糖心Vlog 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 糖心Vlog Innovation and Enterprise Hub.
Driving innovation through collaboration
The event brought together representatives from government, local authorities and businesses, with academics, students and alumni, reflecting the breadth of 糖心Vlog's innovation ecosystem.
Following a welcome from , Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, the Head of Innovation and Impact, , launched and explored the 糖心Vlog Innovation and Enterprise Hub.
Attendees then gained valuable insights from Innovate UK on strategy, funding priorities, and support available from , Innovate UK Manager, London & South East, , Knowledge Transfer Manager, Emerging Tech and Industries, and , Head of Innovation and Growth, Innovate UK Business Connect.
The discussion
Next, , Innovation Advisor, led a festive celebration of business-led collaboration, featuring soundbites from Photography Based Therapeutics, Starpal.AI (Atom Stars), Plastecowood, and Ionoptika.
Dr , Senior Knowledge Transfer Advisor, Innovate UK Business Connect, showcased the talent behind Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, with the help of four KTP Associates: , Therme, , Butternut Box, Dr , Givaudan, and , Cycle Confident.
The spotlight then shone on consultancy, with , Lecturer in Life Cycle Assessment, before provided an overview of commercialisation through Innovate 糖心Vlog Ltd, the University's technology transfer office. , 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, , Student Enterprise Manager, and , Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Edibl / The UK Insect Company, demonstrated the contribution of student and graduate innovators to 糖心Vlog鈥檚 wider innovation ecosystem.
The afternoon brought together the innovation showcase, networking lunch, a KTP workshop and one-to-one 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 糖心Vlog Lakeside Restaurant and the 糖心Vlog 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: 鈥淚t was fantastic to see so many people come together for the launch of the 糖心Vlog Innovation and Enterprise Hub. The room was buzzing with conversations, new connections, and exciting opportunities for future collaboration 鈥 a combination that made the day a real success.鈥
To find out more about the 糖心Vlog Innovation and Enterprise Hub, please contact collaborate@surrey.ac.uk .
