Topic Hub: KE Awards

The University of the Arts London (UAL) has developed a pioneering approach to strengthening knowledge exchange (KE) culture through a dedicated programme of professional development. Designed specifically for an arts-based institution, the initiative brings together training, mentoring, networking and career development opportunities to support staff at every stage of their KE journey. By creating a coherent and accessible framework for development, UAL has embedded KE more deeply across its colleges and institutes while enabling staff to build skills, confidence and connections.

Background and Team

In 2024/25, UAL’s Research and Knowledge Exchange Staff Development (RKE-SD) team transformed a collection of standalone and pilot initiatives into a centralised KE Staff Development Programme. Led by Jane Shepard, Head of Research and Knowledge Exchange Staff Development, the team worked to create a joined-up offer tailored to the needs of a creative and practice-based institution.

The programme aligns with UAL’s Knowledge Exchange Strategy and builds on existing frameworks, including the KE Academic Career Pathway and a newly developed KE Professional Services Career Framework. Together, these provide a clear structure for staff development across academic, professional services and technical roles.

The Challenge

Knowledge exchange activity at UAL spans a wide range of disciplines, practices and career pathways. While many successful initiatives already existed, they were often delivered independently, making it difficult for staff to identify development opportunities or understand how they related to their long-term career progression.

The challenge was to create a more coordinated approach that would support individuals across different job families, encourage collaboration between colleges and help embed knowledge exchange as a recognised and valued part of university life.

Approach and Delivery

The resulting KE Staff Development Programme brought together seven annual schemes alongside a programme of open workshops, creating a comprehensive professional development offer. At the heart of the programme is the KE Career Planner, introduced in 2024 to help staff identify goals, recognise transferable skills and explore future development opportunities.

A range of complementary activities support this ambition. These include the KE Mentorship Programme, which connects colleagues from different job families and career stages; the KE Secondment Scheme, which enables staff to build external partnerships through focused placements; and the KE Open Workshop Programme, which has expanded significantly in recent years.

The programme also includes the KE Community Platform, KE Conversations, the KE Networking and Event Fund, and the annual KE Staff Awards. Together, these initiatives create opportunities for learning, sharing practice, celebrating success and building professional networks both within and beyond the university.

Impact

The programme has significantly increased engagement with knowledge exchange across UAL. During 2024/25, more than 680 staff participated in Research and KE development activities, representing the highest level of engagement achieved to date. Participation spans academic, professional services and technical staff, helping to build a shared understanding of KE throughout the institution.

The KE Mentorship Programme has connected 75 mentors and mentees, fostering cross-college relationships and supporting career development. Meanwhile, the KE Secondment Scheme has enabled staff to develop external partnerships and gain valuable experience, with evaluations highlighting its role in supporting career progression and leadership opportunities.

The initiative has also strengthened visibility and recognition of KE activity. In 2024, the KE Staff Awards received 46 entries and celebrated achievements across the university, helping to raise awareness of innovative projects and inspire future activity.

Continuous improvement has been another important outcome. By moving event tracking and reporting into the university’s HR system, the team has developed a richer understanding of engagement patterns and participation across different staff groups. This data-driven approach has enabled activities to be refined and adapted in response to feedback, improving both reach and effectiveness.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Inclusivity is embedded within the programme’s design and governance. An Advisory Group representing staff from different colleges, institutes and job families helps shape priorities and ensures that opportunities remain accessible to a diverse range of participants.

Initiatives such as KE Conversations create space for open discussion around important topics including equity, consent and community-centred practice, while mentoring and networking opportunities help broaden participation and support staff from a range of backgrounds and career stages.

Looking Ahead

UAL continues to build on the success of the KE Staff Development Programme, using participant feedback and engagement data to refine and expand its offer. The university aims to further strengthen KE culture by increasing opportunities for collaboration, supporting career progression and ensuring knowledge exchange is recognised as a core part of professional practice.

As the programme evolves, it provides a model for how targeted professional development can embed knowledge exchange across an institution while supporting staff to build meaningful partnerships and deliver wider impact.

KE Awards Recognition

Improving KE Culture Through a Programme of Professional Development was named the winner of the Advancing KE Culture category at the KE Awards 2025, recognising the University of the Arts London’s commitment to creating a thriving environment for knowledge exchange.

