¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ innovation and enterprise hub launch inspires collaboration
Researchers, businesses and innovation leaders came together in the Bellairs Theatre on Wednesday 10 December for the successful launch of the ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ Innovation and Enterprise Hub.
Driving innovation through collaboration
The event brought together representatives from government, local authorities and businesses, with academics, students and alumni, reflecting the breadth of ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½'s innovation ecosystem.
Following a welcome from , Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, the Head of Innovation and Impact, , launched and explored the ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ Innovation and Enterprise Hub.
Attendees then gained valuable insights from Innovate UK on strategy, funding priorities, and support available from , Innovate UK Manager, London & South East, , Knowledge Transfer Manager, Emerging Tech and Industries, and , Head of Innovation and Growth, Innovate UK Business Connect.
The discussion
Next, , Innovation Advisor, led a festive celebration of business-led collaboration, featuring soundbites from Photography Based Therapeutics, Starpal.AI (Atom Stars), Plastecowood, and Ionoptika.
Dr , Senior Knowledge Transfer Advisor, Innovate UK Business Connect, showcased the talent behind Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, with the help of four KTP Associates: , Therme, , Butternut Box, Dr , Givaudan, and , Cycle Confident.
The spotlight then shone on consultancy, with , Lecturer in Life Cycle Assessment, before provided an overview of commercialisation through Innovate ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ Ltd, the University's technology transfer office. , Associate Professor in Chemical and Process Engineering, led us through her spinout journey as Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Mantisonix.
In the final session, , Student Enterprise Manager, and , Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Edibl / The UK Insect Company, demonstrated the contribution of student and graduate innovators to ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½â€™s wider innovation ecosystem.
The afternoon brought together the innovation showcase, networking lunch, a KTP workshop and one-to-one clinics with our innovation, technology transfer and student engagement experts.
A sustainable protein Christmas cupcake (see pic below) was developed for the event through a collaboration between the ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ Lakeside Restaurant and the ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ Innovation & Enterprise Hub, along with alumni innovator Geoff Knott (Edibl), providing a practical demonstration of applied innovation. The insect-protein, gluten-free formulation highlighted real-world product design considerations, while a seasonal festive finish added a timely and informal talking point during networking.
Reflecting on the event, Jenny Ritchie, Head of Innovation and Impact, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people come together for the launch of the ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ Innovation and Enterprise Hub. The room was buzzing with conversations, new connections, and exciting opportunities for future collaboration – a combination that made the day a real success.â€
To find out more about the ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ Innovation and Enterprise Hub, please contact collaborate@surrey.ac.uk .
