Research Park 2023 Highlights Magazine

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Innovate, Grow, Thrive –Welcome to Surrey Research Park

Surrey Research Park is a vibrant community where innovative start-ups and established businesses thrive.

Set in landscaped and rich biodiverse surroundings, we offer a range of space options for you to launch and grow your business. From co-working spaces in the Surrey Technology Centre and at Rocketdesk to versatile units up to 40,000 sq ft, the Park caters to a range of business needs.

Our spaces are ideal for fostering innovation in a setting that blends natural beauty with technological advancement. Plus, with flexible tenancy options and a supportive ecosystem, all underpinned by our connection to the University of Surrey, we offer more than just an address:

Our tenants also benefit from: Instant membership to sector Cluster ecosystems offering unequalled networking, collaborations and access to funding opportunities for Cyber & Digital, Space, Sustainability, Space, Human Health and Animal Health

Unique opportunities to recruit and work with top talent from the University of Surrey, collaborate with world-leading institutions

Growth support opportunities for start-ups via SETsquared Surrey

Access to funding opportunities including via the S100 Angel Investors Club

Strengthen the offer to your employee with our programme of social and networking events, discounted gym membership at the region’s flagship Surrey Sports Centre, discounted child day care options and ample parking

Whether you’re a long-term tenant, a new business that has just joined us or are considering locating on the Park for the first time – we’re here for you.

Here. We go.

Welcome to our annual highlights from another year buzzing with innovation and industry on the Surrey Research Park. In these pages you can read about some of the companies that contribute so much to the Surrey and UK economies. This year the University published its Economic Impact Report – which put a value on all of our innovation activities, including those directly linked to the work on the Park. The Gross Value Added of these innovation activities comes in at £660 million per annum – with 7,640 jobs directly or indirectly supported by Research Park and wider Innovation activities.

The University of Surrey has always been an actively engaged owner of the Surrey Research Park. It is an integral part of our vision of a University that delivers transformational research and teaching, contributing to a better world. That can only be achieved with the active involvement of a thriving private sector, to make a commercial success of new research and innovation and to provide the graduate jobs on which the future economy will thrive.

This year, I took on an expanded role at the University, as Director of the Surrey Innovation District, including leadership of the Surrey Research Park relationships.

The Surrey Innovation District is the beating heart of innovation in Surrey – committed

Caroline Fleming Director, Surrey Innovation District

to driving growth and attracting national and international investment for the region. Led by the University of Surrey, it combines the knowledge, innovation and collaboration resources we offer businesses to help them grow with the physical assets of the Surrey Research Park. But it’s more than that – it’s our facilitation of a connected network of innovation stakeholders, exemplified by the University’s active role in the region’s network of innovation clusters – from Space South Central and the Animal Health Innovation Network to the Games and Innovation Nexus (GAIN) and the Surrey Cyber Security Cluster.

Our vision is to draw together the industry, academic and civic contributions and collaborations that support start-ups and growing businesses of all shapes and sizes to drive regional growth and positive societal impact. Whether you’re a longterm tenant, a new business that has just joined us or are considering locating on the Park for the first time – we’re here for you. We can help facilitate connections with other businesses and partners who make up one of the growing innovation clusters of which the Park is a part, with access to facilities, and with access to the many other resources and services that make up our innovation offer.

SRP in numbers

203

Companies operating from the Park

69

Companies supported through the SETsquared Surrey Incubator

80%

average occupancy throughout 2023

First dedicated innovation park nationally to join the Better Buildings Partnership to drive enhanced sustainability in commercial real estate

Over

25% of companies provided work experience took interns or employed placement students from the University of Surrey

+5 x

~£12m

Substantial financial performance with income

130+

Woman entrepreneurs connected via the Surrey Women’s Entrepreneurship Network

100+

Connected to Surrey Research Park through Space South Central – the UK’s largest regional space cluster

increase in number of companies having student projects of the largest gaming clusters outside of London Surrey (Guildford Games Cluster) and Warwickshire (Silicon Spa) connected via the Games and Innovation Nexus (GAIN)

Green Flag awarded to University of Surrey’s commitment to biodiversity, sustainability, and beautiful grounds maintenance

TWO

Human and Animal healthcare

The Research Park is home to a burgeoning cluster of firms working in human and animal health. The University is prioritising multidisciplinary research that recognises the close links between human and animal health – our ‘One Health, One Medicine’ approach.

Partnerships are key to our approach – with our NHS partners, including at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, with national and international agencies, and, of course, with business and commercial partners.