Through a coordinated programme of mentoring, training, networking and career development, UAL has strengthened engagement across the institution, supported professional growth and created new opportunities for collaboration.

By embedding knowledge exchange into everyday practice and providing staff with the tools to develop their skills and partnerships, the university has demonstrated how investment in people can create lasting cultural change and enhance the impact of KE across the organisation.

Watch their award-winning video entry below:

Inspired by this project?
The KE Awards celebrate outstanding knowledge exchange from across the sector. Explore the award categories, discover past winners and find out how to submit your own entry on the KE Awards page.

Entropyst is a prospective University of Strathclyde spin-out developing a novel approach to clean hydrogen production. Due to launch in November 2026, the company will commercialise HyWand, a patent-pending pyrolysis reactor designed to produce low-cost hydrogen alongside high-value carbon nanotubes (CNTs). By addressing the challenge of decarbonising hydrogen production while creating value from carbon, Entropyst will help accelerate the transition to a cleaner energy future.

Background and Team

Entropyst emerged from research within the University of Strathclyde’s Department of Chemical and Process Engineering. The company is led by founder and CEO Dr Arash Badakhsh, alongside a multidisciplinary team with expertise spanning hydrogen innovation, reactor engineering, commercial development and stakeholder engagement. Together, the team is working to take the HyWand technology from laboratory research to industrial-scale deployment.

Entropyst has gained significant recognition within the innovation and clean energy sectors. The company was selected for the TechX Clean Energy Accelerator and Scottish Enterprise’s High-Growth Spinout Programme, won both the University of Strathclyde’s Stephen Young Entrepreneurship Award and Inspire100 People’s Choice Award; represented the UK as a finalist at the EU Startups Summit 2025 and most recently was recognised as Scottish Technology Startup of the Year at the 2026 Scotland Startup Award.

The Challenge

Hydrogen is widely recognised as a key component of the transition to a low-carbon economy, yet existing production methods present significant challenges. Conventional hydrogen production remains highly carbon intensive, while alternative approaches can be costly, energy intensive and difficult to scale.

Entropyst sets out to develop a more efficient solution that could reduce emissions, lower production costs and enable wider adoption of clean hydrogen technologies. The challenge is not only technical but also commercial: creating a scalable business model capable of delivering both environmental and economic value.

Approach and Delivery

At the heart of Entropyst’s innovation is HyWand, a modular pyrolysis reactor that converts methane or ammonia into hydrogen while capturing carbon in the form of valuable carbon nanotubes. Developed through research led by Dr Arash Badakhsh, the technology uses Joule heating of catalyst-coated carbon fibres to achieve high conversion efficiencies while directly producing CNTs as a co-product.

The technology offers a compact alternative to conventional hydrogen production methods, with the potential to be up to 94% smaller than electrolysers delivering comparable output. Entropyst is pursuing a build-own-operate deployment model while also exploring opportunities across onsite hydrogen production, gas blending and flare gas valorisation. Discussions are underway with commercial partners in sectors including composites, batteries and electrical cables for the use of carbon nanotubes generated by the process.

Since October 2024, the company has secured more than £250,000 in knowledge exchange funding and is currently raising a £2 million seed investment round to support the development of a 100 kW pilot system and progress towards TRL6.

Impact

Entropyst has already demonstrated significant commercial momentum. The company has grown from a single founder to a team of five skilled professionals and intends to create more than 20 additional jobs by 2027. Its combination of low-cost hydrogen production and high-value carbon nanotube generation creates opportunities across multi-billion-pound clean energy and advanced materials markets.

The technology also has the potential to strengthen the UK’s position in the growing hydrogen economy. Its scalable design supports rapid deployment and licensing opportunities while helping create a domestic supply chain for both low-carbon hydrogen and advanced carbon materials.

Beyond its economic potential, Entropyst aims to increase access to affordable clean energy through decentralised hydrogen production. By enabling hydrogen generation closer to where it is needed, the technology can improve energy resilience and support a more inclusive transition to net zero. The company actively engages with stakeholders across industry, academia and the wider innovation ecosystem to ensure knowledge exchange remains central to its growth.

