Topic Hub: KE Matters
We are living in world which seems to be changing in at an unprecedented pace and often in unexpected ways.
Equally, the Higher Education sector faces challenges from a number of directions, from financial constraints, to the influential post-16 education and skills white paper, forcing institutions to ask their staff to think and act differently in response.
During this session we explored, how can the KE sector achieve this, how should we respond? And, moreover, how do we ensure a vibrant and nurturing KE culture is maintained?
Speakers:
- Stuart Wilkinson – CEO, Knowledge Exchange UK
- Huw Vasey – Principal Consultant, Oxentia
- Melanie Knetsch – Director of GW4 Alliance (Bristol, Bath, Cardiff and Exeter universities)
Please find below the recording:
This session explored the evolving strategies Tech Transfer Offices (TTOs) used to manage patent renewals, with a spotlight on the operational shifts that redefined how IP portfolios were maintained. It examined how emerging technologies and data-driven workflows streamlined annuity tracking and instructions, reduced administrative burden, and mitigated risk.
The discussion also highlighted the critical role of IP data quality and integrated solutions that enabled proactive portfolio management.
Speakers:
- Stuart Wilkinson – CEO, Knowledge Exchange UK
- Ronnie Georghiou – Executive Director, IP Renewals Services, Wellspring
Wellspring:
Wellspring provides software and services for innovation management, IP, technology transfer, and technology scouting, bridging research and commercialization.
Please find below the recording and useful links:
Looking to streamline innovation in your academic office or research institution? Wellspring Evolve was designed to help tech transfer teams, research administrators, and academic innovators manage disclosures, patents, startups, and partnerships—all in one place. No more spreadsheets or scattered systems.
With Evolve, you got a clear view of your pipeline, improved collaboration, and the tools to turn research into real-world impact. Discover why Wellspring Evolve was the smarter way to support innovation on campus.
Speakers:
- Stuart Wilkinson – CEO, Knowledge Exchange UK
- Mat Kilbey – Account Executive EMEA, Wellspring
Wellspring:
Wellspring’s Evolve platform enhances technology transfer by leveraging AI, automation, and data integration to improve efficiency and impact. This platform aims to help technology transfer offices (TTOs) streamline workflows, automate tasks, and focus on driving innovation.
Please find below the recording and useful links:
Useful links:
How artificial intelligence leads to positive growth: utilising AI to develop new partnerships and revenue streams for your office and university
FirstIgnite shared real-world examples of how their partners are using artificial intelligence in their daily work to build engagement for their initiatives.
Speakers:
- Tamsin Mann – Associate Director Sector Engagement, Knowledge Exchange UK
- David Melie – Head of Partnerships, FirstIgnite
FirstIgnite:
FirstIgnite is an artificial intelligence software which connects universities with companies and contacts interested in their initiatives.
Please find below the recording and useful links:
Useful links:
This practical session with IP expert Paul Roscoe (Appleyard Lees) explored how to protect AI inventions effectively.
Attendees explored what it takes to secure protection for AI-driven technologies through real-world scenarios — including autonomy stacks in self-driving vehicles and a computer vision system.
The session provided clear insights into what can (and can’t) be patented, helping attendees support researchers navigating the evolving landscape of AI intellectual property protection.
Speakers:
- Tamsin Mann – Associate Director Sector Engagement, Knowledge Exchange UK
- Paul Roscoe – Partner, Appleyard Lees IP LLP
Appleyard Lees
Appleyard Lees is a leading intellectual property law firm, with almost 80 patent and trademark attorneys and IP solicitors. It supports clients from a broad range of industries, including chemistry, life sciences, electronics and software, engineering, and physics. Its UK and overseas client roster include start-ups and scale ups, SMEs, University spin-outs, as well as multi-national companies.
Please find below the recording and presentation:
In an increasingly competitive academic landscape, the ability to effectively showcase impact is vital for universities seeking to engage with their local communities, funding agencies, and increase partnerships with non-academic sectors.
In this webinar, we offered a first look at how Elsevier tools can support evidencing impact, focusing on SciVal Impact and the soon-to-be-released Pure Impact AI — a new capability designed to help institutions and funders articulate the societal impact of research with clarity and confidence.
Through case studies illustrating the power of data-informed storytelling, we demonstrated how these narratives can strengthen relationships with external stakeholders and elevate an institution’s reputation in the academic community.
View the recording to explore how Elsevier Impact tools work, who they are for, and how they can help transform the way we communicate research impact.
Speakers:
- Arnie King – Social Venture Building Community of Practice Coordinator, Knowledge Exchange UK
- Sean D. Newell – SD Strategic Business Development, Elsevier
- Sahar Abuelbashar – Account Manager RI Solution Sales, Elsevier
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Elsevier
Withers & Rogers is one of Europe’s largest dedicated intellectual property law firms, with offices across the UK, Paris and Munich. Our clients include renowned, innovative organisations from multinational corporations through to universities and start-ups from across the globe.
