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University of Dundee
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