Environmentally, the impact could be substantial. The technology has applications in decarbonising hydrogen production, steel manufacturing, electricity generation and industrial carbon use. If deployed at scale, Entropyst believes its approach could make a significant contribution towards reducing global greenhouse gas emissions while supporting cleaner industrial processes.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

EDI is embedded within Entropyst’s culture and growth strategy. Currently, 60% of the team, including members of the leadership group, come from underrepresented backgrounds. The company has adopted inclusive recruitment practices and is committed to creating equitable opportunities as it scales.

Through engagement with academic, industrial and public communities, Entropyst actively seeks diverse perspectives that can inform future development. As the company grows, it plans to formalise policies around inclusive recruitment, mentoring and leadership representation to ensure diversity remains a core strength of the business.

Looking Ahead

Entropyst is focused on scaling its technology from prototype to pilot deployment and establishing itself as a leading supplier of clean hydrogen and ammonia reactor technology. The next phase includes securing investment, advancing technical development and delivering a 100 kW pilot system with industry partners.

Looking further ahead, the company aims to support the UK’s ambitions to become a clean energy leader by enabling low-cost hydrogen production, industrial decarbonisation and new export opportunities. Through continued innovation and commercial growth, Entropyst is seeking to demonstrate how university research can be transformed into a globally impactful clean energy business.

KE Awards Recognition

Entropyst was named the winner of the Commercialisation Initiative category at the KE Awards 2025, recognising its success in translating innovative university research into a commercially viable solution with significant market potential.

By combining cutting-edge hydrogen technology with a clear commercial strategy, Entropyst demonstrates how knowledge exchange can accelerate innovation, create new economic opportunities and deliver solutions to global sustainability challenges.

From securing investment and industry recognition to progressing towards pilot deployment, Entropyst exemplifies the power of university spin-outs to transform research excellence into real-world impact.

Watch their award-winning video entry below:

Inspired by this project?
The KE Awards celebrate outstanding knowledge exchange from across the sector. Explore the award categories, discover past winners and find out how to submit your own entry on the KE Awards page.

HyDEX (Hydrogen Development & Knowledge Exchange) has brought together universities, businesses, policymakers and industry leaders to accelerate the development of a hydrogen economy across the Midlands. Led by Keele University and the Energy Research Accelerator (ERA), the initiative was established to help position the region at the forefront of the UK’s transition to net zero while creating the skills, partnerships and infrastructure needed to support long-term growth.

Background and Team

HyDEX was a £4.99 million UKRI-funded initiative led by Keele University in partnership with the seven Energy Research Accelerator universities: Aston, Birmingham, Cranfield, Keele, Loughborough, Nottingham and Warwick. Bringing together more than 40 industrial partners, alongside local authorities, regional stakeholders and international collaborators, the initiative created a powerful ecosystem focused on advancing hydrogen technologies and their adoption across the Midlands.

Major industry partners included organisations such as JCB, Toyota, EDF, Uniper and Cadent, alongside numerous SMEs. Through a shared commitment to innovation and knowledge exchange, partners worked together to explore business models, demonstrate new technologies and address barriers to hydrogen deployment.

The Challenge

Hydrogen has a critical role to play in achieving the UK’s net-zero ambitions, yet significant challenges remain around infrastructure, skills development, business adoption and market readiness. When HyDEX was established, the UK hydrogen sector was still emerging, creating a need for coordinated action to bridge the gap between research, industry and policy.

The challenge was not simply technological. It required bringing together multiple stakeholders to develop practical solutions, support businesses, build workforce capabilities and create the conditions for a thriving hydrogen economy. HyDEX was created to address these challenges and accelerate the Midlands’ position as a leader in hydrogen innovation.

Approach and Delivery

HyDEX adopted a collaborative approach, combining research excellence with industry engagement and policy development. Demonstration facilities across partner universities provided opportunities to test hydrogen production, storage and application technologies, creating valuable pathways for business innovation and adoption.

Skills development formed a central part of the initiative. Activities ranged from school engagement programmes such as the Hydrogen Grand Prix to doctoral and postdoctoral training through C-DICE and industrial skills development through the Hydrogen School. The initiative also helped secure the EPSRC-funded EnerHy Centre for Doctoral Training, ensuring long-term capability building for the sector.

