Universities offer so much more to a thriving innovation ecosystem than through the commercialisation of their research. They also contribute four important resources that help businesses (especially micro and small firms) to innovate and scale up.
This includes knowledge from around the world that can transform business process, services or products, skilled and adaptable employees to drive innovation from within, routes to finance to allow businesses to take scale-up risks and new physical spaces where they can grow.
The case studies below demonstrate some of the innovation activities our universities offer in their local regions and cities.
You can read our full report Creating innovative regions: The role of universities in local growth and productivity here.
Access to finance
Nottingham Trent University: Helping more than 2,000 businesses boost their innovation
NTU is to receive a share of £10.1 million in European funding…
Access to finance
UWE Bristol: Collaborating on the development of driverless cars
Revolutionising mobility needs of older adults…
Space
Liverpool John Moores University: New innovation centre set to transform sensor applications across the world
Sensor City will bring together knowledge and experience…
Space
University of Salford: Salford Energy House provides unique testing asset for research
Only full-scale brick-built test facility in a controlled environment in the world…
Space
UWE Bristol: Pioneering one of the first University Enterprise Zones
Will provide a business ‘hatchery’, incubation and grow on space…
Space
University of Lincoln: Creating a new hub for education, innovation and investment in high-tech industries
Addressing historic skill shortages and creating new opportunities for investment…
Talent
Teesside University: DigitalCity Fellowships helps fledging businesses to survive
Fellows given support with living costs while developing their products or businesses…
Talent
University of Hertfordshire: Helping student entrepreneurs see the bigger picture
Support for student businesses encouraged Greg McClarnon to expand his company…
Talent
Nottingham Trent University: Nurturing early development of students and graduates’ businesses
The Hive is a purpose-built centre for entrepreneurship and enterprise at NTU…
Talent
University of South Wales: Welsh Financial Services employers supporting young graduates
Collaborative two-year full-time programme of work, training and academic study…
Talent
Kingston University: Helping design graduate launch successful international artisan homeware company
Kingston University supports up to 15 graduates each year by awarding them entrepreneur visas…
Transformative knowledge
University of Huddersfield: Institute of Railway Research securing future of our rail services
The Institute of Railway Research carries out innovative, world-leading research…
Transformative knowledge
Plymouth University: Knowledge exchange forum creates opportunities for businesses to ‘crowdspeak’ and collaborate
Dynamic online forum for academics and businesses allows members to exchange knowledge…
Transformative knowledge
Kingston University: Unlocking the secrets of entrepreneurs’ renewable energy success
Transformative knowledge
Oxford Brookes University: Collaborating on the world’s first 3D printed and bamboo bicycle
Building the world’s first ever bamboo and 3D printed lugs bicycle at London’s Design Museum…
Transformative knowledge
University of Greenwich: Bringing the humble emergency exit sign into the 21st century
