Venture creation
Research has the potential to create impact beyond academia. Turning discoveries into practical applications can lead to new technologies, products, services and businesses that address real-world challenges and deliver lasting economic and societal benefit.
At Heriot-Watt University, researchers can access multidisciplinary expertise, specialist facilities and external partnerships to test ideas, explore applications and understand the commercial potential of their work. From our Global Research Institutes in Health and Care Technologies, The National Robotarium, iNetZ+ and The Lyell Centre to our internationally recognised expertise in Quantum and Photonics, we bring together the knowledge, facilities and connections needed to help research progress beyond the laboratory.
Explore how to take your research forward
Whether you are exploring an early-stage idea, validating a technology or considering commercialisation, there are several ways to get started.
Explore your options
Understand intellectual property, licensing, commercialisation and venture creation to identify potential routes for your research.
Learn from other researchers
Discover how Heriot-Watt academics have developed their research into commercial opportunities, new ventures and real-world applications.
Find the right support
Meet our Enterprise Executives and explore the expertise, connections and practical support available to help you take the next step.
Explore your options
Discover the different ways to bring your research closer to real-world application. Our explainers introduce licencing and commercialisation, outlining how intellectual property can be shared with industry partners or developed into new products, services and ventures. Explore the approaches available and consider which route could be right for your research.

What is research commercialisation?
Discover how Heriot-Watt University helps researchers and industry partners turn research into real-world impact through commercialisation, collaboration and innovation support.

What is research licensing?
Discover how research licensing helps Heriot-Watt turn innovation into real-world impact by connecting academic expertise with industry partners, products and new opportunities.
Learn from other researchers
Discover how Heriot-Watt researchers have taken their ideas beyond academia, from early-stage research and technology development to commercialisation and spinout creation. Explore their experiences, the challenges they have navigated and the support that has helped turn research into real-world opportunities.

Case study: Founder Journey: Professor Michael Tanner- From discovery to commercialisation
OptoLoc demonstrates how collaboration and commercialisation support can help move innovation beyond the lab and towards real-world healthcare impact.

Case study: Founder Journey: Professor Michael Crichton- From discovery to commercialisation
Discover how Professor Michael Crichton’s research journeyed from academic discovery to a potential spinout, with Heriot-Watt’s support helping turn innovation into patient impact.

Case study: Founder Journey: Professor Yuhang Chen- From discovery to commercialisation
UroFlo shows how collaboration between researchers, clinicians and commercial experts can help turn research into healthcare innovation with real-world potential.

Spinout success: Keynoteq
Discover how Keynoteq grew from leading Heriot-Watt research into an award-winning low-carbon brick technology now being used around the world

Spinout success: TissueMetrics
Discover TissueMetrics, an innovative skin-sensing technology that could change the way eczema and psoriasis are diagnosed and monitored, helping to speed up treatment, reduce waiting times and improve care for patients.

Case Study: The Immersive Suite in action: Enabling future talent
Discover how Heriot-Watt University’s Immersive Suite helps students apply theory in realistic clinical settings, building confidence, skills and innovation in health tech.

Case Study: Enabling Innovation: Supporting SMEs through our Immersive Suite
Empowering MedTech SMEs with flexible, realistic and cost-effective pre-clinical testing, validation and demo space at Heriot-Watt University’s Immersive Suite.

Case study: Driving research forward through simulation and testing
See how Heriot-Watt’s Immersive Suite accelerates VisionRF, enabling controlled validation, realistic simulation and faster translation of health tech research to impact.
Find the right support
Whether you're exploring the commercial potential of your research or looking to develop your ideas further, our Enterprise Executives can help you understand your options and plan your next steps. Meet the team, learn from their expertise and discover how they can support your journey from academic research to commercial opportunity.

Our Enterprise Executives: Dominic Gammon
Meet Heriot-Watt’s entrepreneurial experts and discover what it takes to turn academic ideas into viable businesses, from customer discovery to commercialisation and growth.

Our Enterprise Executives: Rachel Connolly
Meet Rachel Connolly, Enterprise Executive at Heriot-Watt, and discover her advice on commercialising research and turning ideas into real-world impact.
Need support taking your research forward?
Get in touch with our team to explore the expertise, connections and commercialisation support available to help develop your ideas.
Get in touchTest ideas with confidence
Access specialist facilities to test, validate and refine technologies, reduce development risk and build confidence in real-world applications.
Turning innovation into opportunity
Our commercialisation team helps researchers turn innovation into real-world impact through intellectual property, licencing, spinouts and investment support, connecting them with the expertise and partners needed to bring ideas to market.
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Collaborate with us
Please contact us at business.partnership@hw.ac.uk@hw.ac.uk for more information.