Business engagement was supported through the Hydrogen and Net Zero Business Network (HORN), which attracts more than 100 participants to its regular meetings. HyDEX also coordinated major collaborative bids, including H2GV Mids and proposals for a European Hydrogen Valley and a National Centre for Low Carbon Fuels.

Alongside technical innovation, the initiative produced influential policy outputs, including the Midlands Hydrogen Rail Study, Accelerating Hydrogen Across the Economy, and The Case for UK-EU Collaboration in Hydrogen, helping shape discussions at regional, national and international levels.

Impact

HyDEX has delivered significant economic, social and environmental benefits while helping establish the foundations of a regional hydrogen economy. Over the lifetime of the initiative, more than 30 research and development projects, over 20 hydrogen products and 10 commercialisation pathways have been supported. Through ERA’s wider ecosystem, this activity is projected to contribute £3 billion in GVA and create approximately 10,000 jobs. SMEs have also gained access to £111 million worth of research facilities, accelerating innovation and strengthening regional supply chains.

The initiative has invested heavily in skills, training and public engagement. More than 6,500 people have been reached through events, school competitions, demonstrations and open days, while businesses and local authorities have benefited from targeted hydrogen training and knowledge exchange activities. By integrating hydrogen skills into education and training pathways, HyDEX is helping ensure communities can benefit from future employment opportunities within the clean energy sector.

Environmental outcomes have also been substantial. Demonstrators have helped businesses explore low-carbon alternatives for transport, freight and heating, while policy and research outputs have informed practical decarbonisation strategies. At the 2024 Touch Rugby World Cup in Nottingham, HyDEX-supported hydrogen power units supplied the event’s energy needs, showcasing the potential for hydrogen to support large-scale net-zero events.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

EDI has been embedded throughout HyDEX’s delivery and governance. Outreach activities have engaged schools, communities and underrepresented groups, broadening participation in STEM and clean energy careers. The initiative’s Skills Manager played a key role in developing the online C-DICE EDI Toolkit, helping embed inclusive practices within research and innovation activities.

HyDEX has also prioritised accessibility through initiatives such as its Local Authority Toolkit and policy reports, ensuring complex hydrogen concepts are presented in a way that is understandable and accessible to a wide range of audiences. This approach helps ensure the benefits of the emerging hydrogen economy can be shared as broadly as possible.

Looking Ahead

Although HyDEX’s original funding concluded in April 2025, its legacy continues through the Energy Research Accelerator’s ongoing hydrogen activities. The HyDEX brand now serves as the ERA’s established platform for hydrogen innovation, supporting initiatives such as East Midlands Hydrogen and the HORN network.

Partners are continuing to build on the initiative’s success through ambitious projects, including proposals for a €20 million Hydrogen Valley and a National Centre for Low Carbon Fuels. These developments will help ensure that the Midlands remains at the forefront of hydrogen innovation while contributing to the UK’s wider net-zero ambitions.

KE Awards Recognition

HyDEX – Kickstarting the Midlands’ Hydrogen Economy was named the winner of the Place-Based Initiative category at the KE Awards 2025, recognising its outstanding contribution to hydrogen innovation, skills development and regional economic growth.

By bringing together universities, industry, government and communities, HyDEX has demonstrated how knowledge exchange can accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future. Its collaborative model has strengthened regional capability, informed policy and created new opportunities for businesses and individuals alike.

From advancing hydrogen technologies and supporting commercialisation to developing future talent and shaping national debate, HyDEX stands as a powerful example of how place-based collaboration can drive lasting environmental, economic and societal impact.

Watch their award-winning video entry below:

Inspired by this project?
The KE Awards celebrate outstanding knowledge exchange from across the sector. Explore the award categories, discover past winners and find out how to submit your own entry on the KE Awards page.

The partnership between Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and The British Horse Society (BHS) demonstrates how collaboration between academia and industry can create meaningful benefits for students, organisations and wider society. Bringing together expertise in equine science, education and welfare, the partnership has developed innovative resources that improve understanding of horse welfare while providing students with valuable real-world experience and industry connections.

Background and Team

The collaboration between NTU and the BHS is built around a shared commitment to improving equine welfare and creating opportunities for future professionals in the sector. Designed as a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) initiative, the partnership embeds employer engagement directly into the Equine Science curriculum, enabling students to work on live industry challenges as part of their studies.

