Participating Universities
Swansea University
Swansea University is a research‑led, world‑class institution committed to developing transformative ideas and supporting entrepreneurial talent. Established in 1920 by industry for industry we remain true to the ambitions of our founders to have a positive impact in our region and beyond.
The university has been part of the WE Innovate National consortium since 2025 and is [INFO ON THIS YEAR]
Becoming part of WE Innovate National aligns with Swansea’s institutional Enterprise Strategy to “unlock talent, create an enabling environment and have Impact in place”.
We are proud to be one of the founding partners of the network, creating new opportunities for women founders and fostering innovation with the potential for wider societal and economic benefits.
This follows the University’s “Founders of the Future” campaign, in partnership with Alumnus Anne Boden in 2024, to produce a suite of inspirational and successful high tech high growth female business owner case studies. Each tells the story of a trailblazing woman, offering an insight into their unique journey and providing a learning experience for students and the wider community.
Ranked in the UK HEBCI return 2023/2024 as 2nd in Wales for the number of student and graduate businesses created, and 4th in the UK for spin‑outs, Swansea University continues to demonstrate its strength as a leading engine for innovation and entrepreneurial growth.
Swansea University’s entrepreneurial environment is recognised and evidenced by being shortlisted three times in the last five years for The Times Higher Outstanding Entrepreneurial University of the Year (2021, 2023 and 2025). Internationally recognised in both 2024 and 2025 by the Triple E Awards for Europe’s Entrepreneurial and Innovative University of the Year, affirming its position as a leading entrepreneurial university.
Established partnerships
Partnerships with anchor companies and SME’s in Wales
We value our partnerships with anchor companies and SMEs in Wales – with more than 3,000 companies engaged and 500+ business research partners – and with the many organisations we collaborate with internationally. Forty companies are co-located with us on our campuses.
An active part in the life and connectivity of the region
We are an anchor institution that plays an active part in the life and connectivity of the region. We have strong links and a proven track record working effectively with other major employers, including Health Boards, local authorities, and private and third sector organisations, and we have effective partnerships with further education colleges and schools.
We use our expertise and our global reach to drive economic prosperity and enrich the regional community and are proud of our significant impact, made possible through long-term partnerships between academia and industry.
Delivering impact and creating jobs locally
We also have a strong retained connectivity to successful graduate start-ups and spin-outs that have continued to develop in the region, delivering impact and creating jobs locally.
Key Student Enterprise partners and funders are:
- Welsh Government through their Youth Entrepreneurship Grant,
- Medr, Wales’ Commission for Tertiary Education and Research, and the Research Wales Innovation Fund.
- Santander Universities, as one of their partner universities, supports and fund students with Employability, Entrepreneurship and mobility.
- Alumna Anne Boden MBE, founder of Starling Bank and more recently AI by Boden. Not only did Anne choose Swansea when it came to collaborating on the Founders of the Future campaign, but she also sponsored the We Innovate 2026 Swansea National Prize pot
Innovation ecosystem
Swansea’s innovation ecosystem is driven by strong collaboration between its universities, industry partners and major regional investment programmes.
The Swansea Bay City Deal injects £1.3 billion into digital infrastructure, life sciences, smart manufacturing and low‑carbon growth, supporting thousands of new jobs and high‑value research partnerships. From co-working spaces such as Tramshed Tech, the home of Barclays Eagle Labs Swansea, and currently under construction at our university is a major new sport, health, and technology innovation hub (NISH).
It brings together academia, industry, the NHS, and entrepreneurs to accelerate research, product development, and wellbeing innovation.
Student Enterprise at Swansea provides end‑to‑end support for start-ups – including women-led ventures – through coaching, competitions, events, and access to networks. Swansea’s participation in WE Innovate National embeds the university within a broader UK‑wide cluster of innovation districts and enterprise ecosystems supporting high‑growth ventures.
Regional specialisms
Digital, AI & Tech
Swansea is rapidly expanding its digital, Ai, humna-centred digital technologies and tech capabilities, supported by strong computer science pipelines, collaborative innovation spaces, and excellent connectivity.
Life Sciences, Health & Wellbeing
The region is home to major life sciences initiatives and health innovation. Swansea University’s SAIL Databank, a world-class health data research resource and the Institute of Life Science underpin a network of life‑science hubs across the region.
Sport Technology & Performance
A major regional specialism emerging from the Swansea Bay Sports Park cluster:
The new NISH facility is designed as a UK‑first centre for sports technology, offering simulation suites, laboratories and co‑working space for sport‑related innovation.
Engineering & Materials Science
A major UK centre for engineering, advanced manufacturing and materials science, with world‑class facilities, strong industry partnerships, and research that directly supports national priorities such as net‑zero, advanced manufacturing, compound semiconductors and nuclear engineering.
Energy & Net‑Zero
The region’s Supporting Innovation and Low Carbon Growth programme focuses on decarbonising steel and metals, hydrogen development and green energy. The Swansea Project demonstrates integrated renewable energy, battery manufacturing, data‑driven heating systems and climate science research.
A national network
Explore WE Innovate National's partners, chosen for a combination of proven entrepreneurial infrastructure, research intensity, and geographic reach, ensuring every one of the UK's four nations has a founder-facing hub.
Imperial College London
WE Innovate was launched by Imperial College London in 2014 and has supported over 500 women-led teams since its inception.
Swansea University
A research‑led, world‑class institution committed to developing transformative ideas and supporting entrepreneurial talent.
Durham University
A globally recognised research-intensive institution with a strong commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, and societal impact.
Loughborough University
A dynamic innovation ecosystem that sparks student curiosity, develops world-changing research breakthroughs, and works with graduates, staff and partners to support start-ups.
Queen's University Belfast
One of the UK’s leading research-intensive institutions, with over 99% of its research environment rated world-leading or internationally excellent.
University of Glasgow
Innovation and entrepreneurship are at the heart of its strategy, translating world-class research into economic and societal impact.
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