Ulster University Business School (UUBS) has welcomed Mary McKenna MBE as the first-ever recipient of a Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR) Fellowship at the University. This prestigious appointment is also only the third of its kind in Northern Ireland.
Mary, a well-known tech entrepreneur and angel investor is one of only 15 new EiRs joining the Royal Society this year, underscoring her exceptional contributions to innovation, investment, and female entrepreneurship.
Originally from Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, she is a visiting Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Oxford and was named European Female Business Angel of the Year and UK Business Angels Association UK Angel of the Year in 2023/24.
As part of her EiR role, Mary will work closely with academics, students, and potential company founders at UUBS to help translate research into commercial opportunities. With over 10,000 students and 200 staff members, UUBS is a leading centre for entrepreneurial education and was ranked first in Northern Ireland for research excellence in Business and Management (REF 2021).
Professor Sandra Moffett, Professor of Business Analytics at Ulster University Business School, said:
"We look forward to welcoming Mary to the Ulster University Business School, where she will have so much to offer our students. Her extensive experience in innovation and investment will not only amplify their learning experience but also provide them with the skills, knowledge, and networks to transform ideas into tangible impact.
"Mary brings invaluable industry insights and perspectives that will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. We are committed to fostering an entrepreneurial mindset that enables talent to thrive, and her leadership will help drive new opportunities for collaboration, commercialisation, and growth across Northern Ireland’s business ecosystem."
Commenting on her appointment, Mary McKenna MBE said:
"To have been chosen as an Entrepreneur in Residence by the Royal Society and the first at Ulster University is an incredible honour. Having spent many years advocating for entrepreneurship, women founders, angel investing, and innovation, this is an exciting new opportunity to support Ulster University’s talented researchers and students in bridging the gap between academia and industry. I look forward to helping foster new spinouts and inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland."
Clare McGee, CEO and Co-Founder of AwakenHub and AwakenAngels, added:
"Mary’s appointment as a Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence at Ulster University is a huge win for the entrepreneurial landscape across Northern Ireland and beyond. Her leadership and mentoring have a profound impact on women founders and early-stage businesses, and this new role will enable her to extend her expertise to an even wider audience."
The Royal Society’s Entrepreneur in Residence scheme strengthens academic-industry connections, ensuring that scientific discoveries translate into real-world impact. By placing experienced entrepreneurs in research institutions, the programme fosters innovation, mentorship, and commercial expertise, helping to drive the UK’s innovation ecosystem forward.
