Second Mile is a network of highly skilled entrepreneurial managers who work with leading researchers and investors to put new technology ventures on the road to success.
We are experienced at operating in the start-up environment and understand the approach required to build value in seed stage businesses. Between us we have over 100 years of startup management experience.
Richard spent his early career in product development at Ford and has led start-ups in the cleantech, automotive, communications, defence and software sectors. He founded Second Mile and leads the team in the development and growth of new technology ventures.
Richard is a chartered Mechanical Engineer and has an MBA from IESE business school in Barcelona. He is also a Sainsbury’s Management Fellow.
Charles Martin has more than 20 years experience in the IT & Telecoms industries. Charles has worked nationally and internationally with blue chip multinationals such as D&B and Vodafone, high growth companies such as Psion, and a range of technology start-ups. He leads the sales operation with Second Mile.
Charles has been awarded a B.Commerce degree, Chartered Marketer status, the CIM Diploma in Marketing, an MBA from Cranfield and an MSc in Business Computing from Westminster University.
Claire Aikman has worked in a variety of roles since starting out as a bi-lingual secretary in the City including running a presentation centre for a large US investment bank, working internationally as an IT trainer and for an early-stage sector headhunter in a marketing and business development capacity.
Claire leads the day to day operation of Second Mile and is responsible for the infrastructure that supports our entrepreneurs.
Our partners are all senior level executives with direct and successful experience of leading startup businesses. They have raised capital and sold businesses. Between them they have over 100 years of new venture experience. They have created over 20 new businesses. They have first rate track record.
Their backgrounds span all industries. As Second Mile Partners, they bring a team approach to their work. Their aim is to make your venture success for everyone involved.
Second Mile’s entrepreneurs are supported by a capable project management and administration team. They are the backbone of Second Mile’s operation, allowing our entrepreneurs to focus on what’s important.
Claire Fisher has worked in Finance in the premium cosmetics, marine and telecoms sectors and more recently has worked for a variety of organisations providing event management, recruitment, customer care and other business support services.
Second Mile works with technology creators seeking to get a new venture off the ground. We have worked with corporate technology creators, universities and independent inventors. Each of these requires a different approach.
Second Mile provides the complete set of management skills to turn technology-based ideas into commercial success. Whether it be exploiting a dormant asset, breaking the deadlocks to get your invention to market, or helping your business innovate in the face of market and investor demands, Second Mile can work with you.
We are based in the UK but undertake work in Europe and the United States. Between us we speak all the major European languages.
Second Mile has deep technical and commercial expertise in electronics. We have practical experience in low and high power systems, wireless and antenna, and mobile phone handset technologies. Our people have built startups through to exit in the field and subsequently acquired by blue chip companies.
Second Mile people have worked in oil & gas, in fuel cells and in solar and wave technologies. We understand the structure and economics of the industry and have a solid working knowledge of the available technologies.
We can help you develop your route to market strategy, raise capital and grow your business in the energy sector.
Engineering is at the core of Second Mile. We have worked in Automotive, Aerospace, Steel, and capital plant sectors. Our people have worked in Ford, BHP Billiton, BAE, Avon Rubber and others. We know how manufacturing businesses work. We understand product development disciplines.
We have the skills to take your concept through to series production, either as a new venture or through licensing and partnerships.
Second Mile people have led businesses across the environmental sector. We have direct experience of clean water, new energy and low carbon technologies. We have strong links to funders and grant bodies in the field and wide international links.
We are able to assess new technologies, develop route to market strategies, raise capital and support them through commercialisation.
Second Mile has extensive experience in the healthcare sector. Our people have backgrounds in pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology fields, and have taken healthcare technologies to market in areas including immunotherapy, anti-cancer treatments and DNA testing.
We are experienced in building companies towards exit and our people have led several healthcare businesses through to successful exit.
Our experience includes business and strategic business unit leadership combining strategy, sales, marketing, channel development, product development and operations, to surpass both long term and short term objectives.
We have the new business attitude and knowledge along with the experience of dealing with big business.
Second Mile has senior level experience in the telecoms field, both in the hardware and software dimensions. They have worked with major firms including Vodafone, Orange, RIM and Handspring.
Second Mile people have led university spinouts from Warwick, Aston, Southampton and Oxford universities and worked in technology transfer offices including UCL and Kings College. We understand the challenges and potential of academic IP and the stakeholder relationships involved. We are able to provide services from mentoring through to full startup leadership team across a range of technology domains.
