For 50 years, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) have been at the forefront of innovation, forging dynamic collaborations between forward-thinking businesses and leading academics. These partnerships extend beyond theory, to provide tangible results, driving growth and transforming business.
Each KTP project is bespoke to address the specific innovation challenges and needs of the business. A highly qualified graduate or postgraduate (the Associate) is embedded within the company supported by a dedicated academic team. Imagine a business struggling to implement new technology or develop a ground-breaking product or service. This unique three-way partnership leverages cutting-edge research and expertise to implement innovative solutions that deliver real-world commercial impact.
Jointly funded by Innovate UK and the business partner, KTPs offer a transformative opportunity for businesses of all sizes. They empower companies to:
- Develop innovative products, services, and processes that disrupt markets, capture new customers, and boost competitiveness
- Streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency, leading to improved profitability and sustainable growth
- Access cutting-edge expertise and facilities that would otherwise be out of reach, providing a crucial competitive edge
- Develop the skills of a highly qualified graduate or postgraduate, providing them with invaluable practical experience while contributing to the UK economy.
A Proven Track Record of Success
For 50 years, KTPs have been a catalyst for business success, driving productivity, profitability, and job creation across the UK. The numbers speak for themselves: between 2010-2020, KTPs โgenerated over ยฃ2 billion for the UK economy. Today, they continue to fuel innovation, supporting around 800 businesses and nurturing the careers of over 850 talented graduates. These aren’t just statistics; they represent real businesses thriving, new technologies emerging, and a brighter future for the UK economy. KTPs are more than partnerships; they are investments in innovation, driving growth and shaping the future.
Surrey Enterprise Hub KTP team: delivering excellence
The University of Surrey boasts a track record in supporting KTPs. With a 12-year, 100% success rate in KTP applications, the Surrey Enterprise Hubโs KTP team is committed to excellence in delivering collaborative research and innovation. They provide comprehensive support to businesses, ensuring a smooth journey from project inception to successful completion.ย
Proven success stories through diverse KTPs:
The Surrey Enterprise Hub’s latest KTP project is with Butternut Box, a certified B Corp company specialising in producing Fresh, human-quality dog food. In collaboration with experts from the Universityโs School of Veterinary Medicine, the team will seek to scientifically prove the nutritional benefits of Fresh dog food, driving category growth and market share. David Nolan, co-founder of Butternut Box and Surrey alumnus, said
โAt Butternut, we’re proud to invest in and support non-invasive research. In recent years, we’ve focused on demonstrating the health benefits of feeding Fresh, as well as broader issues like weight management and fussy eating behaviour. All our findings are made public on our Research Hub at ButternutBox.com. Weโre excited to collaborate with the KTP and the University of Surrey in this ground-breaking study, which we hope will illustrate the transformative power of Fresh over traditional diets.”
In a previous successful partnership with William Medcalf Ltd, a renowned Vintage Bentley automotive engineering business, researchers from the Surrey Business School and the School of Engineering, collaborated with the company to redesign their supply chain and incorporate new technologies into its automative processes. This transformation led to business expansion, restructuring, and creating new roles.
Prof James Aitken, lead academic on the project, brought 30 yearsโ worth of experience in research and industry to the project:
โItโs not just my academic credentials, itโs my business knowledge, โฆ that is helping the business explore different avenues and different market opportunities.โ
Another success story involved partnering with scientific and medical instrument manufacturer, Thermo Fisher Scientific. The team leveraged the expertise of the Universityโs Advanced Technology Institute and Department of Mechanical Engineering, to develop a novel application of the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) depth profiling.
Richard White, Director of Application Development at Thermo Fisher Scientific, said a KTP is invaluable for,
โtransferring some understanding, or innovation, or an idea thatโs currently in an academic environment โฆ into industry,โ and using that to โdevelop a new product or change an existing product to give new benefits.โ
The KTP project resulted in a new patented instrument and a lasting partnership between Thermo Fisher Scientific and the University.
To find out more about the benefits of a KTP, visit: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/innovation/funding/knowledge-transfer-partnerships or contact the University of Surreyโs Surrey Enterprise Hub KTP Manager, Dan Bance, at collaborate@surrey.ac.uk
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