We offer a comprehensive service extending to both securing IP rights (such as patents, trade mark, and design registrations) and advising on their exploitation and enforcement. We also provide proactive support functions that help our clients keep track of their IP, stay on top of its maintenance and in control of costs. Our dedicated Higher Education sector team focuses on providing bespoke services and added value for our University clients.
Recognition of the strategic importance of intellectual property is growing rapidly. To help our clients make the most of their creativity, we build strategies that embrace critical areas including innovation culture, due diligence and invention management.
Please find below the recording and presentation:
How is your university office strategically growing? Are you leveraging AI to build new revenue streams and partnerships around your university’s research?
In this webinar, FirstIgnite shared how universities around the world have been using their AI software to develop powerful partnerships in seconds with organisations interested in their initiatives.
Speakers:
- Tamsin Mann – Associate Director Sector Engagement, Knowledge Exchange UK
- David Melie – Head of Partnerships, FirstIgnite
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FirstIgnite:
FirstIgnite is an artificial intelligence software which connects universities with companies and contacts interested in their initiatives.
Please find below the recording:
Explore the latest trends in green innovation and technology with Appleyard Lees, a leading intellectual property firm. In this webinar, we discussed their 2024 Inside Green Innovation: Progress Report, offering in-depth analysis of advancements in renewable energy, materials recycling, sustainable food production, and transport.
Key topics included:
- Breakthroughs in lithium-ion battery recycling
- Next-generation electric vehicle technology
- CRISPR-enabled crop innovation and the challenges it faces
If you missed the live session, you can now access all the key insights, data, and discussions on global sustainability progress that are driving innovations in countries, commerce, and the planet.
Speakers:
- Arnie King – SVB Community of Practice Coordinator, Knowledge Exchange UK
- Paul Beynon – Partner, Appleyard Lees
- David Jasiewicz – Associate, Appleyard Lees
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Appleyard Lees:
Appleyard Lees: Appleyard Lees is a leading intellectual property law firm, with over 70 patent and trademark attorneys and IP solicitors. It supports clients from a broad range of industries, including chemistry, life sciences, electronics and software, engineering, and physics. Its UK and overseas client roster include start-ups and scale ups, SMEs, University spin-outs, as well as multi-national companies.
Please find below the recording, presentations and useful links
The myths surrounding Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) patentability had long been uncertain, particularly in the context of universities and medical research innovations.
Diego Black addressed some of these myths about patenting AI and provided useful insights for tech transfer officers and laboratory-based innovators.
He explored which types of software inventions, including AI in a life sciences setting, could be patented and discussed the characteristics that made an AI invention more likely to be patentable.
Diego answered specific questions, such as:
- Were some AI inventions intrinsically more patentable than others?
- How “AI friendly” was the European Patent Office?
- How could someone determine if their Medical AI invention was patentable?
Speakers:
- Tamsin Mann – Head of Policy and Governance, Knowledge Exchange UK
- Dr Diego Black – Partner & Patent Attorney, Withers & Rogers
- Dr Helen Henderson – Partner & Patent Attorney, Withers & Rogers
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Withers & Rogers:
Withers & Rogers is one of Europe’s largest dedicated intellectual property law firms, with offices across the UK, Paris and Munich. Our clients include renowned, innovative organisations from multinational corporations through to universities and start-ups from across the globe.
We offer a comprehensive service extending to both securing IP rights (such as patents, trade mark, and design registrations) and advising on their exploitation and enforcement. We also provide proactive support functions that help our clients keep track of their IP, stay on top of its maintenance and in control of costs. Our dedicated Higher Education sector team focuses on providing bespoke services and added value for our University clients.
Recognition of the strategic importance of intellectual property is growing rapidly. To help our clients make the most of their creativity, we build strategies that embrace critical areas including innovation culture, due diligence and invention management.
Please find below the recording, presentations and useful links
This workshop was designed to empower knowledge exchange staff to unlock hidden opportunities through data analysis and enhance their KE outcomes. Anchored In showcased a real-world example where they helped a customer secure significant investment by conducting an opportunities analysis using diverse data sets. By leveraging their extensive industry network, they facilitated key connections that led to successful funding. Participants gained insights into utilising data-driven strategies and networking to drive impactful results for their clients. The workshop offered valuable knowledge and practical tools to maximise effectiveness in knowledge exchange, ultimately fostering successful collaborations and investments.
Speakers:
- Tamsin Mann – Head of Policy and Governance, PraxisAuril
- Ian Tracey – CEO, Anchored In
- Sara Diegoli – Academic Programme Director, Anchored In
- Dr Joelle Boutari – Quantum Analyst, Anchored In
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Anchored In
Our vision is to live in a world where science and engineering investment benefits society and its people to the fullest. We advise, inform and connect people and organisations on their innovation journey so that they reach maximum potential. We supporting companies, academic institution and policymakers.