Around the world, businesses and universities are working together. In this blog, we take a look at some of the reasons why and how the business and university worlds can support each other to push the boundaries of what is possible through knowledge exchange.
In a world where markets shift rapidly, technology is constantly evolving, and societal challenges grow more complex every day, the most successful businesses are those that don’t go it alone. Increasingly, forward-thinking organisations are turning to universities — not just as training grounds for future talent, but as strategic partners in innovation, skills development, and long-term impact.
We’ve seen first-hand the power of these partnerships to transform businesses, communities, and our University. Whether you're a start-up founder, SME director, or part of a global corporation, collaborating with a university offers more than just academic insight. It opens up a whole world of opportunity.
And it’s not just businesses we collaborate with, either. Schools, charities, NHS trusts, policymakers, civil society, and more all work with us to solve their business challenges, move towards a sustainable future, and influence our research, teaching and engagement work.
Contents:
- Benefits of university-business collaboration
- Universities understand businesses better than ever before
- New ideas with reduced risk
- Access to cutting-edge research
- Access experts and solve strategic challenges
- Funding and investment support
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities
- Support from the experts of today and tomorrow
- Future-proof your workforce
- Grow talent through degree apprenticeships
- How do businesses work with universities?
- What next?
Benefits of university-business collaboration
So why do businesses work with universities? Because they unlock tangible, strategic value across an organisation's aims, delivery processes, and impact. Partnerships with universities can:
- drive innovation
- lower research and development costs
- reduce business risk
- offer access to world-class academic and industry talent
- upskill business staff
- offer access to state-of-the art technologies
- attract investment and unique funding opportunities
- build a brand that sets a business apart from competitors
We explore these benefits in more detail in this blog—and link to real-world examples of how it works in practice.
Expert staff and high-end analytical equipment can be accessed by businesses needing advanced insight. Credit: Andy Tait.
Universities understand businesses better than ever before
The relationship between universities and businesses has evolved. At one time graduates and technologies were moved in one direction, from university to business. Today, collaboration is dynamic, bi-directional knowledge exchange.
Universities like Newcastle are deeply engaged with industry, offering tailored, flexible pathways that reflect real business needs. Whether it's co-designing solutions, fast-tracking innovation, or building talent pipelines, our partnerships are designed to deliver practical, measurable outcomes for everyone.
Our experienced business teams and dedicated support are driven by a shared ambition for positive change, both in business, society, and the world. And they’re keen to help you.
New ideas with reduced risk
Innovation can feel risky. There are financial costs, opportunity costs, and uncertainty of outcome. But working with a university can reduce the risk.
Through collaborative research, access to government-funded programmes, and shared R&D infrastructure, your business can explore new ideas without bearing all the expense alone.
Businesses can access funding streams that include university partnerships, such as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) or other Innovate UK grants. Moreover, we help businesses find the right funding opportunities and shape proposals that increase the likelihood of success.
Access to cutting-edge research
One of the most compelling reasons businesses partner with universities is access to cutting-edge research and development. Our academics work on business-relevant research every day — whether it’s advancing sustainable agriculture, developing new cancer treatments, or driving the UK’s clean energy transition.
Collaborating with Newcastle University gives businesses access to interdisciplinary expertise and research infrastructure that could potentially be too expensive to replicate in-house.
An example of this is our involvement in the UK’s future electrification strategy because of our work in power electronics, machines, and drives (PEMD). Industry partners have collaborated with our researchers to test ideas, solve technical challenges, and bring new low-carbon technologies to market.
Access experts and solve strategic challenges
With over 6,000 staff, Newcastle University is home to thought leaders and problem-solvers across disciplines—from AI and life sciences to business management and design thinking.
Through academic consultancy, contract research, and strategic advice, businesses gain access to deep subject matter expertise through our in-house experts. Our academics understand both cutting-edge theory and the realities of your commercial environment, helping you tackle challenges with new insight.
University collaborations aren’t just about technical development—they’re about long-term strategic thinking. Working with our academics, businesses can explore new markets, identify emerging trends, and shape more resilient, future-facing strategies.
Our academic staff are not only thought leaders in their fields but often bring a deep understanding of commercial realities. From strategic design management to rural innovation and digital transformation, we help businesses unlock new ways of thinking.
Of course, there are also opportunities for university staff to benefit and grow from these partnerships, too. Engaging with businesses and enterprises helps our academics 'give back’ to the economy and society, and gives them fresh, real-world insights to use as case studies while teaching. Successful collaborations also often lead to publications, media coverage, keynote invitations, and professional recognition, raising awareness of your business at the same time.
Funding and investment support
Working with a university can open doors to funding and investment opportunities not typically available to businesses alone.
Newcastle University supports its partners through a wide range of routes to financial support. It could be a Knowledge Transfer Partnership, designed to embed a knowledgeable and skilled associate within your team to lead a strategic innovation project. Or it could be support and advice for applying for research and development funds from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and other national and international sources.
