The aptly named ‘Venture’ will bring together corporate organisations and leading Cabot Institute academics to solve environmental and risk-based problems.

The internal launch event is the culmination of over a year of development and establishes a unique opportunity for large organisations seeking solutions to the big societal challenges.

Venture will focus on the topical themes of risk and resilience, future cities and communities, and low carbon energy. Members will develop alliances around common interest areas whilst benefitting from dedicated relationship management, a service that will personalise the programme to meet organisational needs.

Professor Rich Pancost, Director of the Cabot Institute, said “This new group will bring together academics, corporate partners and other organisations. It will build stronger links between the Cabot Institute academic community and our key partners but it will also be an environment for developing new ideas. It will be a forum for vibrant discussion, a showcase for emerging developments and a platform for new collaboration.”

Today’s launch will feature some of the Cabot Institute’s leading academics, with expertise in topics ranging from the resilience of energy infrastructure to volcanic and climatic hazards, cities as integrated social, physical and digital systems and the co-production of resilience with local communities. All share a desire for even stronger and more sustained external partnerships.

Professor Nishan Canagarajah, Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Bristol, said: “The University of Bristol is deeply committed to ensuring its research has a meaningful impact to industry, government and society. Venture is an innovative programme that exemplifies this work and has the full support of the University.”

The launch will also discuss the opportunities presented by Bristol’s status as European Green Capital 2015 and one of the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities.