Collaboration between businesses and universities in the UK is one of the most powerful ways to drive innovation, access cutting-edge research, and accelerate growth. Whether you’re an SME looking for technical expertise or a large organisation exploring R&D partnerships, the UK offers a rich ecosystem, but navigating it isn’t always straightforward. This guide explains how business–university collaboration works, the main routes available, and how to find the right partner e

Canterbury Christ Church University pioneers digital heritage collaboration Deal coastline Standing on the Kent coastline, it’s easy to imagine the centuries of stories carried through towns like Broadstairs, Ramsgate, Deal and Sandwich. Fishermen, smugglers, sailors, artists and visitors have all shaped these communities. Yet many of these stories remain hidden in archives, local memories, and museum collections. Canterbury Christ Church University is changing that. With su

“One of the key challenges in designing RIEm is reaching businesses with strong innovation potential and a willingness to collaborate. Konfer has helped us identify and connect with the right companies efficiently, building strong cohorts from the very start.”

The UK clean energy sector is no longer just part of the climate conversation: it is central to the country’s economic strategy. In 2025, the Government unveiled its Modern Industrial Strategy, with clean energy chosen as one of eight priority sectors. The Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan sets out the specific technologies and industries which the UK will focus on over the next ten years, and some (but not all) information on the policy levers the Government will pull to a

Research, relationships and results: How Royal Holloway connects with industry At Royal Holloway, University of London, building meaningful partnerships with industry is a core part of how we translate research into real-world impact. To strengthen this work, we have integrated konfer into our broader approach to industry engagement, helping us reach new partners and create opportunities for collaboration. Our Knowledge Exchange Managers work closely with researchers to iden

Eden Geothermal Limited, supported by Innovate UK Business Growth, used the konfer platform to seek academic collaboration in late 2025. This approach sparked substantial national academic interest and led to two key partnerships, highlighting the effectiveness of targeted innovation matchmaking tools for companies.