SPRINT - SPace Research and Innovation Network for Technology

What SPRINT - SPace Research and Innovation Network for Technology does

SPRINT - SPace Research and Innovation Network for Technology is a UK-based SME growth intermediary founded in 2018 and headquartered in Leicester. According to the input data, its stated mission is 'SME growth through space data, technologies and know-how,' and its web presence is sprint.ac.uk. The company is positioned within the University of Leicester's enterprise ecosystem and leverages access to purpose-built space research infrastructure including Space Park Leicester and the Institute for Space, which addresses space-sector and global sustainability challenges.

Its core offering is a portfolio of professional services delivered to commercial clients via the University of Leicester's Services for Business division: contract research, consultancy, licensing of university-developed IP, knowledge transfer partnerships (KTPs), and bespoke workforce development / continuing professional development (CPD) programmes. Underlying technology and assets include scientific equipment, analytical and biotechnology facilities available for commercial access, and proximity to specialized space research facilities. The company also facilitates access to a student and graduate talent pipeline drawn from a community representing over 150 countries.

The business model is project-based and diversified across multiple revenue streams rather than a single product: licensing royalties, professional services fees for research and CPD, and managed-service KTP engagements. Go-to-market is predominantly direct enterprise engagement (field sales) through the Enterprise division, supplemented by digital channels (LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter/X, Instagram) and events. Customer segments are horizontally defined across Business Enterprises seeking R&D support, Employers recruiting talent, and Workforce Development Clients. The source data flags an important caveat: the available material pertains primarily to the University of Leicester's Services for Business page, and no standalone entity-specific information for SPRINT was identified beyond firmographic descriptors.

Name

SPRINT - SPace Research and Innovation Network for Technology

Legal name

University of Leicester

Website

https://sprint.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1921

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SPRINT is a Leicester-based SME growth intermediary, founded in 2018, that helps small businesses access space-sector data, technologies, and know-how through university research partnerships, licensing, KTPs, and CPD programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Research and Innovation Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Management Consulting Services (54161)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Innovation, Product & R&D Consulting (BPAHACAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Research Collaboration & Joint Labs (International Partnerships) (EDAIABAC), Research, Innovation & Fellowship Prep (Labs, Competitions, Publications) (EDAMAKAI)

Keywords

• Space research services
• Commercial research partnerships
• Knowledge transfer consulting
• Workforce development programmes
• Facilities access licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Leicester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Contract Research and Consultancy: Paid research and consultancy services delivered by academic experts to commercial clients
2. Licensing Opportunities: Commercialisation of university-developed technologies and IP through licensing agreements
3. Workforce Development and CPD: Bespoke short courses and continuing professional development programmes for businesses
4. Knowledge Transfer Partnerships: Structured knowledge transfer projects funded in partnership with businesses

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SPRINT supports business growth through paid contract research and consultancy delivered by academic experts, access to specialized scientific equipment and facilities (including Space Park Leicester), licensing of university-developed technologies and IP, structured Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, and bespoke workforce development and CPD programmes for commercial clients.

Product overview

The source content pertains to the University of Leicester's Services for Business page rather than a specific company called SPRINT - SPace Research and Innovation Network for Technology. The page describes general business services offered by the university including collaborative research, equipment and facilities access, student/graduate recruitment, workforce development, and commercialization support. No specific named products or services branded under SPRINT were found in the source content.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Institute for Space: Research institute addressing pressing space sector and global sustainability challenges
• Space Park Leicester
• Institute for Precision Health
• Institute for Structural and Chemical Biology

Products and services

• Contract Research and Consultancy Paid research and consultancy services delivered by academic experts to commercial clients, supporting business development and product commercialization. Targeted at companies seeking to develop and commercialize new products and services.
• Licensing Opportunities Commercialization of university-developed technologies and intellectual property through licensing agreements with external businesses and partners.
• Workforce Development and CPD Programmes Bespoke short courses and continuing professional development programmes designed for businesses looking to develop and train their workforce. Targeted at organizations needing to upskill existing employees in specialist areas.
• Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Structured knowledge transfer projects funded in partnership with businesses, embedding academic expertise into company R&D processes to accelerate product development and innovation.
• Scientific Facilities and Equipment Access Commercial access to analytical and biotechnology services and equipment, including dedicated research facilities such as Space Park Leicester, the Institute for Space, the Institute for Precision Health, and the Institute for Structural and Chemical Biology.
• Student and Graduate Talent Recruitment Tailored support packages for recruitment of student and graduate talent (including placement years and internships), connecting employers to an international community representing over 150 countries.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Space Park LeicestercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPurpose-built space research and innovation facility at the University of Leicester, forming a key beacon of impact and engagement. Addresses pressing space sector and global sustainability challenges through collaborative research and innovation.
• University Hospitals of LeicestercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner for the Institute for Precision Health, combining clinical and academic expertise for healthcare research and innovation.
• Heritage HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative heritage initiative linked to the New Walk Museum, supporting cultural and heritage research and engagement.
• School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternal university school providing business expertise for commercialization, management, economics, and related business services for enterprise clients.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN): UK-wide innovation network connecting businesses with universities and research organisations to drive knowledge transfer — overlapping directly with SPRINT's KTP and partnership-building activities.
• Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC): UK Research and Innovation council operating large-scale scientific facilities and funding space/physical-science R&D; broader incumbent comparable to SPRINT's mix of facility access and grant-funded research.
• Catapult Network: Network of UK technology and innovation Catapults (including Satellite Applications) bridging business and academia; SPRINT operates as a smaller, university-anchored analogue of this model.
• Innovate UK: UK innovation agency funding business-academic collaboration in emerging technologies including space; comparable as a funder/facilitator that SPRINT's clients and partners engage with.
• UK Space Agency: Government agency funding UK space R&D and industry partnerships; SPRINT and its clients rely on UKSA grants and programmes, making it the principal public-sector counterpart in the space domain.

Direct peers

• Cambridge Enterprise: University of Cambridge's commercialisation arm providing consultancy, licensing, and spin-out support; comparable as a much larger university enterprise service competing for the same corporate R&D budgets.
• Edinburgh Innovations (University of Edinburgh): University of Edinburgh's enterprise office offering contract research, CPD, KTPs, and IP licensing — a direct competitor for SPRINT in selling the same suite of university business services.
• Space Park Leicester: Purpose-built space research and innovation facility at the University of Leicester; the very asset SPRINT leverages, and the most direct operational comparator in the UK space-cluster landscape.
• Satellite Applications Catapult: UK-backed technology and innovation centre focused on commercialising satellite and space data, with facilities, R&D services, and business engagement closely mirroring SPRINT's Space Park Leicester model.

Emerging players

• Seraphim Space: Specialist space-tech investor and accelerator supporting space startups and SMEs — adjacent rather than directly competing, but works with similar SME customers that SPRINT serves via facilities and research.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sprintforspace
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/UniversityLeicester
• Facebookfacebook.com/UniofLeicester
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/university-of-leicester
• Instagraminstagram.com/uniofleicester

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SPRINT - SPace Research and Innovation Network for Technology