Newcastle Innovations to unlock faster routes to innovation and growth

Faster and easier access

Newcastle University has today launched Newcastle Innovations to make it faster and easier for businesses, investors and partners to collaborate with the University and turn ideas into growth.

Newcastle Innovations provides a single, joined up front door to the University’s innovation, commercialisation and partnership activity - simplifying access to expertise, facilities, talent, funding pathways and commercial support.

For organisations and investors, Newcastle Innovations offers a clear route into collaboration - whether co developing new technologies, accessing specialist research facilities, commissioning applied research, investing in high growth spin outs, or building skills for the future workforce.

Newcastle Innovations will build on a strong track record of activity across knowledge exchange and commercialisation including:

• 42 active spin-out companies that have attracted more than £90 million of investment in the past two years, and created more than 300 jobs
• in 2024/25, delivering more than more than 46,000 days of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Continuing Education
• flagship public engagement events including Discover Festival

Estelle Blanks, Director of Newcastle Innovations, at Newcastle University said: “From a business perspective, the idea is simple - a clear route into expertise, talent, facilities, and partnerships.

“We are responding directly to feedback from industry, so that more companies can access our support and expertise to accelerate growth, attract investment and create a skilled workforce.” 

Beyond this, the National Innovation Centre for Data based at Newcastle University has already supported the creation of 1,500 jobs and is forecast to boost the North East economy by £742 million over the next decade. 

Professor Jane Robinson, Pro Vice Chancellor for Business, Partnerships and Place at Newcastle University, added:

“Partnership working is at the heart of what we do. Newcastle Innovations is about removing barriers to turn ideas into impact.

“We are making it easier for organisations to collaborate with us locally, nationally and internationally, to deliver innovation and growth and tangible benefits for businesses, communities and society.”

Industry and University working together

Newcastle Innovations was launched at a special event with more than 170 businesses and other external partners at the Catalyst, at  the Newcastle Helix innovation district.

Among the companies taking part in the event was Pentland, which includes premier outdoor clothing brand Berghaus, based in the North East.

Pentland partnered with Newcastle Innovations to develop new legwear technology that would adapt to women’s bodies and support them to feel truly comfortable when exploring the outdoors.

Biomechanical modelling and physiological analysis was carried out at Newcastle University’s advanced sport and exercise research facilities to refine the final design of the new product, and Berghaus is now incorporating ZonalAdapt into all of its legwear. 

Working with partners across culture, education and public life, these activities help strengthen connections between the University and the wider community. 

If you’re interested in finding out more about working together, visit the Newcastle Innovations website.