This year, TenU placed Proof-of-Concept (PoC) funding at the centre of our work. In partnership with Knowledge Exchange UK, the Russell Group and University Alliance, we have highlighted the barriers facing university commercialisation and the importance of accessible PoC support for economic growth. Together, this coalition now represents more than 120 universities and leading technology transfer organisations. We celebrated this collaboration at our Pathway to Growth event and continued the conversation through a new cross-sector working group focused on two questions: how to bring in private investment earlier, and how to build sustainable PoC models. We aim to publish guidance in the summer and invite those with relevant experience to contribute.

TenU RISE is designed to foster growth and development among tech transfer professionals through structured mentoring. Since starting the programme in 2024, we have had 41 participants from 34 institutions. The approach to mentoring TenU RISE takes is unique because it brings together an international network and its mentors are alumni of the TenU Future Leaders Programme and committed to inclusive leadership. TenU RISE makes a particularly valuable contribution to the tech transfer sector as it is still growing so there are limited opportunities to connect with and learn from professionals in other TTOs.  

TenU RISE is designed to foster growth and development among tech transfer professionals through structured mentoring. Since starting the programme in 2024, we have had 41 participants from 34 institutions. The approach to mentoring TenU RISE takes is unique because it brings together an international network and its mentors are alumni of the TenU Future Leaders Programme and committed to inclusive leadership. TenU RISE makes a particularly valuable contribution to the tech transfer sector as it is still growing so there are limited opportunities to connect with and learn from professionals in other TTOs.  

The TenU Edinburgh Study Tour in May 2025 highlighted the role of the Edinburgh Futures Institute as a hub for collaboration and innovation, emphasizing the importance of universities in demonstrating economic and social impact through research.

• Call to action at TenU event: “Pathway to Growth: Driving Innovation Further, Faster” on Tuesday 20 May.

• Government committed £40m over five years for academics-turned-founders to bridge ‘valley of death’ between research and commercialisation.

• But the fund is oversubscribed, and experts recommend a more ‘strategic and sophisticated’ approach in line with international rivals.