The Health Innovation Nexus provides a structure for the numerous programmes and partnerships managed by City St George’s out of the Tooting campus. The unit was launched in 2024 with the aim of engaging with industry partners and supporting the development of impactful health innovation.
The Health Innovation Nexus offerings are listed below. Please make sure to sign up to the Nexus Newsletter to keep up to date on activity across the University.
The Nexus Space
The Nexus Space, funded by a generous grant from Research England, is a new flexible working and meeting space in the heart of our campus.
Two soundproof rooms
One is designed for focused individual work, complete with ergonomic furniture and a professional atmosphere, while the other is tailored as a relaxed meeting room, ensuring complete privacy and comfort for important discussions for up to three people.
Soundproof rooms
A spacious main area
This space is a blend of comfort and modern design, featuring a large corner sofa (seating 6-8 people), a large table that accommodates up to 6-8 people, and an interactive board that seamlessly rotates to serve both the sofas and the table. It's perfect for dynamic brainstorming sessions, presentations, pitches, or strategic discussions.
It’s an ideal setting for SMEs looking to scale up, connect with experts, and tap into St George’s extensive academic and clinical network.
Lab and Office Rental
We have recently developed an offering of lab and office space for rent on site in Tooting. Lab space is available for range of industry needs and we offer access to our expert facilites including tissue culture labs and the Image Resource Facility.
All of our space is currently occupied, however, we have plans to develop further space in the coming year. Please contact Ambi Batra-Penny (abatra@citystgeorges.ac.uk) to register your interest.
Lab space for rent
For more infornation on using City St George's facilities, please consult the Using Our Facilities page.
Consultancy
City St George's offers expert consultancy services, connecting external organisations with leading researchers in the medical and health sciences. Our consultants provide solutions to technical challenges, advise on scientific procedures, and offer expert testimony for legal cases. From medical device assessments to population data analysis, we support innovation and research collaboration.
As part of City St George's, our consultants benefit from access to one of the UK's busiest hospitals, enabling us to specialise in areas such as cardiac health, infectious diseases, and genetics. Many successful research partnerships have started through consultancy, offering a gateway for business to acccess world-class expertise and drive impactful results.
For more information please contact Beth Richards (brichard@citystgeorges.ac.uk).
For more information on using academic consultants at City St George's Clerkenwell and Tooting campuses, please visit the Hire an Academic Consultant page.
Background Information
The City St George’s SME Innovation Vouchers are specifically designed to promote collaborative innovation between City St George’s University of London and UK-based Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), enabling SMEs to harness CIty St George’s academic and clinical expertise as well as our specialist facilities to help them innovate, develop and grow.
Vouchers can be used toward the cost of collaborative projects, including access to University and Hospital facilities, researchers and clinicians.
An SME Innovation Voucher will grant the successful enterprise an award between £5000 and £20000 and cover specific University and Hospital project costs.
Successful SME applicants will contribute an equal value in cash or in kind (e.g. staff time, materials or equipment) or a combination of both to any project funded by the award of an SME voucher.
In choosing to work with City St George's, SMEs will gain:
- Access to expert researchers and clinicians, establishing new contacts within the thriving intellectual and medical networks of City St George's University of London and NHS Trust.
- Access to the latest specialist technology and equipment, as well as novel methodologies and our field-leading research institutes.
- Access to our well-connected South London campus and its facilities.
For more information ,please download our SME Innovation Voucher Flyer.
Eligibility
To apply for an SME Innovation Voucher the following criteria must be bet:
- Industry partner must be a UK based SME[1]
- SME must contribute in cash or in kind to the project
- Project idea must lead to SME innovation and growth
- Project must involve specialist facilities or expertise not otherwise available to the SME
- SME partner must demonstrate a desire to build an ongoing relationship with City St George’s
References
[1] SME (Small and medium sized enterprise) – defined as having less than 250 employees and less than £50 million turnover
Apply
On 14 November, SMEs will pitch their innovative plans to the Enterprise and Innovation team, academics, and industry professionals. Businesses with the most potential will be awarded the SME Innovation Voucher to support their growth.
The closing date for completed applications to be sent to hin@sgul.ac.uk by 18 October 2024.
Networking Event: Thursday 14 November 2024
Please use the SME Voucher Application Form to apply to pitch at the SME event.
You can book to attend the event by clicking here and please make your selection if you also wish to make a pitch.
Applications for the SME Innovation Vouchers are now open for projects with an end date on or before Friday 11th July 2025. If you believe your project does not fit within this timeframe, please contact a member of the Enterprise team.
To ensure the most impact from the projects only applications supported by an academic partner will be accepted for review.
Please note that funding is limited and we reserve the right to close the scheme early if demand is high and all funds have been allocated.
To discuss your business needs and potential areas of collaboration please contact Khalid Shukri kshukri@citystgeorges.ac.uk and we will guide you through the application process.
Knowledge Transfer
City St George’s University of London offers Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), bringing together graduates, academic experts, and businesses to foster innovative collaboration. With a 90% success rate for applications, KTPs provide a unique opportunity for businesses to access cutting-edge academic expertise and resources, while graduates gain invaluable experience leading strategic projects. Supported by Innovate UK and a dedicated Knowledge Transfer Advisor, KTPs allow businesses to accelerate innovation, create new knowledge, and develop intellectual property. Academics benefit from research-driven collaborations that enhance teaching and research outcomes. The programme offers substantial funding, typically covering 50-75% of project costs, depending on the size and type of business.