University Enterprise Zone Explained

University Enterprise Zones are specific geographical areas in the United Kingdom where universities engage with Local Enterprise Partnerships to provide business incubator spaces and stimulate economic growth by the application of university backed innovation.^[1]

Pilot program

The ten year pilot program for University Enterprise zones was announced by David Cameron in December 2013^[2] "in response to findings in the Witty Review^[3] that universities could play a bigger role in enhancing economic growth".^[4]

Of the nine applicants,^[5] four were funded:^[6]

• Sensor_City in Liverpool
• The Digital Health Enterprise Zone in the University of Bradford
• Future Space at the University of the West of England, Bristol
• Ingenuity Centre in University of Nottingham

An interim evaluation of the policy was made in 2017^[7] at a cost of £45k.^[8] The final evaluation is due in 2023.

Second round

In September 2019 UK Government funding was announced for 20 further UEZs:^[9]

• Birmingham City University, STEAMincubator
• University of Bristol, Unit DX+
• University of Cambridge, Greater Cambridge Health Tech Connect: Testing and integrating inter-disciplinary models of incubation across West/South Cambridge
• Cranfield University, AVIATE+
• Durham University, Orbit, in NETPark
• University of Essex, Accelerating Innovation at the Knowledge Gateway
• University of Exeter
• University of Falmouth, Launchpad
• University of Hertfordshire, The Go Herts University Enterprise Zone
• Keele University, Keele University Corridor University Enterprise Zone
• Lancaster University, Secure Digitalisation University Enterprise Zone
• University of Lincoln, Business Incubation Development to support Food Enterprise Zones
• Oxford Brookes University, Oxford Brookes Artificial Intelligence & Data Analysis Incubator
• Queen Mary University of London, QMUL/Barts Life Sciences University Enterprise Zone
• Sheffield Hallam University, Wellbeing Accelerator
• University of Southampton, Future Towns Innovation Hub
• Staffordshire University, Staffordshire Advanced Materials Incubation and Accelerator Centre
• University of Sunderland
• Teesside University, Innovate Tees Valley University Enterprise Zone
• UCL, East London Inclusive Enterprise Zone

Notes and References

1. Web site: About University Enterprise Zones (UEZs). 8 March 2019. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. 9 March 2020.
2. £15 million boost for local business growth at universities . UK Government. 13 December 2013. 2020-03-12.
3. Encouraging a British invention revolution: Sir Andrew Witty's review of universities and growth: final report and recommendations. October 2013. Andrew Witty.
4. Web site: University enterprise zones pilot: evaluation. 25 March 2015. 14. 2020-03-11.
5. Web site: University Enterprise Zone applications. 18 September 2017. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. 2020-03-11.
6. Web site: Chancellor builds Northern Powerhouse with new funding for science and Atlantic Gateway in Liverpool. George Osborne. George Osborne. 3 July 2014. 2020-03-09.
7. Web site: University Enterprise Zones pilot: interim evaluation report. July 2018. technopolis-group. 2020-03-11.
8. Web site: UK SBS FWRECR17073BEIS University Enterprise Zones (uEz) pilot interim evaluation. 9 August 2017. 2020-03-11.
9. Web site: Higher education labs to boost local innovators and fuel growth. 20 September 2019. Research England. Research England. 2020-03-08.