Innovation UK > News > Innovation UK Vol5-2 > Sharing knowledge for innovation

Knowledge Transfer Networks ? or KTNs ? are funded by the Technology Strategy Board to help businesses innovate by providing them with networking and partnering opportunities, and giving them up-to-date knowledge on markets, technologies and routes to funding. They put companies and innovators in contact with the knowledge that they need to bring new products and processes to market.

Companies and individuals can use the KTNs? resources to find collaborative partners or new customers; to get access to the latest academic knowledge and skills; to help with sourcing funding for projects; or to understand the impact of new and emerging technologies on business models.

With a membership of around 57,000, the KTNs can in fact be seen as a network of networks ? each covers a specific area of technology, but increasingly links are also being made between KTNs. The principle of knowledge exchange holds true both within and between industry or technology areas, as ideas and information in one area can have unexpected relevance or application in another.

More information on KTNs can be found via the Technology Strategy Board?s website at: www.innovateuk.org.

KTNS cover the folowing areas:

• Photonics and Plastic Electronics
• Materials
• Energy Generation & Supply (new)
• Nanotechnology
• Modern Built Environment
• Low Carbon
• Intelligent Transport Systems
• Industrial Mathematics
• HealthTech & Medicines
• Financial Services (new)
• Environmental Sustainability
• Electronics
• Digital Communications
• Digital Business
• Creative Industries
• Chemistry Innovation
• Biosciences
• Aerospace & Defence
• Sensors & Instrumentation.

 

The benefits of KTNs:

• Networking ? frequent opportunities to network with other businesses and academics through targeted events, meetings and special-interest groups organised by the KTN.
• Partnering ? through their contacts and knowledge of industry, KTNs can help businesses find partners for new projects and wider opportunities.
• Funding opportunities ? advice on Technology Strategy Board Collaborative R&D competitions, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and other sources of funding for innovation such as Framework Programme 7, Eureka, or venture capital.
• Information and news ? free access to online services such as market and technology reports, newsletters, webinars/e-training, events diaries, e-conferencing and collaboration tools and general sector/application specific information.
• Policy and regulation ? a communications route between the KTNs community, government and EU, giving members the opportunity to influence policies and regulation in the UK and abroad.
• Strategy ? KTNs are playing an increasingly important role in the development of the Technology Strategy Board?s future direction.