The Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTNs) are a network of 16 industry-focused networks in the UK managed by the Technology Strategy Board that aim to stimulate innovation through knowledge sharing and networking. KTNs connect businesses, academia, and government to transfer technologies, create partnerships, and provide funding advice. Examples are provided of the Chemistry Innovation KTN and how it brokers projects and events to support its industry, as well as a case study of how the Materials KTN helped a company increase sales by 300% by introducing a new material.

1. Knowledge Transfer NetworksPeter Dirken – KTN Programme ManagerUniversity of Dundee9 September 2010

2. SummaryWho are the Technology Strategy Board?What is a Knowledge Transfer Network?Current portfolioExample – Chemistry InnovationScottish KTN presenceCase studiesLinks with the Research CouncilsQuestions/suggestionsImage by Dan Zen

3. Technology Strategy BoardUK’s innovation agencySet up in 2007Based in Swindon120 staff mainly from businessWorking with business, academia, governmentBudget of £1b over 3 years (up to 1/4/2011)Key programmes such as SBRI, KTP, KTNs, Innovation Platforms, CR&D.

4. Investment criteria

5. CommercialisationProd. PrototypeSystem Qual.System Dev.Technology DemoTechnology DevelopmentFeasibilityBlue skyR&D pipelineBASAPPEXPTSB and its co-funders fundingMarket readiness

6. How we deliver

7. £1 billion investment over 3 years2008-92010-11The innovation climateChallenge-led innovationTechnology-inspiredinnovation

8. Technology Inspired InnovationWe build capability in the underpinning areas that enable a sure and effective response to market needsAdvanced materialsBioscienceElectronics, photonics and electrical systemsInformation and communication technologies High value manufacturing Nanotechnology

9. Challenge-led innovationWe aim to understand the needs of the markets and support the most innovative and competitive responsesEnergy generation and supplyEnvironmental sustainabilityBuilt environmentCreative industriesHigh value servicesMedicines and healthcareTransport

10. InnovationPlatformsWe work with Government as they address societal challenges to give business the future market definition they need to be competitive Intelligent Transport Systems and ServicesNetwork SecurityLow Carbon VehiclesAssisted LivingLow Impact BuildingsDetection and Identification of Infectious AgentsSustainable Agrifood

11. Example IP Societal Challenges & ResponsesLow Carbon VehiclesChallenge: Transport is 24% of UK CO2. >90% road of which 99% is fossil fuel.Gov Action: Supply & Demand Side IncentivesEU g/km CO2 “fleet average” targets - linked to heavy fines for suppliers that do not complyPublic Procurement Programme (£50M Fleet)Road Tax incentiveCongestion Charge ExemptionsFuture EV subsidy (£2-5k from 2011) etc.

12. What is a Knowledge Transfer Network?National network in a specific field of technology or business application Aim: stimulation of innovation through knowledge sharing and networkingKnowledge sharing:Business to business Science base to businessBetween sectorsInternationalBut: for the ultimate benefit of business and for the purpose of wealth creationThey arethe Connect in ‘Connect & Catalyse’

13. Knowledge Transfer Networks exist to :give the Technology Strategy Board the reach into the key industries and markets it needs to get the most out of its key programmes and to ensure that especially the innovative SME community is supported.provide the Technology Strategy Board with independent information on key developments and trends in these industries and markets.help make industry make connections, partnerships and collaborations, share knowledge and accelerate the pace of innovation through networkingImage by ShashiBellamkonda

14. Outcomes for businessTransfer of new technologies

15. Creating/improving supply chains

16. Creation of collaborations and partnerships

17. Accessing funding (signposting + advice)

18. Unlocking academic know-how

19. Barriers to innovation identified and addressed

20. Common voiceImage by frankh

21. 16 Existing Knowledge Transfer Networks:# to merge into one ICT KTN in April 2011

22. As well as a number of Special Interest Groups:

23. Example – Chemistry Innovation KTNDirector, independent chair, technical and project management specialists, industry-led steering boardClear vision and strategic focus (6 sector priority areas that guide all activities within the KTN)Strong links with academia and regions

24. AcademiaRegionsBusinessExample – Chemistry KTNBSI panel meeting 15th of June 2009

25. Example – Chemistry Innovation KTNVaried events programme and project brokeringKITE - Bringing together of supply chain KTN connector – links with Technology Strategy Board£50M collaborative funding leveraged on behalf of members since inception (2006)

26. KTN basic numbersOver the last 3 years the KTNs have:Facilitated 1195 projects for their communities.Helped establish 37 spin outs and 64 products.Secured 56 KTPs and 397 secondments and Case awardsHeld 3300 events for 105,000 people.Generate £250M of value for UK business from an investment of £56MLeveraged £1.2b of funding for KTN users.Leveraged £0.5b of Venture Capital funding.Image by mconnors

27. KTN basic numbersThere are currently 24000 KTN users (as of 3 September 2010), 30% of these are users of more than one network as compared to 10% previously.There have been 96,000 unique visitors to the new _Connect web platform since the platform was launched, 80.5% UK, the rest from 187 countries (3.5% US, 1.5% Germany and 1.4 % India).

28. Close links with the Research CouncilsKTNs provide RCs with latest industry trends, strengths and opportunities.KTNs are delivery agents of EPSRC for Industrial CaseRCs fund a number of Special Interest GroupsRCs provide us with intelligence on where the sources of the best academic know-how are.There is strong representation of academia (individual universities as well as RCs) on KTN boards.

29. Scottish KTN activitiesBiosciences KTN is Head Quartered in Scotland at RoslinBioCentre, Roslin, Midlothian. 9 of the 16 (56%) staff positions in the KTN are based in Scotland. Biosciences KTN activity in Scotland in the Animal sector (in which Scottish academia is a world leader) is co-financed by two existing Scottish grants.HealthTech and Medicines KTN has established an office at RoslinBiocentre that houses three core staff and offers hot-desking space. The KTN has strategic links to BIA Scotland and ABPI Scotland through additional office sharing in central Edinburgh and is well connected to other relevant networks in Scotland such as Nexxus, ISPE Scotland, Scottish Stem Cell Network. There are strong link with Scottish network for medical technologies through new company Medilink Scotland, plus prior links with Targeting Innovation and Scottish Enterprise