Business Opportunities

The centre is committed to forming strategic partnerships to develop and drive forward the centre’s research and commercialisation sector.

Collaboration is strategically imbedded within the academic and business ethos of the Centre and we continually look to collaborate, both with other research groups and with industrial or commercial partners.

The centre has over 50 contributing academic staff from the Colleges of Engineering, Science and the Medical School who are available for a range of contract services.

Consultancy

The centre can provide consultancy to any business or organisation that requires expertise, support or advice.

Consultancy is developed around the needs of the company or organisation, and is structured to help individuals, companies and organisations gain access to the resources that the university has to offer.  

Contract Services

The research groups work closely with industry to deliver short to long term contracted services including proof of concept, research & development, prototyping right through to scale up activities.

The centre is committed to assisting local SMEs as well as large corporate businesses with an interest in nanotechnology and healthcare.

Access to specialist equipment and facilities

With secure access to 1500m² of dedicated laboratory space, the centre offers a range of equipment and commercial opportunities that would be impossible for a small or medium sized enterprise (SME) to develop alone.

The centre offers access to equipment and facilities for:

1. Biology and advanced cell imaging
2. Characterisation with equipment capable of electrical, physical & chemical analysis
3. Micro-nano fabrication of sensors and devices

CNH can also offer a clinical research facility and access to a 'first into man' clinical trials unit and MRI/CT patient imaging and health informatics.

For a complete list of equipment, please go to Equipment page

The centre is continually creating Intellectual Property and through Swansea University, our registered patents are available to companies for licensing.

Whether your company is interested in becoming an affiliate member, access to hot-desk facilities, laboratory and/or office space, we have the package to suit you. The centre offers a soft landing opportunity for international businesses looking to enter the European Market and is one of the swiftest and most effective ways of developing a relationship with CNH.

200m² of business incubation space is available for private offices at the heart of driving research.

CNH staff are engaged in projects supported by a wide range of funding schemes including those from EPSRC, BBSRC, TSB, FP7, Welsh Government, NIHR and are always open for discussions regarding new partnerships,  collaborations and support in helping you access funding.

Below are some of the financial support schemes available:

Academic Expertise for Business (A4B)

Sponsor: Welsh Assembly Government

The A4B programme is funding from the Welsh Assembly through Europe which aims to maximise the economic impact of universities on industry through collaborative projects and the creation of a stronger science, engineering and technology base with clear commercial potential. This will be achieved by the business adopting new processes, systems and services, or by substantially improving those already produced or installed. In turn, this will lead to the creation of high-value jobs and ultimately, a value-added economy.

Who is eligible? Academics lead A4B projects and will seek to involve both SMEs and large companies.

How long does it last? A4B contracts vary and are dependent on the type of project undertaken. Businesses with ideas for projects or research should contact the Dragon Innovation Partnership to discuss their options

Higher Skills Wales

The Higher Skills Wales programmes offer a unique opportunity for businesses, students, academics and educators to work together, share knowledge and experience and learn from each other. All with one clear goal in mind: to improve the competitiveness of the workforce and businesses of Wales.

The two Higher Skills Wales programmes below are major European convergence projects, benefiting from European Social Funds (ESF).

1. Access To Masters (ATM)

ATM is backed with £12.3 million from the Convergence European Social Fund (ESF) through the Welsh Government. Further funding is provided by the Welsh universities and their private sector partners. Through the Access to Masters (ATM) programme, led by Swansea University's School of Engineering, over 1,400 Masters degrees with annual bursaries and tuition funding worth up to £8,450 will be available to help scholars gain the skills they need to drive forward innovation in businesses in Wales.

2. Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships (KESS)

KESS is a major European Convergence programme benefiting from European Social Funds (ESF). It supports collaborative research projects (Research Masters and PhD) with external partners based in the Convergence area of Wales.  KESS will run from 2009 until 2014 and will provide 400+ PhD and Masters places.

https://youtu.be/3DYovQsURag

Research Masters elements are integrated with a high-level skills training programme, leading to a Postgraduate Skills Development Award.

ATM & KESS Benefits for Business

• An opportunity to have an MSc Taught Masters student work on an area specific to your business
• Develop a research culture in your organisation
• Very low entry cost for  the potential return
• Position your organisation as a voice of authority/market leader
• Test claims/perceptions/experiences regarding your product, service or brand

Please note: To be eligible to participate in these two programmes as either a company or as a student you must be resident in the convergence area of Wales (West Wales and the Valleys) and as a student you must, have the right to remain here and work after the completion of your course.

 
Technology Strategy Board (TSB)

The Technology Strategy Board promotes innovation in many ways and there are a number of current and forthcoming research and development competitions covering a range of technology and application areas. Swansea University would be delighted to participate as an academic partner for collaborative R&D projects under the following Technology Strategy Board (TSB) funding call and can offer expertise surrounding the following technologies: advanced materials; biosciences; and nanoscale technologies.

Who is eligible? SMEs and large companies in the public and private sector
How long does it last? The duration is project dependent.
How much does it cost? The cost is project dependent.

1. Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)

A KTP helps UK businesses to improve competitiveness, productivity and performance by accessing the knowledge, technology and skills that are available within our world class Knowledge Base (universities, colleges and research organisations), through the development of collaborative partnerships which stimulate innovation and can transform the participating organisations.  Knowledge Transfer Partnerships have been running UK wide for over 30 years and are the most successful graduate / university / business programme.

Each KTP partnership consists of a business partner, an academic from Swansea University and a graduate or post graduate.  The graduate works on a particular issue a business may have with supervision from the business and academic.

KTPs last between one and three years depending on the type of project and can be funded up to 67% by sponsors such as the Technology Strategy Board and the Welsh Assembly Government.

Benefits to business

• Access qualified people to spearhead new projects
• Access experts who can help take your business forward
• Develop innovative solutions to help your business grow
• Develop your company for today's market
• Increase your competitive advantage
• Increase profitability by improving business performance and operations

Business performance outputs vary considerably from case to case, given the variety of the projects. Latest information shows that, on average, the business benefits that can be expected from a single KTP project (typical duration 1-3 years) are:

• An increase of over £220,000 in annual profits before tax
• The creation of three genuine new jobs
• An increase in skills of existing staff

2. Innovation Vouchers

Innovation Vouchers are designed to encourage businesses to look outside their current network for new knowledge that can help them to grow and develop. Start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses from across the UK can apply for an Innovation Voucher.

Benefits to business

• Stimulates a company to explore bringing new knowledge into the business
• Enhances your ability to develop innovative products, processes and services
• Helps you explore new markets

Who is eligible? This scheme is open to micro and SMEs only, as defined by the EC.

How much does it cost? A grant of up to £5000 is available to businesses to work with a supplier for the first time and is used to pay for knowledge or technology transfer from that supplier.

With secure access to 1500m² of dedicated laboratory space, the centre offers a range of equipment and commercial opportunities that would be impossible for a small or medium sized enterprise (SME) to develop alone.

 The centre offers access to equipment and facilities for:

1. Biology and advanced cell imaging
2. Characterisation with equipment capable of electrical, physical & chemical analysis
3. Micro-nano fabrication of sensors and devices

CNH can also offer a clinical research facility and access to a 'first into man' clinical trials unit and MRI/CT patient imaging and health informatics.

For a complete list of equipment, please go to Equipment page.