Engagement
Connecting people,
money and knowledge.
We have a strong network across the whole innovation system in the UK and beyond, including people and organisations from the technology sector, networks and clusters, finance and research. And we leverage these relationships to close potential gaps our clients are facing, and to help good innovations to thrive.
We bring people together to exchange knowledge and make connections. That includes stakeholder engagement programs, thematic workshops and sandpits. We also help to manage and facilitate industrial partnerships and consortiums from conception to successful completion, including Innovate UK and European projects.
Our team of expert facilitators and program managers do all that striving for excellence whilst delivering a professional, effective and enjoyable experience to all involved.
Case studies
We have been facilitating engagement programs in different areas such as photonics, space, quantum and imaging. You can learn more about our work by looking at the case studies below.
National Institute for Quantum Integration (NiQi)
Developing the Industrial Engagement for NiQi
Glasgow University proposed the National Centre for Quantum Integration (NiQi) to advance semiconductor fabrication techniques for quantum technologies, collaborating with six universities and the National Physical Laboratory. To align academic innovation with industry needs, the university sought Anchored In's expertise to develop an industry engagement plan. Anchored In focused on understanding successful practices, partner institution frameworks, potential conflicts, and industry needs. They interviewed representatives from institutions with strong industry ties and produced initial recommendations. A workshop with all partners addressed misaligned views and fostered discussions. Anchored In identified key companies and engaged them to discuss NiQi's potential benefits and barriers. They facilitated broader workshops, summarised findings, and provided recommendations to Glasgow University. Although the NiQi proposal did not succeed, it led to smaller collaborative projects and highlighted the industry's appreciation for a unified contact point for navigating academic collaborations, proving valuable for future efforts.
Photonic Integrated Circuits (PIC)
Bootcamp
Addressing UK's semiconductors skill gap
Several UK technology companies reported a shortage of engineers skilled in Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), which are essential in telecommunications, computing and healthcare. Despite university courses, there is a gap in practical skills like simulation software and chip packaging. In response, Innovate UK launched a call to enhance semiconductor training. Anchored In persuaded the University of Bristol to expand its Quantum-focused PIC summer school into the PIC Bootcamp for industrial employees, covering PIC concepts to practical device fabrication and packaging. Anchored In, with partners Cornerstone, Bay Photonics, and Wave Photonics, secured a grant from Innovate UK to launch the bootcamp. Anchored In leads the project, ensuring industry engagement and relevance through interactive workshops. Feedback from participants and employers informs curriculum adjustments, and Anchored In also oversees marketing and future course rollouts. The bootcamp aims to provide foundational PIC knowledge and practical skills, ensuring financial sustainability and ongoing industry relevance.
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How we trained and enabled early career professors to strengthen their grant portfolio and become self financing.
SETtsquared, a group of UK universities with a world-class research track record asked Anchored In to help build a portfolio of suitable companies to apply for CR&D grants with Innovate UK.