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Nexus: innovation hub

Date

The outside of the Nexus building - a wide, modern building with large windows

Nexus, the innovation hub at the University of Leeds, celebrated five years of growing successful businesses and entrepreneurs in 2024. It is now a community of more than 180 businesses, which have raised £134m of private investment and secured £34.15m of grant funding.

Key information

  • Partners and collaborators: Health Innovation Yorkshire and Humber, HGF, Innovate UK, KPMG, Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, NML, Propel@YH, Squire Patton Boggs, UK Centre for Greening Finance & Investment (CGFI)
  • Disciplines: business, HealthTech, technology, research and innovation.

From vaccine patches to digital dentistry and pet care, Nexus members are turning bright ideas into world-changing innovations.

The Nexus community includes entrepreneurial students, business start-ups, advisory partners and funding networks.

University of Leeds spinout and Nexus resident Auxetec has successfully commercialised materials that thicken when stretched – a world-first discovery. This technology can be used to boost durability and robustness, for example, in electronic screens and glass for buildings and vehicles.

Auxetec has benefited from being part of the University of Leeds innovation eco-system and attracted investment from Northern Gritstone in 2023.

Nexus has developed collaborative partnerships with regional businesses and the public sector, including a central role in the development of the Leeds Innovation Arc - a district of innovation neighbourhoods formed around the city’s universities, hospitals and private sector.

In December 2024, the landmark English Devolution White Paper was officially launched at Nexus by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner MP during an event attended by Regional Mayors from across England.