Drawing on NTU’s expertise in equine health, welfare and science communication, alongside the BHS’s extensive reach and influence within the equestrian community, the initiative creates opportunities for students to develop practical skills while producing resources that address real-world needs. External creative professionals also contribute to the programme, helping students develop engaging content for diverse audiences.

The Challenge

Students entering the rural and land-based sectors can face significant barriers to gaining industry experience, particularly those from disadvantaged or non-traditional backgrounds. At the same time, organisations such as the BHS require accessible, evidence-based resources that can effectively communicate welfare messages to horse owners and carers.

The challenge was to create an approach that would simultaneously enhance student learning and employability, while ensuring that research-informed knowledge could reach and benefit the wider equestrian community.

Approach and Delivery

Through the programme, students work in multidisciplinary teams to respond to live briefs provided by the BHS. Supported by academic staff, industry specialists and creative professionals, they develop scientifically robust resources designed to communicate equine welfare information in clear and engaging ways.

Outputs include educational videos, infographics and accessible online resources that are distributed through BHS platforms and made available to equestrian audiences around the world. By working on authentic industry projects, students gain experience of professional practice while contributing to resources that have genuine public value.

The model has proven both sustainable and adaptable, generating benefits for students, the BHS and wider stakeholders while providing a framework that can be applied in other disciplines and sectors.

Impact

The partnership has delivered significant benefits for both student outcomes and equine welfare. Since the initiative was introduced, the proportion of students achieving upper second-class or first-class degrees has increased from 54% to 86%. Student satisfaction has also improved, while the attainment gap between standard and non-standard entry students has been eliminated.

Participation in live industry projects has helped students develop stronger professional identities, increasing confidence, employability and awareness of career opportunities. By embedding employer engagement within the curriculum, the initiative has removed many of the barriers associated with traditional work experience and placement opportunities.

The wider impact of the programme extends far beyond the university. Student-created resources have reached audiences of more than 100,000 people globally, with the BHS reporting over 82,000 downloads and more than 4,000 views shortly after launch. The collaboration has also informed national and European equine health policy and government legislation, demonstrating the value of combining academic expertise with practical industry knowledge.

The initiative has attracted more than £25,000 of industry investment and provided the BHS with high-quality, research-informed resources that support its education and welfare objectives.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

A central aim of the initiative is to widen access to industry opportunities. By embedding employer engagement within assessed coursework, the programme removes many of the financial, practical and logistical barriers associated with unpaid placements and extracurricular activities.

The project has been particularly beneficial for students from non-standard entry routes, lower socioeconomic backgrounds and groups traditionally underrepresented within the rural and land-based sectors. Inclusive assessment approaches enable students to demonstrate their strengths in different ways while building confidence and a sense of belonging.

Looking Ahead

Building on its success, the partnership continues to expand its reach and influence. Future activity will explore emerging topics including sustainable equine management, waste reduction and climate resilience, ensuring that the resources developed remain relevant to both animal welfare and environmental sustainability.

The model has already gained recognition across the higher education and knowledge exchange sectors and is now being explored for wider application across disciplines. As it evolves, the partnership will continue to demonstrate how employer engagement, education and research can work together to create meaningful impact.

KE Awards Public Vote Recognition

The Science Behind a Happy Horse: A Strategic Partnership for Equine Welfare and Educational Equality was named the winner of the KE Awards 2025 Public Vote category, following strong support from the knowledge exchange community and the wider public.

The project stood out for its innovative approach to improving equine welfare while creating meaningful opportunities for students. By combining academic expertise, industry collaboration and inclusive learning experiences, the partnership has delivered benefits for learners, employers and horse owners alike.

Through the creation of accessible educational resources, enhanced student outcomes and contributions to industry practice, the initiative demonstrates the far-reaching impact that knowledge exchange can achieve when research, education and professional expertise come together.

Watch their Public Vote-winning video entry below:

Inspired by this project?
The KE Awards celebrate outstanding knowledge exchange from across the sector. Explore the award categories, discover past winners and find out how to submit your own entry on the KE Awards page.

