Knowledge Transfer Network
Knowledge Transfer Network (trading as Innovate UK Business Connect) is the UK government-backed innovation network, operating as the strategic delivery partner to Innovate UK/UKRI, connecting UK businesses, researchers, and investors to funding and partnerships across 23+ sectors via programmes such as KTP, ICURe, Horizon Europe, and Ofgem SIF.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersHorsham, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Knowledge Transfer Network does
Knowledge Transfer Network Limited, trading as Innovate UK Business Connect, is a UK-incorporated entity (legal entity founded 1980, operating under the Innovate UK Business Connect brand since a 2024 rebrand) that functions as the strategic delivery partner to Innovate UK, itself part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Its core offering is an innovation network facilitation platform that connects UK businesses, researchers, investors, and public-sector partners to funding opportunities, partnerships, and expert support across more than 23 sectors (Agrifood, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Creative Industries, Design, Digital, Electronics, Energy, Geospatial, Health, Industrial Maths, Infrastructure, Manufacturing, Materials, Photonics, Quantum, Robotics & AI, Security & Defence, Sensors, Space, Transport, and Water). Its primary programmes include Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (operating for over 45 years), the UK's official Horizon Europe Hub, ICURe (commercialisation support for academic spin-outs), the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund, and Contracts for Innovation, all routed through its main digital platform at iuk-business-connect.org.uk and supplemented by events, workshops, and direct enquiry channels.
The business model is grant-funded rather than fee-based: revenue is derived from UK government funding channelled through Innovate UK and a set of complementary UK and European public bodies (BBSRC, UK Space Agency, Dstl, Ofgem, ESA, IHI, and ARIA). Because pricing is not publicly disclosed and the entity is publicly controlled through UKRI, no commercial fee streams are apparent in the data. Go-to-market is community-led and bottom-up: businesses and researchers self-serve through the platform, register interest by area, and are routed into programmes through sector-specific digital pathways (e.g., Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy Industries, Life Sciences, Global), supported by an events calendar, newsletters, and direct outreach via email and phone.
The customer base is split into three primary segments — UK businesses (the largest, seeking to access research expertise and funding), UK academic researchers (seeking commercialisation pathways, ICURe funding, and industry partners), and investors (seeking UK deal flow) — together with secondary partners such as universities, BBSRC institutes, and international collaborators. The core technology is a content- and event-driven matchmaking platform rather than a proprietary AI engine; the site's value is in aggregating and curating publicly funded programme calls, sector directories, and event listings, with no disclosed APIs, SDKs, AI modules, or software integrations beyond standard social and email channels. Operating status is active with 51–100 employees headquartered in Horsham, UK, and ongoing career, opportunity, and programme pipelines observed as of 2026.
Knowledge Transfer Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Knowledge Transfer Network
- Legal name
- The Knowledge Transfer Network Limited
- Website
- https://ktn-uk.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Knowledge Transfer Network (trading as Innovate UK Business Connect) is the UK government-backed innovation network, operating as the strategic delivery partner to Innovate UK/UKRI, connecting UK businesses, researchers, and investors to funding and partnerships across 23+ sectors via programmes such as KTP, ICURe, Horizon Europe, and Ofgem SIF.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Knowledge Transfer Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Innovation Network Services
- NAICS
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Digital & Technology Transformation Consulting (BPAHACAH)
Keywords
Where Knowledge Transfer Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Horsham
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
Knowledge Transfer Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Government Funding: As a strategic delivery partner to Innovate UK (part of UK Research and Innovation), Knowledge Transfer Network operates as a publicly funded innovation support organization. Revenue is derived from government funding to facilitate UK innovation networks, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, and related programmes.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Knowledge Transfer Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Knowledge Transfer Network, operating as Innovate UK Business Connect, is a strategic delivery partner to Innovate UK (part of UK Research and Innovation) that connects UK businesses, researchers, investors, and partners to funding opportunities, partnerships, and expert support. It facilitates innovation across 23+ sectors through programmes such as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, Horizon Europe Hub, ICURe, Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund, and Contracts for Innovation, helping ideas move from concept to scale.
