Encouraging innovation

We have developed purpose-built facilities to enable the incubation of knowledge and technology based businesses on campus, as well as being heavily involved in the development of the Exeter Science Park. We are committed to enabling our academics to pursue business interests through the exploitation of their intellectual property, and to investing in the local economy.

The Innovation Centre

Phase 1 of the University’s Innovation Centre opened its doors in 2000, followed by Phase 2 in 2008. The centre offers new and growing companies within the research and development sector access to business advice, academic expertise and courses, as well as student and graduate projects. Companies at the centre span a wide range of industry sectors, including biomedical, biosciences, environment, software, advanced manufacturing and the internet.

The Innovation Centre is currently home to over 30 businesses of varying sizes, including some of the most upwardly mobile small firms in the country. A recent Experian survey has placed Exeter in the top 10 in England for businesses that show high potential, with several of these based at the Innovation Centre.

There are plans for a further Innovation Centre at the University's Tremough Campus near Falmouth in Cornwall. The project will provide workspace for 64 businesses though a range of office sizes suitable for both small start-up and larger established companies.

Exeter Science Park

The University is heavily involved with the Exeter Science Park development, which is due to open in 2013. The science park will provide services for knowledge intensive firms and will enable the development of new businesses. The 24-hectare site will offer extensive new facilities encouraging enterprise, science, and research and development-related activity. It will offer high quality space for businesses ranging from start-ups to major corporate headquarters. It is envisaged the Park will also feature a new business hotel, conferencing facilities and a central building providing business support and local services. Find out more on the Exeter Science Park website.

The Environment and Sustainability Institute

The Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) is working with businesses in Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and beyond to translate research and expertise into innovative business practices, products and services in order to respond to the challenges of environmental change.

The team of specialist Knowledge Exchange Managers located on the Cornwall Campus work with businesses with innovative ideas to accelerate the implementation of new business tools and processes that address environmental issues, drawing on the knowledge and expertise of the University of Exeter's academic and technical staff.

The Innovation Club

The Innovation Club is an exciting new opportunity for South West business professionals looking to explore ways they can develop the innovation capacity within their business and link with other focused individuals seeking to do the same. Find out more information about the Innovation Club.

Environmental iNet

We are a partner on the Environmental Technologies iNet, a £2 million initiative supporting Environmental Technology companies in the South West. Find out more about the Environmental iNet.

Smart Solutions

The Smart Solutions project ran through 2009 and 2010, and used a number of initiatives and partners to help local businesses keep developing through the economic downturn. Find out more about how Smart Solutions helped local businesses.