Shaping Landscapes for People and Nature to Thrive brings together the University of Exeter and the National Trust to tackle some of the UK’s most pressing environmental challenges. Formalised in 2021, the initiative combines academic excellence with practical conservation expertise to advance solutions in climate adaptation, biodiversity recovery, heritage resilience and public engagement. 

Background and Team

The University of Exeter and the National Trust built on more than a decade of collaboration by establishing a five-year Strategic Partnership in 2021. Supported by a Partnership Board, specialist Working Group and co-funded Relationship Manager, the initiative provides a framework for researchers and practitioners to work together towards shared goals. Together, the organisations have secured more than £28 million in external funding, supporting projects that inform policy, advance research and engage diverse audiences. 

The Challenge

The initiative was created to address complex environmental and societal challenges that no single organisation could solve alone. These include climate resilience, nature recovery, heritage adaptation, sustainable land management and inclusive access to nature and heritage. Turning research into tangible outcomes required a model that could connect academic insight with practical delivery, ensuring benefits extended beyond individual projects. 

Approach and Delivery

Through jointly funded Catalyst projects, shared governance and a culture of open collaboration, the initiative has delivered a range of programmes spanning nature recovery, climate adaptation and public engagement. Key achievements include the launch of the Centre for Net Positive Health & Climate Solutions, the HistoryScapes digital heritage platform, the RENEW programme, Net Zero Plus and the pioneering Stage 0 river restoration project at Holnicote. 

The collaboration has also informed national policy and guidance, contributing to work led by organisations including Historic England and Natural England. 

Impact

Since 2021, the initiative has secured more than £28 million in external funding, supporting major programmes including RENEW, Net Zero Plus and Understanding Cultural Capital. These projects have created jobs, training opportunities and PhD positions while contributing to growth within the UK’s green economy. 

Significant social benefits have also been achieved. HistoryScapes has now engaged more than 4,800 users through inclusive digital storytelling, while projects such as Paws for Thought and Seeing the Forest for the Deer have brought together diverse stakeholders to develop solutions for biodiversity, conservation and community wellbeing. 

Environmental outcomes have been equally impressive. At Holnicote, the UK’s first large-scale Stage 0 river restoration project reduced flood peaks by 38% and restored seven hectares of wetland habitat. Meanwhile, decision-support tools developed through RENEW and Net Zero Plus are helping to guide habitat restoration, carbon storage and biodiversity strategies across the UK. 

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

EDI is embedded throughout the initiative’s activities. Projects have increased participation from minoritised ethnic communities, promoted inclusive approaches to environmental decision-making and amplified underrepresented heritage voices. This commitment supports wider ambitions to improve equitable access to nature, beauty and history while ensuring a broader range of perspectives help shape future action. 

Looking Ahead

The collaboration continues to expand into new areas, including heritage adaptation, data-driven conservation and nature recovery at scale. Building on the success of the Strategic Partnership established in 2021, the University of Exeter and the National Trust are currently finalising a Memorandum of Understanding that will extend the partnership for a further five years, demonstrating a shared commitment to delivering long-term impact.  

Future ambitions include developing commercialisation pathways for research outputs and ensuring that the tools, evidence and insights generated through the initiative continue to support communities, policymakers and practitioners across the UK. 

KE Awards Recognition

Shaping Landscapes for People and Nature to Thrive was named the winner of the Strategic Partnership category at the KE Awards 2025, recognising the exceptional collaboration between the University of Exeter and the National Trust. 

Through a shared commitment to knowledge exchange, both organisations have demonstrated how long-term partnership working can transform research into practical solutions, delivering benefits for communities, heritage and the environment while shaping policy and informing future practice. 

From attracting substantial investment and informing national policy to restoring habitats and engaging communities, the initiative demonstrates the value of sustained collaboration in addressing complex environmental challenges. 

Watch their award-winning video entry below: 

Inspired by this project?
The KE Awards celebrate outstanding knowledge exchange from across the sector. Explore the award categories, discover past winners and find out how to submit your own entry on the KE Awards page.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, turning cutting-edge research into practical solutions has become increasingly important. NW CyberCom was established to help bridge the gap between academic research and commercial application, bringing together six North West universities and two specialist delivery partners to accelerate innovation across the cyber security sector. Through a combination of industry engagement, commercialisation support and investor readiness programmes, the initiative has helped researchers transform promising ideas into market opportunities.  

