Latest Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF6) highlights University of Surrey’s sustained strength in business engagement and commercialisation

The University of Surrey has once again been recognised as a leader among its peers in helping businesses innovate, commercialise new ideas and grow, according to the latest Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF6), published by Research England.

The KEF report, which assesses the contribution of England’s higher education institutions to the economy and society, shows the University of Surrey achieved the highest rating of very high engagement for the third consecutive year in the Working with Business and Intellectual Property (IP) and Commercialisation categories.

A top rating for the Working with the Public and Third Sector category was also achieved once again, but with the highest point metric score to date, reflecting the continued strength of the University’s partnerships and engagement activity with government organisations and charities.

For businesses across the Surrey Innovation District ecosystem, and especially those based at the University-owned Surrey Research Park, these latest KEF6 results demonstrate the University’s continued commitment to translating research into benefits for society through partnerships with industry, the third sector and NGOs, as set out in its Vision 2041.

Surrey Research Park: bringing knowledge exchange to life

Home to around 200 businesses, ranging from ambitious startups and spinouts to established global leaders, many at the forefront of technology, Surrey Research Park, is a focal point for much of the University’s industry engagement, innovation and business partnerships.

• Driving regional innovation
  Over the past year, collaborations between the University and biotech companies at the Park have continued to strengthen. Through the Park’s Biotech Connect initiative, three biotech innovation vouchers, worth almost £50,000 in total, were awarded to Surrey organisations, helping businesses access expertise from the University and accelerate innovation in this sector.
  
• Supporting Surrey’s startups, spin-outs and SMEs
  The Park also continues to play an important role in supporting the growth of innovative businesses across the region. Collectively, companies benefiting from the Park’s SETsquared Surrey business incubator raised more than £10.2 million in investment. Meanwhile, graduates of SETsquared Surrey secured a further £69.6 million, demonstrating the value of supporting ambitious businesses from their earliest stages through to commercial growth.
  
• Building talent pipelines to support regional growth
  Companies at the Park also benefit from opportunities to connect with emerging talent at the University of Surrey, helping students gain valuable industry experience while supporting the skills needs of local businesses.
  
  Earlier this year, more than 100 students attended the Park’s dedicated SME Spotlight Fair, which gave companies at the Park an opportunity to connect with top talent from the University looking for local employment opportunities.
  
• Working with the Public and Third Sector
  With its versatile facilities, connections to academic expertise and proximity to the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Surrey Research Park continues to be a strategic location of choice for NHS trusts, healthcare organisations and specialist laboratories.
  
  These relationships extend beyond the physical space. NHS trusts based at the Park have contributed to the Park’s CancerBusters initiative, while the Park team has facilitated connections between healthcare organisations and University of Surrey academics, creating opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange. Among these organisations is the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme’s Southern Hub, which serves a population of 16 million people across the South of England.

Caroline Fleming, University of Surrey’s Director of the Surrey Innovation District and Innovation lead at Surrey Research Park said:

“It’s fantastic to see the University recognised once again for the strength of its partnerships with business. These results reflect something we’ve seen in action at Surrey Research Park for more than 40 years: innovation thrives when businesses, researchers and talented people collaborate.

“Our Biotech Connect innovation voucher scheme is a great example of our collaborative model in action, connecting businesses with funding and University expertise to accelerate innovation that delivers wider benefits for society.

“We’re now building on that success by extending the model into other sectors across the Surrey Innovation District ecosystem, creating more opportunities for businesses to work with us to innovate and grow, while strengthening the partnerships that will contribute to future KEF success.”