Report for Senate

Division of Business Partnerships, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer

1. Strategic Partnerships

1.1 emda

The consultants DTZ Pieda Consulting are undertaking a Business Plan for the Science/Research Park which will include parts of the Holywell Park and current 3M land. The office was active in securing emda support for the purchase of the 3M land. emda have reiterated that Loughborough University is seen as a massive bonus for the Region in developing the opportunities forthcoming from London 2012. In the first instance, this will prompt DBPIKT to seek endorsement and financial contributions for the Olympics proposal outlined below under HEIF3.

1.2 Fuel Cells

CENEX

emda have offered to fund refurbishment of the areas (vehicle test cell) adjacent to CENEX, subject to receiving an approved business plan. This is being progressed, alongside the DTZ study. CENEX have a chief executive and administrator in place.

Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Centre

Work on the second phase of refurbishment is progressing well. An application to emda for a refurbishment grant for a third phase, is approved, subject to contract. The research agreement between RRFCS and LU will be increased to £600k over 6 years (from £500k over 5 years).

1.3 HEIF 3

Institutional Funding

Notification of our formulaic allocation has been received (£1.4M over two years), which is 25% less than our allocation under HEIF 2. However, if we do not continue with all of the collaborative projects we have previously been involved in, we will be able to maintain a fairly stable situation, although there is no opportunity for growth. A business plan, for submission to Ops SC and HEFCE in March, is under preparation. A proposal has been submitted, jointly with the Universities of Bath and East London on “How UK Universities Can Contribute to the 2012 Olympics”. A decision on whether this will pass through to the second round is expected in early March.

2 Loughborough Innovation Centre

The Centre has filled its last empty unit. The rent a desk facility has been opened and has filled quickly – this is in addition to the hot desk facility. A mentoring scheme has been established. Some further upgrading of the building is underway, using leftover contingency funding from the Phase 2 developments.

3 Intellectual Property

Derek Mapp’s new corporate strategy and structure/terms of reference are being reviewed by the DVC. The IP Board will report formally to Resources & Planning Committee, to aid integration within the University. The IP Advisory Board will produce an annual report. Licensing activity remains buoyant.

4 Spin Out Companies

Dtekt (formerly Phlogiston) was approved as a new spin out at the January IP Board, and a development agreement with a manufacturer in Cambridge is under negotiation. Phase Vision secured an offer of £250K investment from Lachesis, though they have to find matched funding as part of the deal. Dialog Devices have received an offer of investment of $500,000. The search for commercial champions continues, with the need for another 5 or 6 individuals willing to work in a mentoring capacity with the spin out companies.

5 Consultancy

Consultancy quotations that have been converted into firm activities for the first six months of this financial year total £281,406, so far, compared with £104,770 for the same time comparison for the previous year. We have provided 34 more quotes than for the same period last year. LUEL are awaiting results of two large tenders that were submitted in January 2006 on behalf of ESRI.

6 Knowledge & Technology Transfer Centre

There are 20 KTP and 2 KTC Associate projects with a total value of approximately £2.3 million. Graduate Gateway has placed 12 graduates with companies so far this year (2005-06).