Background and Team

Funded through Research England’s Connecting Capability Fund, NW CyberCom united Lancaster University, the University of Lancashire, the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Salford and the University of Liverpool, alongside delivery partners Plexal and CRSI. 

The consortium was created to strengthen the cyber security innovation ecosystem across the North West by combining academic expertise with industry insight and commercial support. Drawing on the MIT REAP framework, utilising the five stakeholder model in bringing government, universities, entrepreneurs, corporates and investors together to strengthen the innovation ecosystem, partners developed a shared approach to identifying opportunities, validating ideas and supporting researchers on the path to commercialisation.  

The Challenge

The UK cyber security sector faces a constant need for new solutions to address emerging threats. Universities are generating world-leading research in this area, but translating those discoveries into commercial products and services can be a complex process.  

Researchers often require support in understanding market demand, engaging with investors and developing commercially viable propositions. At the same time, businesses need access to innovative technologies that can respond to rapidly changing security challenges. NW CyberCom was designed to connect these needs and create a more effective route from research to real-world impact.  

Approach and Delivery

A key feature of the programme was the use of industry-led sandpits: intensive workshops that brought together academics, businesses and sector experts to explore challenges and identify opportunities with strong commercial potential. These sessions were informed by research into national and regional market needs, ensuring that ideas were grounded in real-world demand.  

The programme engaged more than 800 academics and supported over 70 researchers. From this activity, 32 proof-of-concept proposals were developed, with 14 receiving funding to advance technologies including quantum-safe encryption and AI-driven threat detection.  

Support extended beyond technical development. Through a bespoke commercial development programme and a network of five Innovators in Residence—experienced founders who had successfully exited businesses—participants received mentoring, commercial guidance and early exposure to investors. This helped researchers better understand investment requirements, refine their propositions and prepare for future growth.  

Impact

NW CyberCom has delivered significant results for both the cyber security sector and the participating institutions. The programme led to the creation of one spin-out company with a further five in progress andgenerated multiple licensing opportunities. Participants engaged external accelerator programmes such as InnovateUK ICURe,accessed follow on funding and collaborated with industry..  

One notable success was Photarix, whose development, investor engagement and market positioning were accelerated through participation in the programme. More broadly, researchers gained valuable experience in commercialisation, helping build confidence and capability across the sector.  

The initiative also strengthened collaboration between universities, businesses and investors. By creating opportunities for direct engagement, the programme improved understanding of market need, increased investor confidence and encouraged a more entrepreneurial culture within participating institutions.  

Beyond individual projects, NW CyberCom helped establish a more connected regional innovation ecosystem capable of supporting future cyber security ventures and attracting ongoing investment.  

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

EDI was embedded throughout the programme’s design and delivery. Opportunities were promoted across partner institutions, with clear and transparent processes governing participation and funding decisions.  

The consortium also placed particular emphasis on supporting early-career researchers and widening participation in innovation and entrepreneurship. Through mentoring, training and targeted engagement activities, NW CyberCom helped create a more inclusive pipeline of future cyber security innovators.  

Looking Ahead

The success of NW CyberCom has demonstrated the value of sector-focused collaboration in accelerating the commercialisation of research. Lessons from the programme are informing future regional and national initiatives, while the networks and relationships established through the project continue to support new opportunities for innovation. An example of this is CyberFocus, a £5M Place Based Impact Acceleration Account that includes all NW CyberCom partners with the addition of the University of Cumbria, which has enabled activity to continue. 

With growing investor interest, stronger university-industry connections and a proven model for collaboration, the consortium has laid the foundations for continued growth within the UK cyber security sector. 

KE Awards Recognition

NW CyberCom: Accelerating Cyber Security Sector Innovation Through University Collaboration was named the winner of the Sector Collaboration category at the KE Awards 2025, recognising its success in bringing together universities, industry and investors to accelerate cyber security innovation.  

By combining academic excellence with commercial expertise, the consortium created new pathways for researchers to develop market-ready solutions, while strengthening the wider cyber security ecosystem across the North West.  

From supporting spin-outs and proof-of-concept development to fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and collaboration, NW CyberCom demonstrates how coordinated sector partnerships can transform research into tangible economic and societal impact.  

Watch their award-winning video entry below: