IMPACT REPORT @LeedsEnterprise www.leeds.ac.uk/enterprise
CONTENTS 4 Enterprise at Leeds 275 regional businesses benefitting from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses growth programme Celebrated the completion of our 100th successful Knowledge Transfer Partnership 6 Business Enterprise 275 100 Enterprise at Leeds is an institution-wide strategy to make enterprise a distinctive feature of the University. We have an increasingly embedded entrepreneurial culture and so have adopted an approach which pulls together strengths from across our wide ranging enterprise activities. From student and graduate enterprise and staff skills development to the commercialisation of research and collaborations with businesses, we seek to set ourselves apart and to further enhance our international reputation as leaders in this field. 8 Student & Graduate Enterprise 10 Student & Graduate Enterprise 12 Staff Enterprise Gold Standard Small Business Charter Award OVER 100 SPINOUTS CREATED SINCE 1995 100 ENTERPRISE AMBASSADORS We currently have 18 Enterprise Ambassadors MARKET CAP OF LISTED COMPANIES: Our committed and dedicated community of staff, researchers, students, alumni and supportive entrepreneurs are critical to our success. Enterprise at Leeds brings together our knowledge and expertise in enterprise education, business support and delivering growth programmes and to support student businesses, spin-out companies, developing strong collaborative partnerships to create economic and social impact. 14 University Enterprise DONATIONS During the academic year we have received 750k in donations from alumni and other supporters 750k BUSINESS INCUBATION 37 the 505m 20/04/15 businesses fully occupy incubator Professor Nigel Lockett Professor Lockett was awarded the prestigious National Teaching Fellowship in 2015 1203 12/13 13/14 29 33 Start-up numbers Students studied Enterprise Centre modules in an increase of 42% from the previous year 14/15 48 2 3
ENTERPRISE AT LEEDS Our commitment to entrepreneurship runs deep with enterprise forming one of the four key pillars of our University Strategy, as well as one of the five values of our Student Union. We lead the sector by creating a self-supporting virtuous circle of entrepreneurship: I believe that our wide-ranging enterprise activity and the commitment from staff to deliver exceptional experiences provide a unique opportunity to grow and embed enterprise comprehensively across our University. Sir Alan Langlands, Vice-Chancellor Our innovative approach to encourage and support entrepreneurship is widely recognised both within the university and beyond: I welcome the leadership of the University of Leeds in this area and the approach they have adopted, to market and embed enterprise. Lord Young, 2014* STUDENT ENTERPRISE We provided an integrate student enterprise offer combining education, opportunities and support. Through our courses and discovery modules, competitions and scholarships we help them to turn their ideas into a reality. All delivered by our specialist enterprise education unit, Leeds Enterprise Centre, and business support unit, Spark. 33 start-ups in with 65% rise over the last three years Rapid growth in number of students studying enterprise (698 in ) through the Leeds Enterprise Centre Robert Conway and Andrew Green (MSc Enterprise) while studying put their skills into action by setting up TourOutdoor, student tour company. UNIVERSITY ENTERPRISE Our extensive commercialisation activities have created very strong track record of innovation through our research, creating over 100 spin-out companies since 1995. IP income to the University through license and equity realisation is 5.25m. Our 7 stock market listed spin-outs have a market value of 500 million Dr Tim Stevenson, Research Fellow and Chief Operating Officer of Ionix Advanced Technologies, which develops piezoelectric materials, such as PZT, for high temperature environments including one project that has led to the development of a sensor which monitors the reliability of components in superheated steam systems. Enterprise at Leeds provides exceptional enterprise opportunities to growing businesses, our students and graduates, staff and the commercialisation of the University s world leading research. It consists of five integrated themes: Business Enterprise, Graduate Enterprise, Staff Enterprise, Student Enterprise and University Enterprise. BUSINESS ENTERPRISE We work with growing businesses in the region and beyond to support economic development including the renowned Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses. We are one of only three universities to achieve the Gold Standard Small Business Charter Award. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can access our knowledge transfer and consultancy services through our 14 sector hubs. 275 regional businesses benefitting from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses growth programme Celebrated the completion of our 100th successful Knowledge Transfer Partnership Gold Standard Small Business Charter Award Nick Howard (BA Theatre Acting, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses) with the help of SPARK founded Limehouse, which produces corporate film communications, after graduation. GRADUATE ENTERPRISE Our new InTechnology Enterprise Incubator provides on-campus support for start-ups from Spark business support team who also help our graduates up to seven years after graduation. InTechnology Enterprise Incubator funded by a regional entrepreneur Spark, the University s business start up centre, also offers an impressive support service to students at the outset of their entrepreneurial journey. Kairen Skelley, Head of Business Start-Up, said Students wishing to start their own business will get support and encouragement from the Spark team, from initial idea to start up and beyond. Sophie Tregellis (BA Philosophy) with the help of Spark founded Top Collar, natural dog treats subscription boxes run from the InTechnology Enterprise Incubator. Robert Conway and Andrew Green The help from the University has been fantastic. We won the Spark Proof of Concept fund which has really helped us get our business off the ground. If you have a good idea and show passion and interest, there is so much support here for you. STAFF ENTERPRISE Our staff and postgraduate researchers are supported to develop their enterprise skills by two specialist units - Staff and Departmental Development Unit and the Leeds Enterprise Centre. SDDU Company Director Course for directors and potential directors of University spin-out companies Dr Tim Stevenson We ve had success in creating materials that mimic PZT but which work at a much higher temperature. The potential uses are so great that the creation of a separate company was warranted to continue its development. I can honestly say that without the invaluable support received from the University Instrumentel would be a very different company. Nick Howard Now Limehouse Films has its own premises in a converted mill complex in Halifax and we employ 12 staff. Our client list includes First Direct. I recently participated in the 10,000 Small Businesses initiative, which is delivered by Leeds University Business School and supports business leaders in organisations with high growth potential. Sophie Tregellis I m not sure that I would have got this far without advice and encouragement from Spark. I m so excited to be in a professional incubator environment with a support network. David McGorman (PhD Inductively Coupled Telemetry) was offered sponsorship to study for a PhD with fledgling University of Leeds spin-out company Instrumentel Ltd. He is still with the company, now in the role of Chief Executive. David has also completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme. David McGorman *Lord Young (2014) Enterprise for All Report by the Prime Minister s Advisor on Enterprise. 4 5
BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GOING FOR GOLD 2014 saw the University of Leeds become one of only three UK universities to be awarded a new Gold Standard Small Business Charter Award. This prestigious accolade recognises our role in helping kick-start British enterprise, and is a culmination of a range of projects and initiatives that have taken place across the University over the past decade. Rob Whieldon was responsible for leading the Small Business Charter application on behalf of Leeds stated, We were assessed in March 2014 an exercise which covered 30 different dimensions relating to enterprise with students, enterprise in the curriculum and enterprise with regional SMEs. We were delighted to be one of only three awarded the gold standard it really reflects our strength in fostering enterprise in the region. He played a pivotal role in persuading Goldman Sachs to work with the University of Leeds on their pilot of 10,000 Small Businesses programme. The pilot was extremely successful we re now on cohort nine which will complete in July. It was a key part of our success in being awarded the Gold Standard. It enabled us to demonstrate that we have a proven track record in working with, and benefitting, small businesses nearly 275 SMEs have benefited from the programme since we started in 2010. Alumni from the initiative are also giving back to the University in a wide range of ways. \ Jo Cutter, Assistant Director of the University s Professional Services Sector Hub says, The charter allowed us to showcase work not only undertaken by the Business School but also work from across the University that supports SMEs. For example, engineering are involved with the Yorkshire Innovation Fund that provides resources and advice for SME-University collaborations, while CCI Exchange, our Cultural and Creative industries hub, supports innovation in SMEs through the Leeds Creative Labs programme. \ Peter Wilkinson, CEO of InTechnology plc, said I know how tough it is for start-up businesses. We want to give these start-ups every chance of success as they will contribute to the future prosperity of Leeds, providing sustainable economic growth and job creation. Programmes like this have the potential to turn Leeds, Yorkshire, and the whole of the North, into the economic hub it should be. \ Professor Nigel Lockett, Director of the Leeds Enterprise Centre, said We were able to demonstrate that enterprise works across the University in a sophisticated and coherent way. Our Enterprise Action Group meets every six weeks to make sure we are making a positive impact on students and stakeholders involved, looking at how we can improve enterprise opportunities. \ Caroline Wherritt (Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses) CEO, re:work are Yorkshire s Leading Social Enterprise, supplying ethically sourced Used and New Office Furniture from recycled materials and UK companies. Caroline is also an Enterprise Ambassador. Caroline Wherritt I ve always been driven to succeed, but what I learned during the programme was that recently I hadn t been driven in the right places. The programme directed me to the activities that make my business grow. I ve refocused on being good at what I m good at and delegating other things. I m now running my business not running in it. Brilliant. PARTNERING FOR GROWTH: 100 SUCCESS STORIES The University of Leeds has a long history of successful Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) with businesses of all sectors, shapes and sizes. In January 2015 a significant milestone was reached when the University began its 100th KTP, a project with household name Dyson Technologies. Since 1978 has around 20 KTP projects running at any one time, making it one of the most prolific university participants in the scheme in the UK. Current project partners range from large international businesses such as Asda to niche companies such as continuous-casting equipment manufacturers, Rautomead. Tom Fripp (Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses) Managing Director, Fripp Design and Research a is a fresh and dynamic product design, research and business consultancy. Tom Fripp The programme gave me access to a calibre of people, participants and presenters that I would never have had before. It was a privilege to be involved in such a high profile scheme, and we benefitted enormously. Reaching the milestone of 100 KTP projects is testament to the research strengths at Leeds. Companies recognise the relevance of the expertise at Leeds and the competitive edge it can give their business. This tangible transferring of knowledge makes an impact in the commercial world and reinforces the importance of collaborations between universities and businesses. Professor David Hogg, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation. 1 2 3 We are proud to be one of only three Universities in the country to be recognised as Gold Standard for Lord Young s prestigious Small Business Charter Award. The course was a complete paradigm shift Andrew Mason Andrew Mason (Executive MBA, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses) Co-Founder, RandomStorm, is a specialist Internet and network security company that develops security service solutions and offers a full range of security professional services such as penetration testing, social engineering and web application security testing. Accumuli acquired Random Storm in December 2014. for me; it changed me as a person and as a business owner. 275 regional businesses benefitting from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses growth programme 275 Celebrated the completion of our 100th successful Knowledge Transfer Partnership 100 Gold Standard Small Business Charter Award 6 7
STUDENT & GRADUATE ENTERPRISE BOOSTING SKILLSETS IN CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES Students have access to a range of bespoke and innovative enterprise modules and programmes. LEEDS ENTERPRISE CENTRE GROWTH IN STUDENT NUMBERS 604 698 1203 Students studied Enterprise Centre modules in an increase of 42% from the previous year ENTERPRISE AND INNOVATION DISCOVERY THEME From the Enterprise and Innovation discovery theme, students can choose one of our enterprise modules that enhances their transferable skills, helping them to stand out in the recruitment process. Sam, Barney and James (BSc Accounting and Finance, BSc Environment and Business and MBChB Medicine) benefited from the enterprise modules, which helped them launch their innovative taxi booking mobile app for students, JumpIn. Sam Ryan CROSS-FACULTY PARTICIPATION In addition to enterpriserelated modules embedded in faculty programmes, students from every faculty take part in Enterprise Centre modules together. The module was a great way for us to develop not only our theoretical knowledge but also the practical skills needed to set up our business. We re now looking to roll out the app to other student cities and have begun what we hope will be exciting careers as entrepreneurs. Business 49.04% Hannah Gillicker Environment 13.38% Arts 8.79% ENTERPRISE PLACEMENT YEAR Current students in their second year, with a workable business plan, can take part in our year in enterprise programme and spend their third year developing it. Successful applicants receive a 5,000 bursary, serviced office space, business advice, academic tutoring and access to professional networks. Hannah Gillicker (BA Management) set up her own record label, Break the Boundary Records, during her year in enterprise. I had to go through an interview process and draw up a business plan to be accepted onto the year in enterprise. Although it was pressurised at the time, the rewards have been well worth the effort. I worked in serviced office space and treated my business as I would a real 9-5, except I usually worked longer hours! Performance, Visual Arts and Communications 7.39% Lifelong Learning 6.37% Education, Social Sciences & Law 5.86% Medicine & Health 4.97% Maths & Physical Sciences 2.04% STUDENT NUMBERS BY LEVEL MSc ENTERPRISE (Launched in ) Student Numbers 15 646 393 328 197 79 UG LEVEL 1 UG LEVEL 2 27 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES WITH ENTERPRISE (Launched in ) Biotechnology 7 Music 4 202 168 116 21 UG LEVEL 3 DONATIONS During the academic year we have received 750k in donations from alumni and other supporters 750k SOCIAL POLICY WITH ENTERPRISE IS RECRUITING FOR 2015 159 196 3 new modules were created and available in MASTERS ENTERPRISE AMBASSADORS We currently have 18 Enterprise Ambassadors We are working with the School of Design and Faculty of Biological Sciences to further expand the portfolio of programmes. Biological Sciences 1.40% Engineering (inc. computing) 0.38% Special Skills (sport) 0.38% 8 9
START UP SUPPORT DEVELOPING BUSINESS IDEAS Providing support to develop business ideas and gain access to a professional network, funding, industry mentors and incubation space. SPARK START-UP SERVICES Our team of business advisers at Spark can help students consider their ideas, what motivates them to set up a business and what skills they ll need to help it become successful. Alice Colligan (BSc Biology ) got in touch with Spark to find out how her business idea, Youmi & Teepee, a versatile teepee design for children, could become a reality. SPARK 12/13 13/14 14/15 Alice Colligan With the number of start-ups increasing year on year, Start-up numbers have seen 65% rise over the last three years. with 48 starting in 14/15 (to date). 29 33 48 Start-up numbers The guidance I ve received in everything, from creating a meaningful business plan, to building a website, to giving confident presentations, has been essential in getting me where I am. Spark has had 12,000 engagements since inception in 2008, including workshops, bootcamps, 1-2-1 meetings, competitions and business plan support. Engagement with Spark 625 SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS We offer a series of scholarships and awards to help support students in their entrepreneurial journey, from an initial idea to start up, growth and beyond. Funds are available from 250-5,000. James Wilkinson (MDes Product Design) won both the Pre-trading category in the business plan competition and the 5,000 Sir Peter Thompson Award with an innovative product aimed at the event production industry. James Wilkinson 885 I can t thank the Spark team enough for their support, and Sir Peter Award. It means so much to have someone like Sir Peter backing your ideas and believing in you. Over 80% increase on jobs created over the last three years, with 2014/2015 figures already reaching 69 posts. Business incubation businesses fully occupy 37the incubator EXTRA CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE SOCIETIES Joining a society such as the Enterprise Society or Enactus could help students develop their enterprise skills or generate new ideas alongside like-minded students. COMPETITIONS Students test out ideas by entering into the business plan competition and gain valuable knowledge and experience. Ashleigh Rodda (BA Fashion) runs her own business, Bariatric Training Suits Ltd, producing training suits for medics. Her business was bolstered when she won our business plan competition. Ashleigh Rodda I m using the 2,000 prize money to help with the marketing and promotion of my business to help spread the word. WORK EXPERIENCE Students can equip themselves with work experience and develop enterprise skills through a placement as part of their course, an internship or by taking up a voluntary opportunity through the Volunteering Hub. SOCIAL ENTERPRISE Social enterprises are organisations that have a social or environmental purpose at the heart of what they do. Students can set up their own, or work with existing companies to help the community by applying to the Social Enterprise Zone or Green Exchange fund, run by the Leeds University Union, or the Leeds for Life foundation. See how the Green Exchange has funded projects: The Real Junk Food Project, funded by the Green Exchange, is made up of volunteers who collect surplus food from businesses and serve it as meals in their pay as you feel café. The project received a grant through the Green Exchange that enabled them to buy better equipment and tools meaning that they could cook a wider range of food and divert even more food from landfill. VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES Students gain valuable skills and help give something back by volunteering. Alongside her study for her BSc Geography, Rachel Wylie gained valuable experience in problem solving during her voluntary work for an organisation called the Together Women Project, helping vulnerable women gain new skills and confidence by organising craft-based workshops. Volunteering helped me to find my real passion, and has led me directly into a career to live out this passion. With my experience as a project leader, I was able to demonstrate my enterprise skills in job interviews. 10 11
STAFF ENTERPRISE Our staff and postgraduate researchers are supported to develop their enterprise skills by two specialist units - Staff and Departmental Development Unit (SDDU) and the Leeds Enterprise Centre. University of Leeds is a case study in Enterprise for All Report 2014 Since 2003, SDDU has been running a highly-acclaimed Company Director programme comprising seven short courses for directors and potential directors of University spin-out companies. Professor Nigel Lockett and Dr Sarah Underwood Dr Richard Blackburn, co-founder of University of Leeds spin-out teamed up with Marks & Spencer to produce a natural skin care range using the waste products of grapes. Our aim is to help retailers like M&S make use of the great array of chemistry that nature provides. Sustainable extraction from our natural products has real benefits. Dr Richard Blackburn 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Leeds Enterprise Education Network (LEEN) brings together colleagues from a diverse range of disciplines to explore and exchange knowledge of teaching and research and to