An emerging and significant strand of our work is based on a new view of economic development. Whereas the previous emphasis was on regional clusters, this is giving way to a more complex view of how nations can sustain networks of competitive advantage at metropolitan, regional, national and super-national levels.
The majority of our public sector work is currently in the UK, where we have helped shape public policy through our involvement in wider debates such as the Lambert Review of the role of universities in the knowledge economy, and the Treasury’s ten year framework for science and innovation.
Policy advice
We apply our scientific, technological and industrial expertise to a range of policy issues for national and regional government and public bodies. We consult in the following areas:
- technology assessment and forecasting
- regional policies and their implementation
- technical studies of topics with a public interest
- public research establishments
Recent projects include a review of the UK space industry for the DTI, an investigation of the options for rural broadband services for Ofcom, and an investigation of the human aspects of digital television for the UK Government.
Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship
For development agencies in England, Ireland and Norway, Sagentia has set up and delivered a number of high profile programmes which have helped companies innovate across many industrial sectors including electronics, medical and mechanical engineering. One such initiative, undertaken for Yorkshire Forward, has unlocked £13 million of private sector investment and helped to create and safeguard over 1,100 jobs. In this area, our distinguishing strength lies in our extensive, practical knowledge and our ability to harness that knowledge to ensure successful policy implementation.
In the UK, Government investment in university technology transfer has led to a further string of initiatives around both transfer and regional involvement in commercialisation.
Sagentia helps public bodies such as universities, regional development agencies and public sector research establishments to develop the structures and the capability to act with an innovative and entrepreneurial approach. These include incubators, technology transfer offices, intermediate technology institutes and the required funding structures such as seed funds and venture capital.