On these pages, we showcase the launch of vHive – which brings together the University’s School of Veterinary Medicine and global animal health giant Zoetis to drive innovation in animal health. This work and the equally important part we play with our partners in nurturing and supporting small businesses in the sector at the Surrey Heartlands Health Tech Accelerator are all part of our shared vision to ensure the M3 corridor becomes one of the preeminent places in the world to deliver human and animal health research,

The Research Park is home to a burgeoning cluster of firms working in human and animal health.

Virtual Cath Lab (VCL)

Scanning technology revolutionises heart disease diagnosis

Medical imaging start-up Virtual Cath Lab (VCL), in partnership with its clinical host Surrey Cardiovascular Clinic (SCVC), which was established in 2006, operates as a highly efficient “one-stop shop”, offering a wide range of screening and consultation services to diagnose and prevent heart disease.

In 2020, the company launched ‘Heartscan Direct’, a service which utilises trailblazing CT heart scanning technology and software to digitally produce an exact 3D ‘virtual’ version of the heart in seconds.

When combined with image data processing techniques from Caristo in Oxford and Heartflow in Stamford USA, the AI allows early detection and diagnosis of heart disease and other coronary issues, without the need for patients to undergo invasive testing.

SCVC/VCLs vision is to be the face of the solution to the NHS problem, as instead of just providing diagnostic imaging, like so many of the NHS Community Diagnosis Centres (CDC), it redeploys an entire specialist multidisciplinary team from the hospital to a community setting. This refocusing of resources provides the infrastructure required to provide both prevention and efficient one stop diagnostics for those patients presenting with symptoms.

With half of all heart disease presenting as a heart attack or sudden death, SCVC/VCLs new heart wellness initiative will likely be welcomed by companies in the southeast of the UK because the technology may help to reduce workplace sickness and absences.

The cooperation and support of Surrey Research Park has been paramount to the services that VCL and SCVC are providing. The Park is the ideal environment to foster medical developments, which could drive innovation across the country

Dr Edward Leatham, Managing Director of VCL

Futura Medical

Topical ED treatment receives FDA approval

Surrey Research Park has played, and continues to play, an important role in Futura Medical’s R&D innovations. In June, the pharmaceutical company celebrated a huge milestone – its breakthrough erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment MED3000 was granted US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for over-the-counter (OTC) sale Marketing Authorisation.

MED3000, which is currently being launched under the brand name Eroxon®, is a fast-acting topical gel clinically proven for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Eroxon® works by promoting sensory stimulation of the nerves on the head (glans) of the penis by rapid cooling and recovery warming, leading to rapid smooth muscle relaxation, vasodilation and erection.

The product addresses significant unmet needs in the ED market, boasting two key differentiators. The first is its speed of onset; it helps men get an erection within 10 minutes, whilst competitor treatments on the market, such as Viagra, typically take 30 to 60 minutes to have an effect.

One of the things that originally attracted us to Surrey Research Park was the location as it was close to where our team members lived.

Within the Surrey Technology Centre, we’re able to rent fully-serviced offices on a relatively short-term lease. We originally used one unit, but are now using three, and have shrunk it back depending on what’s going on, which has been convenient.

James Barder, Futura Medical CEO

The second differentiator is MED3000’s recently- approved over-the-counter status, which means the treatment is available to purchase without the need for a doctor’s prescription, making it highly accessible.

Working with its commercial partners, Futura Medical is poised for the long-term distribution of MED3000 across the globe. The rights to the product have been outlicensed in Europe, the Middle East and Latin America to several companies. Whilst initial launches have commenced under the brand name Eroxon®, with the product currently available in the UK and Belgium, further launches have already commenced with

MedPharm

Development of topical and transdermal treatments continues

Topical drug products are gaining increasing favour among organisations and patients, primarily due to their user-friendly administration and ability to improve lives. MedPharm has been a steadfast supporter of pharmaceutical organisations in the development of topical drug products since 1999, establishing its first standalone facility at Surrey Research Park in 2006.

Leveraging the support provided by the Park, MedPharm has experienced impressive growth, reaffirming the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional services in the development and manufacturing of topical and transdermal products for organisations worldwide.

MedPharm’s team of experts specialise in developing, refining, translating and validating processes that allow clients to move seamlessly from early-stage development into late-stage production. A notable recent advancement involves Swiss-based Mosanna Therapeutics choosing MedPharm for the development of an innovative nasal spray specifically designed to address Metabolic Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This groundbreaking collaboration holds promise for advancing the treatment of this condition.

Datar Cancer Genetics

A leap forward in the diagnosis of inaccessible brain tumours

In January 2023, Datar Cancer Genetics, a world-leading oncology research and applications company specialising in non-invasive cancer detection, diagnosis and management, which has advanced testing facilities at Surrey Research Park, received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ‘Breakthrough Device Designation’ for its revolutionary blood test to help in the diagnosis of brain tumours.

