Types of KTP – Innovation, Management, African-Agri, Accelerated

There’s not just one type of KTP around. I’ll give brief explanations of each below:

Classic / Innovation

This is the most common KTP, focused on technology innovation. It’s about building a specific capability within a business that they didn’t have before. For example, it could be about building an AI and Machine Learning based tool that helps the company process information more quickly, which gives them a competitive advantage. Or developing an innovative piling system for the construction of massive infrastructure projects…….

These are both KTPs that City has been involved in recently. Other projects either in progress or in development include the development of new sensors for soil analysis, sensing technologies to help improve diabetes management, and optimising a digitally enabled weight management and diabetes prevention programme.

As long as there’s innovation, challenge and impact – your project idea could fit within the KTP framework.

Management

These are fairly new and have been around since about 2018. Originally they were solely aimed at Business Schools and funded by BEIS (is that what it’s still called?). Now they are part of the wider KTP family, funded through Innovate UK, and are able to be applied for with any School within a University, as long as the core criteria are met – that the project applies ‘management theory’ to the business challenge.

They are about addressing internal rather than external challenges and could address:

• New business models and revenue streams
• Competitor analysis and market best practice
• Organisational and behavioural psychology or culture change
• Business process efficiencies
• Embedding innovation throughout an organisation.
• Covid19 recovery and resilience activities – eg. understanding remote working and/or remote user experiences, wellbeing, risk mitigation and continuity planning.

These are just examples and each KTP will have to pass the standard KTP assessment process, ensuring commercial impact.

African-Agri

Again, these are a fairly new strand and have proved extremely popular. Initially funded through the Overseas Development Agency and managed through Innovate, these are also now fully connected to KTP. They operate slightly differently in that they are 4-way collaborations: a UK Knowledge Base, and African Knowledge Base, an African company and the Associate. They are also 100% funded, so no direct contribution required by the business.

Currently they are restricted to Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. As the name suggests they are focused on projects that address issues and challenges across the agricultural sector – from cultivation to processing and storage. Previous projects have included solar powered food storage, recycling agricultural waste into new products and energy, and addressing pests through developing fruit fly traps.

Accelerated Knowledge Transfer 2 Innovate

The youngest of the KTP family, these were piloted in 2022 and are scheduled to make a return at some point in 2023. They are 3-4 month projects which are intended to either test out a concept ahead of a full KTP, or work as a follow-on to complete a project that may not be possible within the full KTP.

The format in the pilot was very appealing, with businesses only having to come up with 10% of total project costs (project value up to £35,000). These would be a great way to start a collaborative relationship and help both parties learn to work with each other. One of our pilot AKT’s from last year has already progressed to a full KTP.