Quite often, universities are delivering focussed innovation schemes targeted at particular regions or topics. At Newcastle University, we lead the Arrow programme, an SME innovation programme, and our National Innovation Centres lead initiatives such as the Internet of Caring Things or the regional Hartree Centre for digital technology.
Access to state-of-the-art facilities
Sometimes innovation needs more than ideas—it needs the right technology, too.
Newcastle University offers access to advanced equipment and expert staff that can help bring your concepts to life. Some of these include:
- biomedical research facilities that can support research and development in the life sciences
- chemical and surface analysis that can help you to get the most out of engineering materials
- environmental, at-scale, and large research facilities that support testing and investigation of the world around us
- co-location with teams and laboratories inside a university, such as DSTL creating a cyber team alongside the National Innovation Centre for Data, and Dyson co-locating its research and development with electrical and electronic engineers
Whether you’re testing a prototype, scaling up a technology, or need high-end analysis, our facilities and expert staff can help.
Support from the experts of today and tomorrow
Our students and graduates are ready to contribute to your business from day one. With over 29,000 students and a global alumni network, you gain access to diverse, driven individuals who bring new skills and fresh ideas.
When businesses work with Newcastle University students, they gain far more than extra hands on-deck. They gain new energy, new ways of thinking, and a fresh outlook on current challenges. Students can contribute to live briefs, placements, internships, and real-world consultancy projects that align their studies with business needs. Their creativity, curiosity, up-to-date knowledge, and enthusiasm to experiment make them ideal collaborators on innovation, marketing, digital transformation and more.
But these collaborations don’t just benefit businesses. The students benefit, too.
Working with businesses helps them apply theory in practice, build professional networks, and gain meaningful experience that prepares them for life after graduation. These interactions don’t just support graduate recruitment—they foster mutual growth and a sense of shared purpose between academia and industry.
Future-proof your workforce
The pace of change in today’s business environment means that skills need to evolve just as quickly. Whether you’re navigating digital transformation, sustainability reporting, or new leadership demands, upskilling is vital to staying ahead of the market.
Newcastle University offers a range of executive education and continuous professional development (CPD) programmes designed around sector-specific needs. From short courses to accredited qualifications, we help your team gain the knowledge and capabilities to lead with confidence.
What’s more, our co-designed programmes ensure relevance, flexibility, and impact—so your people can learn today and lead tomorrow.
Mechanical engineering students at Newcastle University. Credit: John Donoghue.
Grow talent through degree apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are a powerful way to develop your workforce while strengthening ties with a university.
We offer a growing portfolio of degree apprenticeships that combine academic study with on-the-job learning — ideal for businesses looking to build future-ready skills in areas like digital technology, engineering, and leadership.
Apprentices work full-time while studying, applying cutting-edge knowledge directly to their organisation’s challenges. These programmes not only help businesses address skills shortages and nurture in-house talent, but also support inclusive growth by creating new pathways into high-quality employment.
How do businesses work with universities?
But how do businesses actually work with universities? Where to start?
You don’t need to navigate this alone. We work with you to understand the nature of your business challenges, or even to help you pinpoint an opportunity to grown. Then, our Business Development team will help you to find the right scheme for you.
We make it easy to get started — no matter your size, sector, or stage of development. Some of the most popular routes include:
- collaborative research – work with our academics to co-develop new ideas, products or services
- student engagement – access talent through placements, internships, or student-led projects
- Knowledge Transfer Partnerships – de-risk innovation by embedding an innovation associate in your business with university support
- academic consultancy – solve specific challenges with expert insights
- licensing and IP – use or develop technology with clear pathways to commercialisation
- spin-outs & spin-ins – from campus to company, our company creation team transforms new ventures or develop existing businesses within the university environment
- executive education & upskilling – invest in your team through tailored learning programmes
- research facilities & services – access specialist labs, testing environments, and technical support
Our Business Development team is here to support you at every step—from identifying opportunities to connecting you with the right people and helping you access funding.
What’s the best way for you? Find out in our upcoming blog: How to Work with Newcastle University.
Business employees attend a talk at the Digital & Technology Solutions Apprenticeship Induction held at the Newcastle Helix innovation district. Credit: Chris Bishop.
What next?
Whether you want to develop new products, recruit talented graduates, improve your strategic resilience, gain access to new technologies, seek new streams of financial support, or just see what’s possible – working with a university offers a pathway to progress.
Success isn’t just about what you do—it’s about how you think, how you collaborate, and how you lead. Working with a university signals to your wider industry that your business is future-facing, strategic, and invested in positive impact.
Interested in finding out more? Contact us to find out how we might be able to help you and your business.
You might also like...
- get in touch to talk to our team about your business needs and future opportunities
- find out more about Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
- explore our portfolio of degree apprenticeships that combine academic study with on-the-job learning
- read more about how our company creation team transforms research discoveries into new companies
- explore our facilities, equipment, and resources available for industrial and academic research
- discover how apprenticeships build skills, attract talent, and boost your business in our recent blog
- read more about how and why we create new businesses in our blog
Header image credit: Elemental Photography