You’ve built something remarkable. Years of research, hard-won expertise, and a relentless drive to turn academic insight into real-world impact. Now imagine being able to plug that knowledge directly into a business — fast, with funding behind you, and with the potential for a lasting partnership. That’s exactly what Accelerated Knowledge Transfer makes possible.
What is Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (AKT)?
Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (AKT) is an Innovate UK-funded programme that connects academic experts from universities and research institutions with businesses to solve specific innovation challenges rapidly. Projects run for two to four months and attract funding of up to £35,000, with businesses contributing just 10% of project costs.
AKT sits within the same family as the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) — the UK’s longest-running and most successful knowledge exchange programme — but is designed for speed. Where a KTP commits both parties to a 12 to 36-month deep collaboration, an AKT delivers focused, high-impact results in a fraction of the time, with a streamlined application process to match.
How does an AKT differ from a Knowledge Transfer Partnership?
| Feature | Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) | Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (AKT) |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 12 to 36 months | 2 to 4 months |
| Funding | Up to £115,000+ | Up to £35,000 |
| Business contribution | ~25–33% | ~10% |
| Personnel | A newly recruited graduate associate embedded full-time in the business | Existing academic experts from the knowledge base |
| Application process | Comprehensive and detailed | Streamlined and light-touch |
| Best suited for | Long-term strategic transformation | Rapid problem-solving or concept testing |
| Minimum company size | 2 FTE (ideally 5+) | 4 FTE |
In summary:
- Choose a KTP if you have a massive, long-term strategic goal (e.g., completely overhauling your manufacturing process or developing an entirely new product line from scratch) and have the time to commit to a multi-year project
- Choose an AKT if you need to rapidly solve a distinct problem, evaluate a new business model, or overcome “innovation blockers” without the administrative burden and long-term commitment of a traditional KTP. (Note the higher minimum employee requirement though).
What are the benefits of AKT for businesses?
For spin-out companies and startups, the commercial case is compelling:
- Subsidised access to specialist expertise. Businesses work with academic experts at a heavily subsidised rate — knowledge that would carry a significant consultancy fee on the open market.
- Low-risk innovation testing. AKT is ideal for evaluating a new business model, testing a concept, or tackling a blocker that’s been holding growth back, without a long-term commitment.
- A natural pathway to a KTP. Many AKTs evolve into full Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. Businesses that find the right academic fit can move into a longer collaboration, ultimately hiring a dedicated associate full-time. It’s the ultimate “try before you buy” approach to talent and innovation.
- Speed. With a light-touch application and a two-to-four month project window, AKT delivers results on a timeline that works for growing businesses.
There’s something deeply satisfying about watching academic theory become business reality in real time.
How do academics benefit from AKT and KTP?
Participation in an Accelerated Knowledge Transfer or Knowledge Transfer Partnership offers academics far more than a line on a CV:
- Strengthens your REF impact case with concrete, evidenced examples of knowledge exchange.
- Opens new research questions grounded in real-world commercial challenges.
- Builds industry relationships that can catalyse future grant applications and collaborative projects.
- Demonstrates societal value — an increasingly important consideration in today’s funding environment.
- Brings your research to life. There’s something genuinely energising about watching academic theory become business reality.
For professors leading spin-outs or exploring their first industry partnership, AKT is one of the most accessible entry points available.
Frequently asked questions about Accelerated Knowledge Transfer
Ready to explore knowledge transfer?
Whether you’re running a spin-out, leading a research group, or simply curious about how your expertise could drive commercial innovation, Accelerated Knowledge Transfer is one of the most accessible and rewarding routes into industry collaboration available to academics in the UK today.
At Pixelshrink, we work with academic research projects and spin-out companies every day, helping them communicate their value clearly. If you’d like to talk about how we can maximise your research impact, we’d love to hear from you.