Datar Cancer Genetics’ risk-free and patient-friendly liquid biopsy, dubbed TriNetra-Glio, has been developed to detect the cells released in the blood from the brain tumour, which are extremely rare and notoriously difficult to detect. It is indicated for patients where a brain biopsy, although necessary, cannot be performed or has been unsuccessful due to the location of the tumour or other constraints.

Following a blinded, prospective study on TriNetra-Glio, results showed that the liquid biopsy detects brain tumours with high accuracy. TriNetra-Glio is the third test from Datar Cancer Genetics to have been granted ‘Breakthrough Device Designation’. It previously secured approval for its tests for early-stage detection of breast and prostate cancers.

AURA Veterinary

Improving outcomes in canine cancer

This work helps to highlight the realisation that the diagnosis of cancer does not need to be an endpoint for patients.

During 2023, AURA Veterinary - a tenant at the Surrey Research Park since 2016 - has continued to publish a number of important discoveries in the field of veterinary oncology. This research activity sits alongside their daily activity as a busy, specialist veterinary hospital, providing world-leading treatments for animals with cancer, and other complex conditions. In 2023, the results of 11 original clinical studies were published in the international veterinary literature or presented at major conferences.

In veterinary medicine, specific treatment of metastatic cancer in dogs and cats has historically been avoided, due to the perception that once a cancer had spread the prognosis was considered poor. However, in two studies, the importance of managing metastatic disease in different cancer conditions was identified. For insulinoma, an insulin-secreting tumour of the pancreas, the team explored the importance of measuring blood glucose during removal of the tumour. By detecting when blood glucose levels had started to rise during surgery, the surgeons were able to remove previously occult deposits of tumour. Because more metastatic disease was removed at surgery, the survival time for affected patients was significantly improved over historical expectations.

In a second study, the team at AURA highlighted the importance of regular monitoring of patients following cancer treatment. By enabling prompt treatment of recurrent tumour when or if it occurred, significantly improved patient outcomes were found when compared to patients who did not attend follow-up appointments after surgery. This work helps to highlight the realisation that the diagnosis of cancer does not need to be an endpoint for patients. While cure may not always be possible, advances in treatment and patient care are allowing our canine patients to live longer and better with their cancer.

AURA Veterinary also has important collaborations with University of Surrey, as well as colleagues from around the world.

vHive/Zoetis

vHive drives development of next-generation animal health innovations

The Veterinary Health Innovation Engine (vHive) was first launched in 2015 through a strategic partnership between the new University of Surrey School of Veterinary Medicine and Zoetis, the world’s largest animal health company.

Since then, it has become an international player in animal health research, acting as the catalyst for bringing together partners across the M3 corridor into the UK government’s High Potential Opportunity – showcasing that Surrey and South East England are some of the best places globally to conduct animal health research.

In 2023, this exciting initiative transitioned to the next phase- vHive 2.0. The launch of vHive 2.0 at the Royal Society in March 2023 marked a renewed drive toward leveraging the latest technologies developed mainly for human medicine including AI, biomarkers, big data and health informatics to improve animal health.

vHive’s updated mission strapline is: “From Data to Information to Actionable Insights and Solutions in Veterinary Medicine.” This encapsulates the journey from interdisciplinary approaches to bridging translational gaps and delivering new products and solutions to market, ultimately enhancing animal health by supporting veterinarians, pet owners and farmers where current research to date has been limited.

To advance animal health, it is important to utilise all the available data and use it well with modern artificial intelligence methods. vHive will break down silos that have existed in the past, developing multidisciplinary research for improved animal health.

Tony Whetton, Director of vHive, Professor of Translational Biosystems

Digital

Over the past year, the world has experienced one of the most significant technological revolutions in recent memory, with Generative AI making waves and integrating seamlessly into our daily lives.

At Surrey Research Park, the University of Surrey has led the way in commercialising research in AI and broader digital applications to deliver positive societal outcomes. Supported through our SETsquared Surrey business incubator, businesses have raised funding and achieved notable growth.

This includes Signapse, which developed a way of using AI to generate video sign language to enhance accessibility for hearing impaired people, and Direk, which offers smart building management via Internet of Things and AI technology. Digital innovation leaders include Renew Risk, which is disrupting fintech with cutting-edge solutions for insuring renewable energy assets and Sammi-Select, whose platform aims to improve inclusivity for neurodivergent individuals by combatting bias in recruitment processes.

Alongside our ecosystem of start-ups and SMEs, our vibrant Park community is also home to several global companies that are developing advanced digital technologies for international markets. This includes BAE Digital Intelligence, which in 2023

developed and delivered advanced new border security technologies.

