Student-led projects

Bring us a real business challenge and collaborate with student teams, supported by experienced lecturers and industry-focused learning environments, to explore practical solutions and fresh thinking.

Start a project

How it works

We work collaboratively with businesses to explore real-world challenges through student-led projects supported by experienced lecturers and industry-focused learning environments.

Whether you’re developing a new idea, exploring a process improvement or looking for fresh perspectives, we’ll help connect your challenge with the right people, skills and support.

Share your challenge

Tell us about the business challenge, idea or opportunity you’d like to explore.

We match the project

We connect your challenge with relevant student teams and specialist expertise.

Collaborative development

Students work alongside lecturers and industry support to explore practical solutions.

Review outcomes

Receive ideas, concepts, insights or prototype outcomes to help move your project forward.

Examples of collaboration

Businesses work with EKC Innovate in different ways depending on their goals, challenges and areas of innovation.

From developing new ideas to exploring practical improvements, projects can take many forms and adapt to different industries and business needs.

Product development

Explore new ideas, test concepts and support the development of products, services or customer experiences.

Research & insight

Gain fresh perspectives through research, feedback, analysis and exploratory project work.

Digital & technology challenges

Collaborate on digital ideas, emerging technologies and practical technology-focused business challenges.

Creative problem solving

Work with students to explore innovative approaches, generate ideas and tackle real-world business problems.

Process improvement

Identify opportunities to improve workflows, efficiency and operational processes through collaborative project work.

Innovation concepts

Test early-stage concepts and explore new opportunities in a supportive, innovation-focused environment.

Projects in action

See how businesses have worked with EKC Innovate and student teams to explore ideas, solve challenges and support innovation activity.

SACO AEI Polymers bespoke blend back

SACO AEI Polymers is part of a global conglomerate of companies owned by AESSE Investments Ltd. Located in Sandwich in Dover district, the site develops, manufactures and deliver a full range of products for sectors.

Discovery Park floor plates

Discovery Park is one of Europe’s leading business sites for science and innovation, located near Sandwich in Dover district. It provides office and laboratory space for start-ups and scale ups to leading multinationals.

BROM-BOT

Brompton Bikes is planning to move their headquarters and manufacturing facility from Greenford in London to Ashford. We’ve supported them with projects, like BROM-BOT, to upskill their existing workforce as the company builds for the future.

Explore all case studies

Why work with EKC Innovate?

Collaborating with EKC Innovate gives businesses access to fresh thinking, emerging talent and practical innovation support.

Fresh perspectives and ideas
Access to emerging talent
Collaborative problem solving
Industry-supported learning environments
Opportunities to test and explore concepts

Get in touch

Related workshops

Join upcoming sessions designed to help businesses explore innovation, technology and practical problem solving.

On-demand

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45 mins

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Live

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41 mins