Develop your research
Do you have an idea that you think has commercial potential?
From time to time, the University takes steps to move research, ideas and innovations beyond academia to create an entrepreneurial environment that encourages and rewards the generation of new inventions and knowledge, and to facilitate the transfer of new commercially and socially important inventions and knowledge to society.
Your commercial journey can include various pathways. Choose the most appropriate route:
Spin-outs
We can help you create a spinout based on your protected Intellectual Property, setting up formal companies designed to attract inward investment from business partners and specialist investment groups. Ranked for ‘Spinning out Success’ in the Entrepreneurial Impact 2020 Report (PDF), businesses, investment groups and individuals can benefit from a collaboration with the University of Bedfordshire to develop research with commercial potential or to invest in our spin-out companies across the Oxford to Cambridge Arc. We have supported 81 of our own graduates with spin-off activities enabling a repaid contribution to their local business communities and beyond.
Spin-ins
You can access the University's inventions, research, technologies and facilities to develop a commercial opportunity through a collaborative approach in return for an equity stake. The key criteria for a spin-in opportunity in alignment with the key research objectives of the university, the key themes of the regional industrial strategy and national R&D roadmap (PDF) (Healthy populations, Data and AI, Environmental Sustainability, Future Transport) and an opportunity for collaborative research and integration of the University’s expertise and resources.
Licensing
We commonly license our inventions to existing, successful commercial companies who are already set up with routes to market and customer service provision. Licensing is often the most effective way of managing the transfer of new technologies from the University into industry. Brightyellow, a Bedfordshire-based business client, is now working on an exclusive licensing agreement to integrate University research into their cutting-edge smart cities software.
Consultancy
Through its Consultancy Policy and practices, the University and its academia offer an efficient and effective service to the community creating new jobs or growing the regional or national economy, based on the excellence of its educational and research provision. The Consultancy Policy (PDF) outlined below is intended to support University Consultancy activities to the benefit of any partnerships or collaborations.
Intellectual Property (IP) Protection and Selling
We follow the University IP Policy (PDF), which sets out the IP rights roles and responsibilities of all those working with IP generated by staff and students within the University, and determines how revenue from commercialisation is shared between you, your organisation / department and the University.
Incubation
University incubators have become more of a support for entrepreneurs than other types of incubators. Our Putteridge Bury campus is also the official home to local businesses in the region - including, Luton Astronomical Society (LAS) and the famous Luton Dall Observatory, their offices can be found in the most southerly part of our stunning grounds.
Next steps?
Our Business Partnerships experts will help you explore your options and are embedded in the University's Research & Innovation Service as the first point of contact for businesses and staff seeking to commercialise their work or ideas.