All of these examples show how digital technology developed at the Park during 2023 is making a positive contribution to society and each of our lives today. Read on to find out more details about each company’s achievement.

Looking ahead, Surrey Research Park will continue to enable the growth and innovation of digital, AI and gaming ventures by providing unparalleled support and access to investment opportunities and world-class facilities.

Looking ahead, Surrey Research Park will continue to enable the growth and innovation of digital, AI and gaming ventures by providing unparalleled support and access to investment opportunities and world-class facilities.

Signapse

Technology to transform sign language translation

Operating from Surrey Research Park, Signapse leads the charge in transforming sign language interpretation worldwide, offering life-changing improvements for deaf individuals globally. Established in 2022, this innovative startup aims to provide an affordable, accessible solution, ensuring seamless access to services for sign language users.

At the core of Signapse’s innovation lies a cutting-edge photo-realistic digital signer, meticulously crafted to mirror a human signer with striking realism, courtesy of advanced AI video generation techniques. This digital signer breathes life into recorded data, text and audio, using Generative AI.

The scarcity of interpreters, with only one interpreter available for approximately every 300 deaf individuals worldwide, underscores the pressing need for innovative solutions.

Currently, a staggering 98% of businesses struggle to communicate their offerings effectively to the 7 million profoundly deaf people globally. In response, Signapse’s objective is not to replace human signers but to significantly increase the availability of signed content, particularly in situations where human interpretation proves challenging.

Signapse receives support from the SETsquared Surrey business incubation hub. Its development journey has been predominantly funded through external investments, with a pre-seed funding round and part-match funding from the University of Surrey. These resources not only enabled the team to create their debut product but also provided valuable insights into the areas where Signapse’s technology is most in demand, with transportation and broadcast media emerging as the top two target markets.

We wanted Signapse to share the same belonging at Surrey and use the Surrey Research Park to achieve this. The team have provided a lot of valuable advice and links throughout our time here so far.

Sally Chalk, Signapse CEO

Direk

Harnessing the capabilities of advanced occupancy monitoring and location tracking

The 2023 Surrey Business Awards marked another triumph for Surrey Research Park-headquartered software development company Direk, as it scooped the “Highly Commended” accolade in the coveted ‘Business Innovation of the Year’ category.

Specialising in AI-based occupancy-centric building management, Direk employs proprietary indoor radar technology and advanced AI to optimise resource allocation, ensuring an ideal equilibrium between occupant comfort and energy and carbon efficiency. Working closely with design consultancy firms, BMS providers, healthcare professionals and universities, the startup is on a mission to help businesses tackle energy saving, space utilisation, health and safety and indoor navigation challenges.

Initially focusing on indoor location technology, Direk adapted during the Covid outbreak, transforming its solution into an indoor radar technology to monitor proximity and aid virus spread control without requiring applications. In response to market demands, the company shifted in 2021 to reduce energy consumption in buildings. Direk’s patented occupancy monitoring and location tracking solutions have been globally validated, including a project with Hilson Moran resulting in a remarkable 30% energy cost reduction.

Collaborating with institutions like the University of Surrey, Direk aims for continuous improvement through AI and machine learning. Driven by scalability, accuracy, and ease of use, the enduring vision is to provide a comprehensive building solution, expanding into HVAC controls and enhancing system intelligence.

The ecosystem at the Park is brilliant and there are very good programmes for networking. We are very pleased to be a part of such a dynamic community.

Dr Amir Taba, Co-founder and CEO of Direk

BAE Systems Digital Intelligence

The collaboration will provide border personnel and associated parties with actionable, secure and clearcut intelligence.

Developing advanced risk analytics services to protect the UK’s border

Surrey Research Park’s own BAE Systems Digital Intelligence partnered with the Home Office to develop data analysis technology aimed at enhancing border security in the UK and simplifying procedures for both traders and travellers.

The three-year contract, valued at £38 million, will enable Border Force and related agencies to manage, in real time, the vast amounts of data relating to the 300 million passenger journeys and 385 million tonnes of freight that enter the UK every year.

The collaboration will provide border personnel and associated parties with actionable, secure and clear-cut intelligence, enabling them to streamline and augment the process of threat detection and intervention so they can go on to make well-informed, timely decisions regarding potential threats and criminal activities.

Furthermore, these capabilities will grant the government the ability to securely connect and analyse data over extended periods, granting insights into the broader context and macro trends, thereby aiding in the formulation of long-term strategic objectives.

