Co-Innovate is a two year European Regional Development Fund supported project to bring together the internationally renowned work of with London-based small and medium sized enterprises to make a significant impact in innovation and new product development in the region.
The successful proposal was developed in partnership with British Design Innovation (BDI).
True to the forward looking,practice of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the University recognises the potential of collaborative innovation. Engaging with the design profession in the bid process as well as in the programme delivery, recognises that contemporary challenges in business and society increasingly require teams, with the best expertise working in new ways.
Co-Innovate will make a significant impact on the design capability and performance of the 150 companies the project will support.
Andrew Ward, Brunel Corporate Relations and Co-Innovate Project Director comments: “Involving the BDI in this project and in our Steering Group underlines the value and potential of developing close relationships between business and academia, which can be a win-win for us all”
Gus Desbarats, BDI chairman adds: “We’ve demonstrated that strategic collaboration between academia and the industrial design profession is possible and desirable, and that it will benefit both. We hope this project will be one of many where Universities engage and integrate with the profession.”
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Notes to editors:
Brunel University is a public research university located in Uxbridge, London. Founded in 1966, its distinctive mission is to combine teaching and research excellence with the practical and entrepreneurial approach pioneered by its namesake.
Brunel is also a member of the BDI , the first formal alliance of its kind in the UK. The partnership seeks to bring the industrial design community and academia closer together to forge stronger links to address issues affecting the growth and quality of the design industry.
For more information about the research programme:
Contact the Brunel University Press Office,
, + 44 (0)1895 265585
For more information about BDI or UDIP:
Contact: Tonya Harman,
, +44 (0)1273 621378