develop opportunities for collaboration and curriculum development. LEEN recognises that colleagues working across faculties and schools are developing innovative and exciting enterprise teaching for students from a range of disciplines. Professor Nigel Lockett and Dr Sarah Underwood together with four colleagues from the Leeds Enterprise Centre, delivered the Starting a business: realise your vision course. Dr Underwood said, This interactive online course directly addressed the challenges of starting a business using material from inspiring academics, student entrepreneurs and business advisers. Importantly, it is also part of an ongoing research project involving enterprise teachers in sixth form colleges across the UK. We have developed a trusted network supported by 18 Enterprise Ambassadors acting as entrepreneurs-in-residence as part of our entrepreneurial eco-system which builds businesses and supports growth from student start-up ideas to our hugely successful Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses growth programme. This means at the University of Leeds any student, from every School has access to enterprise through our electives, and institution-wide model of student entrepreneurship uniquely championed collaboratively by Faculty, Careers, Student Union and our Alumni. In July 2014, our commitment to enterprise education reached beyond the University campus with our innovative Starting a Business Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) which attracted 13,000 participants from 105 countries. Professor Lockett was awarded the prestigious National Teaching Fellowship 2015 for his outstanding contribution to enterprise. 12 13
UNIVERSITY ENTERPRISE NOTEWORTHY UNIVERSITY SPINOUT COMPANIES The University s Research Innovation Service, working in partnership with our 14 sector hubs, support academic researchers in the identification, protection and commercial exploitation of their research, and work closely with local and national businesses and investors to generate new spinouts and ensure future impact. Enterprise opportunities arising from University research is directed through a series of gates before a decision is made on the appropriate commercialisation pathway; a spinout company or technology licence. IP INCOME TO UOL (LICENCE & EQUITY REALISATION): 5.25m 755k NUMBER OF PATENTS: 374 Avacta is a global provider of innovative technologies, consumables and reagents for Life Science markets, from drug discovery to diagnostics with a market valuation of 39m and employs 73 people. Avacta Group plc raised 10m investment in 2014. http://www.avacta.com Quantum Imaging developed a new device which looks set to change the way that heart disease is diagnosed. 1.6m of investment was secured in April 2014, enabling the company to build research and understand the diagnostic capabilities of the device. Early stage clinical trials are currently underway to prove the technology s efficacy. http://quantumimaging.eu University spinout companies provide a mechanism through which we can contribute to the development of industry clusters. Over time these clusters of companies can generate between them a much greater economic impact than a single company. Two examples of this clustering activity involving Leeds spinouts are: Filtronic PLC is a key component in the development of the Airedale digital cluster and Avacta Group plc and Tissue Regenix Group plc are two spinout companies who are integral to the Region s developing health cluster. OVER 100 SPINOUTS CREATED SINCE 1995 NUMBER OF SPINOUTS WITH UOL SHAREHOLDING: EMPLOYMENT IN SPINOUTS WITH UOL SHAREHOLDING: NUMBER OF LISTED SPINOUTS: MARKET CAP OF LISTED COMPANIES: INVESTMENT RAISED BY LEEDS SPINOUTS: 7 100 Professor Christoph Wälti 6 34 28/04/15 29 505m Relitect developed a novel bioassay platform, has secured further investment of 750K. Founded Professor Christoph Wälti and Professor Giles Davies from the Faculty of Engineering. Professor Wälti said: It is very exciting to see the technology transition from academic research to industrial development. Relitect is now very well placed with the appointment of Alan and the support of IP Group to deliver a product to market that can revolutionise how diagnostic assays are conducted. 43.2m 426 (FTE) 40m 10.2m Progressing investment of 40m+ for our 10,500 sq m University Innovation and Enterprise Centre Tracsis conducts novel research into Rail Transport crew efficiency, solving the problem of crewing transport systems in a strict regulatory environment. It has been operating for 9 years, a 94.5M valuation and created over 140 jobs. In 2013, it was the Aim Market: Small Cap Company of the Year and in 2014, winner of the Santander and Smarta Breakthrough 50 Award 2014. http://www.tracsis.com Bill Westwater, chief executive at Xeros, a University spinout which is using plastic beads to make washing machines more efficient, was featured in Financial Times, Guardian and Washington Post newspapers and CNBC. Xeros Technology Group successfully raised 30m as part of an AIM listing in March 2015 with 20 Jobs created. For more information visit www.leeds.ac.uk/enterprise Tissue Regenix uses novel research into replacement body parts from biological (animal) materials reduces need for human donors. After years operating is has a 166M valuation and has created 48 jobs. 2014 saw the US market launch of DermaPure, its decellularised dermis product. http://www.tissueregenix.com 14 15
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