Renew Risk

Funding supports scale-up of risk modelling software for renewable energy assets

SETsquared Surrey member Renew Risk has secured £1.7m of seed funding –a significant milestone in its mission to develop and scale a suite of Fintech SaaS solutions designed for financing and insuring renewable assets.

Established in November 2021 and officially launched in September 2023, Renew Risk is a spin-in from the University of Surrey providing the world’s first offshore wind farm insurance models. The company’s robust software, driven by deep data science, allows insurers, reinsurers and insurance brokers to assess the risk of natural disasters in hurricane or earthquake-prone regions such as

the US, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Australia, and incorporate that into the pricing of premium of these large billion-dollar assets.

By securing insurance for these vital offshore wind projects, Renew Risk is simultaneously encouraging investors to support the ongoing transition to sustainable energy solutions. This approach promises to yield several key benefits for the insurance industry, including decreased losses, heightened efficiency in risk management, an expanded market presence and an overall boost in capacity.

The most recent funding round was led by Insurtech Gateway along with One Planet Capital, the University of Surrey, S100 Club and super angels Chris Adelsbach and Rahul Munjal.

Sammi Select

Surrey leader wins

‘Women in Innovation’ award

Dr Alison Callwood, Surrey academic and CEO of SETsquared Surrey’s Sammi-Select, based at Surrey Research Park, has been honoured with an prestigious Innovate UK ‘Women in Innovation’ award for her commitment to combatting bias against neurodivergent individuals.

Dr Callwood is spearheading a project at the University of Surrey to develop online technologies to help neurodivergent people successfully enter the workforce. Generating Neurodiverse Inclusion Selection (GENIUS) explores what communication methods and personalisation options could be used to optimise access and performance in online interviews and assessments for those with neurodiverse conditions such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia.

The project builds on Dr Callwood’s previous successes in developing SAMMI, an interview tool which reduces bias and provides robust, reliable and cost-efficient interviews and assessments for employers.

The prestigious accolade comes with £50,000 of funding, providing Dr Callwood with access to tailored business coaching, mentoring and a wide range of networking and training opportunities designed to help grow the GENIUS project.

Receiving the Woman in Innovation Award was a great honour but I would be unable to deliver on this important work centred around neuroinclusive selection without my team and the support from SetSquared Surrey. Operating from Surrey Research Park enables vital opportunities for collaboration and networking for which I am very grateful.

Dr Alison Callwood, Surrey academic and CEO of SETsquared Surrey’s Sammi-Select

Sustainability

From DNA-level soil analysis to disrupting the EV charging market, companies on the Surrey Research Park are delivering high-tech and commercially successful contributions to tackling climate change. We’re developing an exciting cluster of firms operating in the sustainability sector. Of course, operating sustainably is important to businesses in all sectors, just as it is to the University. At a practical level, the university estates Sustainability lead is working with tenants, facilitating shared solutions and sharing best practice from across the international science park community.

The University has recently launched its new Institute for Sustainability – bringing together researchers and working across all its faculties. The Institute is determined to deliver real change, alongside cutting-edge research. The living embodiment of this is its new Sustainability Innovation Hub – designed to support firms large and small with making real changes to the sustainability of their operations.

Whether it is supporting businesses seeking to achieve commercial success in the sustainability sector, or supporting successful businesses to be more sustainable, the University and the businesses on the Surrey Research Park working together are a powerful combination.

Accelerating the transition to EV ipTEST

ipTEST develops unique electrical testing equipment which is widely used in the manufacture of electric vehicles (EVs) to ensure they operate reliably and safely. A testament to its breakthrough innovations, in April 2023, the company was honoured with the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise, in the Innovation category, recognising DS5, a cutting-edge product which performs advanced tests at exceptionally high speeds.

At the heart of every electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle is a collection of small yet mighty high-power electronic chips which supply power from the vehicle’s battery to the motors, and return it to the battery during braking. These chips need to operate reliably

100% of the time, and therefore, must undergo advanced testing.

With DS5, ipTEST applies high voltages and electrical currents which far exceed what the chips will ever experience during normal driving to have the resilience to comfortably stand up to everyday use.

In 2021, ipTEST, having outgrown its former location, made the strategic move to relocate to Surrey Research Park to facilitate expansion. Coinciding with the King’s Award for Enterprise, this spring, the company took on a lease of a second building at the Park – a spacious ground-floor facility located next door to its current home on Priestly Road, which will further bolster manufacturing capacity to cater to increasing demand.

I think moving to Surrey Research Park at the time we did was very important. We outgrew our previous facility and when we moved into our current units, we thought we’d have all the space we would ever need. However, we immediately filled up both floors of the building, within as little as a year! Having Surrey Research Park offices and overflow space has been incredibly helpful, and we’ve been able to use temporary leases and temporary space at the Park to further expand our manufacturing.