Product overview
Innovate UK Business Connect is a multi-programme innovation support platform that operates as the home of the UK's innovation networks. The platform functions as a unified ecosystem of programmes including Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (45+ years), Horizon Europe Hub, ICURe, Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund, and Contracts for Innovation. These programmes collectively connect organisations to funding opportunities, partnerships, and expert support to help ideas move from concept to scale across 22 sectors including Agrifood, Biotechnology, Digital, Energy, Health, Manufacturing, Quantum, Robotics & AI, and Space.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Knowledge Transfer Partnerships A 45+ year-old programme helping UK businesses innovate for growth by accessing the UK's world-leading knowledge base through partnerships with academic institutions.
- Horizon Europe Hub The UK's official Horizon Europe Hub providing guidance on research and innovation funding opportunities within the European framework programme.
- ICURe Programme The Innovate UK ICURe Programme enables researchers to turn ground-breaking research into investment-ready spin-out companies and license agreements, providing funding and personalised support.
- Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund A programme focused on decarbonising Great Britain's energy networks through innovation, bringing together energy network companies to fund transformative projects.
- Contracts for Innovation A programme enabling innovators to work directly with the public sector to develop new technologies and processes.
- Innovate UK Business Connect Platform A strategic delivery platform that brings together businesses, researchers, investors and partners to support innovation across the UK, connecting organisations to funding opportunities, partnerships and expert support.
Companies that use Knowledge Transfer Network
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Knowledge Transfer Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Knowledge Transfer Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Innovate UKcoreInnovate UK Business Connect is a strategic delivery partner to Innovate UK, which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). This is the primary organizational relationship enabling the network's operation as the home of UK innovation networks.
- UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)coreParent organization providing governance and strategic direction for Innovate UK Business Connect through the Innovate UK portfolio.
- European Space AgencycoreCollaborates with ESA on funding opportunities including The Arctic Region: Safety, Navigation and Operations and Road and Traffic Safety programmes.
- BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council)corePartners on BBSRC Institutes ICURe Discover programme for research teams at BBSRC's eight strategically supported institutes.
- UK Space AgencycoreCollaborates with UK Space Agency and Dstl on Space to Innovate: Delta Drop opportunity for defence and security space capabilities.
- ARIA (Advanced Research & Innovation Agency)corePartners with ARIA on Trust Everything, Everywhere opportunity seeds for cyber-physical trust infrastructure, with funding up to £500,000 each.
- OfgemcorePartners on Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund programme for decarbonising Great Britain's energy networks.
- IHI (Innovative Health Initiative)corePromotes IHI 13th Call for Proposals focusing on healthcare innovation, reducing animal use in drug safety studies, and immuno-science of diseases.
- La Piscine (Montreal)minorPartners with La Piscine global innovation centre in Montreal for Global Incubator Programme for video gaming companies.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Knowledge Transfer Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Knowledge Transfer Network social profiles
Digital presenceKnowledge Transfer Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Knowledge Transfer Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Knowledge Transfer Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Knowledge Transfer Network M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Knowledge Transfer Network
What does Knowledge Transfer Network do?
Knowledge Transfer Network, operating as Innovate UK Business Connect, is a strategic delivery partner to Innovate UK (part of UK Research and Innovation) that connects UK businesses, researchers, investors, and partners to funding opportunities, partnerships, and expert support. It facilitates innovation across 23+ sectors through programmes such as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, Horizon Europe Hub, ICURe, Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund, and Contracts for Innovation, helping ideas move from concept to scale.
Is Knowledge Transfer Network a public or private company?
Knowledge Transfer Network is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Knowledge Transfer Network founded?
Knowledge Transfer Network was founded in 1980. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Knowledge Transfer Network based?
Knowledge Transfer Network is headquartered in Horsham, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Knowledge Transfer Network make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Funding.
Does Knowledge Transfer Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for Knowledge Transfer Network.
What industry is Knowledge Transfer Network in?
Knowledge Transfer Network's product category is Innovation Network Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHACAH, Digital & Technology Transformation Consulting. Its NAICS code is 54169 and its SIC code is 8742.