After proving its success transforming research commercialisation in the North East, our partnership of five universities is set to further develop the region’s commercialisation ecosystem with a new and far-reaching project.
With significant funding from Research England’s Connecting Capability Fund, the next phase for Northern Accelerator will further underline the commitment to translating world-leading academic research into high-impact commercial ventures, develop innovation and strengthen the North East’s spinout ecosystem.
By working closely with its partners, Northern Accelerator will help expand the pipeline of research commercialisation opportunities emerging from Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland and Teesside universities.
Since 2016, Northern Accelerator has played a pivotal role in boosting the region’s commercialisation capability. By supporting academics and business leaders to create companies from their academic research, it has helped to establish 63 spinouts, with those businesses having raised over £200m investment and now employing over 800 people.
The new project for Northern Accelerator will build on this success by facilitating improved access to entrepreneurial development and strengthening the pipeline of commercially viable opportunities. It will support more high value spinouts and grow existing spinouts by improving access to investment, grants and peer support networks; drive the expansion in licencing university intellectual property; support access to UK and international investment opportunities and develop new relationships with innovative businesses looking to apply academic research to specific sector-based challenges and opportunities.
Edwin Milligan – Head of Regional Commercialisation Projects at Durham University
“Northern Accelerator has helped the 5 UNEE institutions to contribute significant economic, social and environmental impact to the region. Through the new SCENE project, this next chapter will see us introduce new research commercialisation activity and bespoke programmes that will help to further develop a thriving, innovative North East knowledge economy.”
Dr Rupert Friederichsen, Senior Programme Manager at Durham University.
“Thanks to the SCENE project, we will provide academics at our partner universities and other ecosystem stakeholders with invaluable skills, networks and confidence. By doing so we will help the region continue to grow as a hub for innovation, talent and economic opportunity.”
The SCENE (Strategic Commercialisation Ecosystem North East) project is supported by Research England’s CCF-RED fund until April 2030. With £8.6m funding plus £1.1m match over 5 years. It strengthens and builds upon core Northern Accelerator activity, which is currently funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in partnership with the North East Combined Authority and Durham County Council.
To stay in touch with the latest news about this exciting new project please visit our website or LinkedIn page.