Dr Conor McCarthy, Managing Director at ipTEST

NatureMetrics

The NatureMetrics Intelligence Platform will transform how organisations assess and report their impacts on nature.

The world’s first nature intelligence platform powered by environmental DNA

Surrey Research Park’s NatureMetrics is the first company in the world to launch a Nature Intelligence subscription service powered by environmental DNA (eDNA) technology, converting the intricacies of nature into meaningful insights for corporate sustainability teams to take action.

The NatureMetrics Intelligence Platform will transform how organisations assess and report their impacts on nature.

It streamlines the process of reporting species and ecosystem impacts, aligning with the latest nature reporting standards, including the Taskforce for Nature-related

Financial Disclosures (TNFD), the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Science-based Targets for Nature (SBTN).

In an era where businesses are increasingly accountable for their impact on nature, the NatureMetrics Intelligence Platform enables organisations to comprehensively measure and report their environmental footprint at a significant scale. This, in turn, facilitates effective biodiversity management to improve outcomes for nature on the ground.

Reserve & Charge

EV charging reservation management platform takes off

Reserve & Charge is shaping the future of electric vehicle (EV) charging through its smart reservation platform, which officially launched in March 2023 after over a year of extensive product development.

The lack of EV charging infrastructure in the UK is resulting in “charging uncertainty” as EV users struggle to find accessible, available and reliable charging points. Reserve & Charge – from the team behind Surrey Research Park-based software development company Reserve & Charge Limited – is putting forward smartly managed public EV charging station reservations as a solution.

Working with charge point operators across the country, the platform allows users to reserve charging points at specific locations and specific times and dates for their journeys, providing much-needed assurance around the availability of chargers. It comes off the back of Reserve & Charge’s (former Accelogress’s) Save-a-Space app, a reservation and parking management platform for train and tram station car

parks, currently deployed at 10 Transport for West Midlands Park and Ride locations in the West Midlands, UK.

On top of an initial Innovate UK grant, since 2023 the company has collected around £165,000 in angel investment. Reserve & Charge is now focused on building an MVP of this proposition with the prospect of running some pilots in 2024, and will be looking for further angel or similar early-stage investment and seed funding thereafter to scale.

One of the most rewarding aspects is the opportunity to connect with people navigating different points in their paths. Companies actively collaborate, extending mutual support by discussing shared challenges and providing advice. Additionally, the community fosters excellent networking avenues, including engaging breakfast events and social gatherings, and the links with the University of Surrey have proven highly beneficial, facilitating our acquisition and retention of top-quality talent, including two University graduates.

Ralf Kernchen, Founder and CEO of Reserve & Charge

Space

University of Surrey research and Surrey Research Park businesses have long come together in the field of space. SSTL remains one of our most successful spin outs –and it is a relationship that remains close to this day. We’re building on those foundations, working with the UK Space Agency and our regional partners to drive forward the Space South Central business and innovation cluster. A shining example of our ability to work together to create opportunities for growth and collaboration.

A tangible example of what we can deliver came this year with Government funding for the SpaceCraft initiative at Surrey – a project that boosts the skills and resources needed for a thriving space sector. This has seen a space engineer hired to work on campus in the Surrey Space Centre, with a focus on allowing small businesses access to the kind of high-tech facilities only an organisation of the size and scale of the University can readily offer. Read on to discover more examples of how companies on the Park are innovating to make space even more accessible and commercially viable.

We’re building on those foundations, working with the UK Space Agency and our regional partners to drive forward the Space South Central business and innovation cluster.

Satellite Vu

Harnessing thermal imaging technology

UK space and climate tech company Satellite Vu put its thermal imaging satellite technology to the test in a partnership with Surrey Research Park that saw the earth observation specialists perform a series of flights across the 70-acre landscape to map the built environment and provide data on the level of heat loss across buildings in the Park.

Satellite Vu’s mission is to enhance climate resilience for public and private organisations by deploying a constellation of heat-sensing satellites. These satellites, equipped with cutting-edge mid-wave infrared cameras, will monitor real-time temperatures in both natural and built environments, offering insights into economic activity, energy efficiency and disaster response.

The ground-breaking satellites are the result of a collaborative effort with Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL). The inaugural satellite took to the skies in June 2023 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Over the next two to three years, an additional seven will go into orbit.

At Surrey Research Park, Satellite Vu is conducting a five-stage programme consisting of an aerial thermal imaging campaign, data processing, thermal analysis, energy consumption modelling and interactive real-time data presentation. The data validates Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for buildings in the Park, which mostly sit between B and E, necessitating retrofitting upgrades to comply with forthcoming legislation by the end of the decade.

