In an era when innovation ecosystems are under increasing pressure to deliver both societal and economic impact, the question is no longer whether collaboration matters—it’s how we make it work. Across the UK, universities and research organisations are recognising that by pooling their technology transfer capabilities, they can amplify impact, accelerate spinouts, and make knowledge exchange more sustainable.
This insight has been at the heart of the Research England Connecting Capability Fund – Research England Development (CCF-RED) programme, which piloted shared technology transfer office (TTO) models across 13 projects with £5 million of funding. Oxentia has been privileged to act as a partner on six of these pilots, helping design, implement, and evaluate shared service models that strengthen the commercialisation capacity of research institutions.
The case for shared services in knowledge exchange and technology transfer
Traditional TTO models are often resource-constrained, with limited access to specialised expertise or investor networks. Shared service models offer a strategic response: combining resources to achieve economies of scale, enabling smaller or emerging research institutions to access the same commercialisation power as their larger counterparts.
Through the CCF-RED pilot projects, shared TTO functions included:
- Joint investor networks and events, expanding access to capital.
- Entrepreneurs-in-residence and mentoring, nurturing early-stage ventures.
- Training and upskilling, embedding entrepreneurial culture among academics.
- Shared IP management frameworks, improving transparency and efficiency for professional services teams.
The results were compelling: numerous spinouts created, licensing deals completed, invention disclosures tracked, and hundreds of researchers trained in entrepreneurial skills. These outcomes demonstrate that collaboration, when structured correctly, drives both efficiency and impact.
Lessons learned: Collaboration in practice
Every shared service initiative is a balancing act—between local autonomy and collective strength. The UK pilot projects revealed several critical lessons:
- Flexibility is essential. Different institutional cultures and readiness levels require adaptable frameworks rather than one-size-fits-all models.
- Governance takes time. Establishing collaboration agreements early, with clear roles and shared objectives, builds long-term trust.
- Proximity matters. Co-location and regular in-person collaboration foster stronger relationships and faster decision-making.
- Entrepreneurial leadership is key. Entrepreneurs-in-residence and innovation mentors are catalysts for cultural change, helping academics think and act commercially.
- Diverse models work. From regional clusters to sector-based collaborations, success depends on designing around shared goals and existing strengths.
These lessons are not limited to the UK. As global economies seek to translate research into tangible value, shared services represent a scalable pathway to enhance innovation ecosystems worldwide.
Towards sustainable and scalable KE models
For Oxentia, the shared TTO experience reinforces our core mission: to translate knowledge into impact through strategic collaboration. As partners in the CCF-RED pilots, we have seen how shared services not only unlock latent potential but also create enduring frameworks for sustainable innovation management.
The next frontier is scaling these successes—embedding shared KE services within broader innovation strategies, connecting national and international networks, and leveraging digital tools to streamline collaboration.
Oxentia is expanding its work to:
- Develop data-driven KE frameworks for evidence-based decision-making;
- Continue to support and develop cross-sector innovation communities linking academia, industry, and investors;
- Support capacity-building programmes that embed commercialisation expertise globally.
As innovation becomes ever more interconnected, shared service models will be central to creating resilient, inclusive, and high-performing knowledge economies.
Conclusion
The CCF-RED pilots have shown that when universities and research organisations collaborate, the sum is far greater than the parts. Shared TTO services are not just a cost-efficiency measure—they are a strategic investment in the future of innovation.
At Oxentia, we believe the time is right to move from pilot to practice. By building on the UK’s lessons and applying them globally, we can transform the way knowledge is exchanged, technologies are transferred, and impact is delivered.
About Oxentia Ltd
Oxentia works with universities, research organisations, and innovation agencies worldwide to design and implement strategies for knowledge exchange, technology transfer, and innovation management. Drawing on decades of experience, Oxentia’s mission is to turn ideas into impact—helping institutions and ecosystems thrive in an increasingly connected world.