There is a diverse array of interactions and collaborations between SMEs and universities ranging from businesses using universities for cutting edge research, access to facilities or the expertise of staff and/or workforce development.
The new government see a key role for universities in driving innovation in the local and national economy. One area which has become an increasing policy focus is university spin-outs, involving the commercialisation of research and IP developed by academics to create world- leading, innovative businesses.
Exemplas is a private company, wholly owned by the University of Hertfordshire. We work with thousands of SMEs annually across the UK to deliver programmes of business support. As part of this we work alongside universities and Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) and see at first hand, the benefits to local economic growth from the close working relationships and ties between universities and our SME clients. However, recent research from the National Centre for Universities and Business suggests a downturn in this collaboration since the pandemic, leading to an estimated loss of potential economic growth.
We showcase below, how Exemplas has worked with universities and SMEs providing an important ‘translation and facilitation service to generate local economic growth.
Driving local economic growth through university & SME collaboration
In Hertfordshire we work extensively with our parent, The University of Hertfordshire, to support local SMEs thrive and grow. This SME and university collaboration includes:
- Delivery of the Hertfordshire Growth Hub service in partnership with the University of Hertfordshire (UH) and other Partners. The Growth Hub is delivered on behalf of the County Council and provides information and advisory support to SMEs to help businesses grow. It is the first point of contact for SMEs seeking advice in the local area. The service works with thousands of businesses annually to drive local growth,
- Leading local programmes designed to facilitate SME growth. Recently Exemplas led the Build Back Better programme (2022) across Hertfordshire to help SME recovery post the pandemic. To deliver this programme Exemplas worked in partnership with the University of Hertfordshire, who delivered an accelerator for SMEs, as well as mentoring to local businesses. As a result of this almost 80 businesses developed new knowledge exchange plans.
- Pioneering new approaches to business sustainability. Ellenbrooke a trading style of Exemplas delivering private management systems consultancy has been working with UH to help local SMEs work towards net zero through carbon management and the achievement of recognised quality standards to help secure further market advantage.
“Our work with the University of Hertfordshire has been instrumental in providing an excellent service for SMEs in the County area. Exemplas being part of the University of Hertfordshire family, and playing a key role in the delivery of growth support for SMEs, we recognise the importance of universities as drivers of the ecosystem of innovation available to businesses. Connecting the two more effectively can yield real benefits to the local and national economy.”
David Moule, CEO Exemplas
Helping spin-out success
Commercialisation of university research and IP can have transformational social, environmental and economic impacts. Universities UK suggest that in 2020–21, there were nearly 2,500 active university spin-outs and social enterprises employing 40,000+ people, turning over an estimated £8.5 billion.
Exemplas is the largest partner in the Innovate UK Business Growth Service aiming to help fast-growing and scaling innovative SMEs accelerate their growth, including those which have spun out from universities.
ImmuONE, a biotech company, are an example of one such company which Exemplas have supported through Innovate UK Business Growth. Innovation and Growth Specialists from Exemplas provided wrap-around advisory support to ImmuONE founders, helping them to develop their business strategy and IP protection and assisted their journey to accessing equity investment, including pitch mentorship. As a result of this business support ImmuONE were able to raise just over £2 million in equity investment, enabling the business to move to larger premises and to onboard new hires to scale up. Another great example of university and SME collaboration.
Commenting on the support received Dr Abigail Martin, Co-founder of ImmuONE said:
“Having access to our specialist as a sounding board to bounce ideas around and for support with creative thinking has been phenomenal. The support has been incredibly useful from the perspective of setting goals and helping us to get the investment we needed.”
Dr. Abigail Martin, Co-Founder ImmunONE.
Deepening knowledge exchange between universities and SMEs
Also game-changing for SMEs is helping them to deploy the knowledge and research generated by academics into practical approaches that increase their business growth or productivity. Exemplas has worked extensively with Leeds Beckett University over the last two years to facilitate this type of knowledge exchange in West Yorkshire through the Business Productivity Service. The Business Productivity Service has been commissioned by West Yorkshire Combined Authority to address the productivity gap in the region which is thought to be as high as £8.5bn.
What is unique about the approach adopted by Exemplas and Leeds Beckett University is the deployment of a validated Productivity Improvement Framework with SMEs. The Productivity Improvement Framework was developed through a partnership between academics, productivity consultants and finance and accounting professionals and tested and evaluated in a rigorous academic study as part of the then, Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Business Basics project. led by Dr Ollie Jones at Leeds Beckett University (Jones et al, 2022).
The Productivity Improvement Framework encompasses a set of tools and approach for businesses to understand and diagnose productivity needs, followed by the development of a structured Productivity Improvement Plan to help focus, action and direct productivity growth. The Framework has now been delivered to over 100 businesses in West Yorkshire by Exemplas Productivity Managers working alongside productivity experts at Leeds Beckett University.
The success of this approach to date has been significant with over 95% of SMEs engaging in the programme suggesting the process was helpful in developing their businesses’ productivity. Case studies from the programme also show how the programme has supported businesses from different sectors improve their understanding and approach to improving productivity.
The partnership between Exemplas and Leeds Beckett University has been really positive, and has enabled the Productivity Improvement Framework to be deployed to many more SMEs. This programme demonstrates real world impact and generates new insights and improvements to businesses.
Brokering partnerships between SMEs and universities
The fragmented nature of business support provision has been a common criticism from SMEs and policy-makers. The reasons for this can be attributed to a range of factors including a lack of overarching governance, leadership and overarching, siloed delivery and lack of knowledge. Through our commitment to working closely with ecosystem partners Exemplas has been instrumental in smoothing pathways to relevant support for SMEs drawing together the network of ecosystem provision so that it delivers for SMEs.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, funded by Innovate UK Business Growth are a unique collaboration which brings expertise from universities directly into SMEs to address their challenges in SMEs. They enable SMEs to directly capitalise on the knowledge base and expertise that exists in the UK’s world class network of university and Research and Technical Organisations.
Working alongside Aston University, Innovation Growth Specialists within the Innovate UK Business Growth Service through understanding more clearly the expertise that available in the university, have been able to make high quality referrals that have been translated into formal Knowledge Transfer Partnerships for more SMEs benefitting the businesses concerned and enabling the extension of university expertise into practical benefits for businesses and their communities.
John Richard, Director of Knowledge Exchange highlights:
“Working with Exemplas colleagues that have been part of the Business Growth service in the West Midlands has been a really positive experience so far. Through mutual understanding and collaborative working we have been able to join-up innovation ecosystem support and have generated some really positive outcomes including new KTPs and joint working arrangements that benefit innovative SMEs. We look forward to continuing this partnership moving forward”
So, to summarise the benefits of university and SME collaborations:
There is a real need for the strong collaboration between universities and SMEs across all areas, from spin-outs, to commercialisation of research, and business support programmes. The most important area though is building that trust and being able to see the benefits each can bring to the party. Exemplas’ successes have come about as we are able to act as a translation and facilitation service. We understand both the need for academic rigour, and the drive of SMEs to deliver results. Working together to generate local economic growth is our joint target, and we are making real progress.
Contact us to learn more.