Climate technology remains key for organisations to achieve net zero through retrofitting action, and our project with Surrey Research Park represents a scalable solution to this issue; opening opportunities at every campus or industrial park in the UK, and a blueprint for housing associations and portfolio owners.

Anthony Baker, Co-founder and CEO of Satellite Vu

Airbus Defence

‘Space skin’ can help future satellites and spacecraft harvest energy

Joint research from the University of Surrey and Surrey Research Park company Airbus Defence and Space has unveiled the potential of a ‘space skin’ that not only protects spacecraft and satellites from harsh solar radiation but also harnesses energy for future missions.

The innovative nano-coating developed by the research team, known as the Multifunctional Nanobarrier Structure (MFNS), has demonstrated a remarkable ability to lower the operating temperatures of space-qualified structures, reducing them from 120°C to 60°C. The MFNS can be applied at room temperature, thanks to a purpose-built application system, making it compatible with a

spacecraft’s sensors and advanced composite materials.

The MSFN consists of a buffer layer made of poly(p-xylylene) and a dimond-like-carbon superlattice layer, creating a highly robust and environmentally stable platform. This unique structure equips the MFNS to shield a spacecraft from threats such as atomic oxygen (AO) and ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Its dielectric nature, which preserves transparency across a wide range of radio frequencies, means the MSFN can be applied to highly sensitive payloads and structures, including antennas, without significant performance interference.

Furthermore, the research team has also discovered the capability to modify the amount of AO and UV absorption and harvesting while a craft operates in low-earth orbit.

...ability to lower the operating temperatures of space-qualified structures, reducing them

from 120°C to 60°C.

This is the agency’s first fund dedicated to building international partnerships.

UK Space Agency funding secured SSTL

Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), along with partners Assimilia, RAL Space, CSIRO Space & Astronomy and SmartSat CRC, has been awarded funding from the UK Space Agency’s inaugural International Bilateral Fund investment phase.

This is the agency’s first fund dedicated to building international partnerships. SSTL’s specific activities will focus on the creation of an integrated ground-to-space national water quality monitoring system, effectively in line with activities for CSIRO’s AquaWatch programme in Australia.

Last year (2023) saw the launch of several exciting initiatives at Surrey Research Park to benefit the wider innovation community and pave the way for a transformative 2024.

From Surrey Women’s Entrepreneurship Network, bridging the gender gap and empowering women, and iTek, fostering talent to meet the demand for advanced A.I skills, through to GAIN, a catalyst for transforming in the videogames industry.

Read on to learn more about the exciting developments initiated last year and discover how they are setting the stage for a year of unparalleled achievement and collaboration.

Explore the stories of progress and partnership and see how these initiatives are shaping the future of technology, entrepreneurship, and game development.

Community Networks

SWEN

Empowering Female Entrepreneurs: Surrey Research Park Launches New Network for Women Entrepreneurs

In December 2023, the Surrey Research Park launched its groundbreaking Surrey Women’s Entrepreneurship Network (SWEN). This is a pivotal initiative designed to bolster women’s roles in entrepreneurship within Surrey’s vibrant innovation ecosystem.

SWEN’s mission is clear: to bridge the gender gap prevalent in entrepreneurship and to empower women to develop and expand their business ventures effectively.

Members aim to cultivate an inclusive community that supports and empowers female entrepreneurs, providing a nurturing environment for growth and collaboration.

By offering networking events, educational workshops, and a platform for sharing

experiences, SWEN seeks to enhance the skills, knowledge, and networks of women in business. These aims align with the fifth United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

During December’s launch event attendees participated in panel discussions, listened to keynotes, and shared personal entrepreneurial journeys – many highlight the challenges and successes in securing finance and building networks.

As Surrey Research Park continues to foster innovation, the establishment of SWEN marks a significant step forward in our commitment to inclusivity and equity in entrepreneurship.

Innovative Clusters

GAIN

GAIN aims to bridge the gap between academic research and the intellectual propertysensitive gaming sector.

Leading the Future of Gaming Innovation with GAIN

In 2023, The University of Surrey successfully secured £1.5 million in funding from Research England to help the gaming industry address challenges and foster a vibrant innovation ecosystem.

The Games and Innovation Nexus (GAIN), which operates from Surrey Research Park for The University of Surrey, aims to bridge the gap between academic research and the intellectual property-sensitive gaming sector.

GAIN will work to connect and enhance the two largest gaming clusters outside of London – the Surrey (Guildford Games

Cluster) and Warwickshire (Silicon Spa) –fostering unprecedented collaboration and creativity within the UK’s CreaTech industry.

