Surrey 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 Surrey Innovation and Enterprise Hub.
Driving innovation through collaboration
The title of this event which brought together representatives from government, local authorities, and businesses, with academics, students, and alumni, reflecting the breadth of Surrey's innovation ecosystem.
Following a welcome from Professor Lisa Collins, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, the Head of Innovation and Impact, Jenny Ritchie, launched and explored the Surrey Innovation and Enterprise Hub.
Attendees then gained valuable insights from Innovate UK on strategy, funding priorities, and support available from David Legg, Innovate UK Manager, London & South East, Bruce McLelland, Knowledge Transfer Manager, Emerging Tech and Industries, and Nuray Tanis, Head of Innovation and Growth, Innovate UK Business Connect.
The discussion
Next, Michael Kohn, Innovation Advisor, led a festive celebration of business-led collaboration, featuring soundbites from Photography Based Therapeutics, Starpal.AI (Atom Stars), Plastecowood, and Ionoptika.
Dr Shona Campbell, Senior Knowledge Transfer Advisor, Innovate UK Business Connect, showcased the incredible talent behind Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, with the help of four KTP Associates - Finn McFall, Therme, Jasmeen Kaur, Butternut Box, Dr Megan Loughnane, Givaudan, and Dr Ashkan Loftipoor, Cycle Confident.
The spotlight then shone on consultancy, with Dr James Suckling, Lecturer in Life Cycle Assessment, before Ross Manning provided an overview of commercialisation through Innovate Surrey Ltd, the University's technology transfer office. Dr Madeleine Bussemaker, 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, Kate Bray, Student Enterprise Manager, and Dr Geoffrey Knott, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Edibl / The UK Insect Company, demonstrated the contribution of student and graduate innovators to Surrey’s wider innovation ecosystem.
The afternoon brought together the innovation showcase, networking lunch, a KTP workshop and 1-to-1 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 University of Surrey Lakeside Restaurant and the Surrey 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 Surrey 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.”
To find out more about the Surrey Innovation and Enterprise Hub please contact collaborate@surrey.ac.uk.
