Research

Business to Business Technology Transfer Research Programme

MULTIPLY is collaborating with QinetiQ and Cranfield University on a 5-year PhD research programme into business to business (B2B) technology transfer.

The research came from MULTIPLY’s CEO, Natasha Allden, observing that few businesses pro-actively do B2B technology transfer despite seeing the value in doing so. Academic research highlighted a gap in knowledge around the characteristics and delivery of B2B technology transfer. Natasha is hoping to change that. She will be leading the research programme, seeking to understand and inform the future of B2B technology transfer.

The aim of the project is to:

“Define the characteristics of business to business technology transfer to systematically select or reject mechanisms and models, to develop a new business model to identify, design and deliver business to business technology transfer projects in industry with an understanding of the value opportunity to businesses owning the technology and the UK economy.”

For academia, the research aims to address the lack of knowledge around B2B technology transfer, contributing to a deeper understanding of its characteristics, the models, frameworks, and mechanisms needed to deliver it. The aim is to stimulate further research and collaborations between industry and academia.

For industry, the research aims to enable technology businesses to generate additional revenue through new sales and drive inward investment. By diversifying their offering to market they should be able to further de-risk their business with a broad portfolio of products and markets. By providing a clear definition, along with tools and models, the research aims to provide the knowledge, confidence, and case for businesses to pro-actively pursue B2B technology transfer.

For government, the research aims to provide insight and education to inform policy decisions, strategic investments and tactical delivery in knowledge transfer, business support programmes and direct investments into industry.