Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, has recently announced the winners of the 2025 Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Awards. This announcement marks a significant milestone for the agency as it celebrates the 50th anniversary of one of Britain’s longest-running and most successful innovation programmes.
The KTP scheme, which was first launched in 1975, encourages collaboration between businesses and universities to help drive innovation and growth. Over the past 50 years, it has supported more than 14,000 innovative projects, helping businesses to develop new products, improve processes, and enter new markets.
This year’s KTP Awards aimed to recognize and celebrate the achievements of the most successful partnerships over the past five years. The winners were announced at a virtual ceremony held on 30th June, and were selected from a pool of 16 finalists by a panel of experts.
Among the winners were companies from various industries, including health, construction, and digital technology. These companies were recognized for their outstanding collaborations with universities and their commitment to driving innovation within their industries.
One of the winning partnerships was between Coombe Farm Organic, a sustainable organic farm, and the University of Exeter. Through their partnership, they successfully developed a new method of processing pigs’ waste, creating a more sustainable and efficient farming system. This innovation has not only improved the farm’s environmental impact but also brought new business opportunities for Coombe Farm Organic.
Another winning partnership was between Aptus Utilities, a multi-utility provider, and the University of Salford. Together, they developed a new software that uses artificial intelligence to better plan and manage utility installations. This has significantly reduced costs and increased efficiency for the company, benefitting both Aptus Utilities and their customers.
These success stories demonstrate the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing between businesses and academic institutions. Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, CEO of UK Research and Innovation, highlighted this in her congratulatory message to the winners, saying, “The KTP scheme has proven to be an invaluable platform for businesses and academics to work together and create transformative innovations.”
In addition to celebrating the winners, the 2025 KTP Awards also recognized the impact of the KTP programme over the past 50 years. Since its launch, it has helped create over 1,000 new businesses and generated revenue of over £560 million for UK businesses. These impressive figures speak to the KTP scheme’s success in driving economic growth and fostering innovation in the UK.
However, the celebration of the 2025 KTP Awards is not just about looking back at past achievements. It also serves as a reminder to businesses of the opportunities that the KTP scheme offers. Innovate UK is committed to supporting businesses in driving innovation and economic growth through KTP partnerships by investing over £30 million in the programme in the current year.
The 2025 KTP Awards also align with the UK government’s strategy to make the country a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship. Through initiatives like KTP, the government aims to foster a culture of innovation and support the growth of the UK’s economy.
As we look to the future, it is clear that the KTP programme will continue to play a crucial role in driving innovation and growth in the UK. The partnerships formed through this scheme have proven to be a win-win for both businesses and academics, creating a knowledge-sharing environment that benefits all. With the continued support from Innovate UK and the government, the potential for future collaborations and innovations through KTP is endless.
In conclusion, the 2025 Knowledge Transfer Partnership Awards have not only celebrated the achievements of successful partnerships but have also highlighted the significant impact of the KTP programme over the past 50 years. This milestone serves as an inspiration for businesses to embrace the spirit of collaboration and innovation and take advantage of the opportunities offered by KTP. Congratulations to all the winners, and here’s to another 50 years of driving innovation and growth in the UK.
