Building the KTP pipeline

We took a cohort of early career researchers through an enterprise training programme designed to build their capability and confidence to work with industry. A key component of the course was conducting research into companies and markets and identifying opportunities to deploy the researchers’ capability.

Each person selected a company and built a pitch to make to the leadership team there – outlining the problem or opportunity, why it is difficult to crack, the capability that the university and researcher can bring, and their track record of delivery.

On completion of the training programme, university staff had a series of opportunities for KTPs (Knowledge Transfer Partnerships) to pitch to companies, and a cohort of researchers eager to deliver them.

The researchers had also received a good grounding in the practices and behaviours involved in working with industry and in how to deliver a consulting support or technology deployment project efficiently and effectively.