It will also see the creation of a new Games Innovation Zone at the University and a town centre incubation centre at the University of Creative Arts at Farnham.

Through GAIN, the University of Surrey and the wider Surrey Innovation District, with the Park at its heart, will drive innovation and foster the next generation of gaming talent to create unparalleled video game experiences that reinforce the region’s position as a leader in gaming development.

Future Talent

Driving business innovation and collaboration through student placements iTEK

The University of Surrey has unveiled the iTEK READY4INNOVATION programme, a pioneering initiative backed by the ERA to sponsor MSc students in Machine Learning and Visualisations.

This programme aims to foster high-quality knowledge exchange between students and regional organisations, offering a fresh perspective and new skills in artificial intelligence.

Through iTEK, regional businesses, including those based at Surrey Research Park, have the unique opportunity to collaborate with proactive student teams on innovative project briefs during placements lasting up to eight weeks. This initiative not only provides practical solutions for business models and market awareness but also sharpens the skills of future AI experts in Electech. Notably, these placements, encompassing a total of 280 student hours, are offered at no cost to organisations thanks to ERA funding, providing each student group with £1,000 to cover project-related expenses.

This programme aims to foster high-quality knowledge exchange between studentsand regional organisations, offering a fresh perspective and new skills in artificial intelligence.

Forging the Future: Industry Collaboration in AI and Sustainability

In 2023, the University of Surrey’s Institute for Sustainability continued to showcase its commitment to pioneering sustainability research and innovation, further establishing itself as a leader in this critical field.

Building upon its launch in December 2022, the Institute engaged in a variety of activities throughout 2023, aimed at advancing sustainable solutions across diverse sectors. Its commitment to interdisciplinary research has been evident, focusing on a wide array of sustainability areas. These include advancements in AI and sustainability, energy and the environment, governance, equality, and sustainability among others. By harnessing collaboration across all disciplines and with businesses, including some based at the Surrey Research Park, the institution will develop comprehensive solutions for environmental, technological, social, economic, and governance challenges.

Throughout the year, the Institute has facilitated significant engagement with the wider community, including businesses and SMEs, through collaboration opportunities, consultancy, training, education, and access to equipment and facilities.

The institute brings together leading minds from various disciplines

In 2023, the Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI continued to strengthen its position as a hub for artificial intelligence research, training, and innovation, with a distinct focus on the human dimension of AI technology. The institute brings together leading minds from various disciplines, including vision, speech and signal processing, computer science, mathematics, and domain expertise across a broad range of fields such as engineering, health, law, business, and social sciences. Its mission revolves around augmenting human capabilities and ensuring AI serves as a responsible and inclusive force for societal good.

The Institute is actively engaged with industry, creating collaboration and knowledge sharing and transfer opportunities for businesses based at Surrey Research Park, along with the public sector, government, and AI organisations to foster an inclusive and responsible AI-driven economy.

Collaborations

Unlock Competitive Advantages with University of Surrey Collaborations

Collaborating with the University of Surrey can give your company a competitive edge by enabling access to top-tier academic expertise and world-class facilities. We offer several partnership opportunities to help Surrey Research Park and Surrey Innovation District businesses of all sizes and sectors.

These are designed to help businesses accelerate their research and innovation and stay ahead in a fast-paced market.

To find out more about collaboration opportunities available to members of the Surrey Research Park community, email sales@surrey.ac.uk to schedule a call to discuss your requirements.

Contract Research / PhD Studentships

• Access high-level skills and innovative thinking from PhD and early career researchers.

• Engage in collaborative projects with the potential for your business to retain created intellectual property.

• Benefit from fresh perspectives to solve your challenges and drive your business forward.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)

• Duration: 12 to 36 months, tailored to business needs.

• Collaborate with a university-linked recent graduate or postgraduate to work on your business challenges.

• Includes expertise from senior academics, the associate’s employment cost, mentoring, and access to the University’s facilities.

SME Innovation Voucher Scheme

• Access vouchers valued between £5,000 and £10,000 to address significant challenges via academic expertise or advanced facilities.

• Tailored for UK-based SMEs to foster innovation and growth through academic collaboration.

Economic and Social Research CouncilImpact Acceleration Account (UKRI IAA)

• Research relating to the social sciences can tap into specific UK Research and Innovation funding for opportunities to collaborate with the University on research to create and deliver long-lasting societal benefits.

For further details please contact: Surrey Research Park Office, The Surrey Technology Centre, 40 Occam Road, The Surrey Research Park, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7YG W: surrey-research-park.com T: 01483 579693 E: sales@surrey.ac.uk @ SurreyRP @ Surreyrp Surrey Research Park