AoC Innovation Survey Report highlights colleges' crucial role in local business innovation

The AoC survey report on innovation in colleges 2025, released today, finds a strong and growing strategic commitment among colleges to support local employer innovation. With 86% of colleges having identified this role as strategically important, the survey shows this belief is increasingly being translated into action.

The report also highlights a rising interest in expanding innovation centres and "plug-and-play" spaces, where businesses can tap into college expertise, equipment, and student talent.

However, it also identifies challenges, noting that many colleges still lack stable innovation funding, formal research partnerships, and fully operational business incubation facilities. Additionally, constraints in staff CPD support are limiting deeper research engagement with local businesses.

The report recommends that the AoC advocate for multi-year funding cycles (3+ years) to enable colleges to establish innovation teams and measure their impact over time. Leveraging the survey results could help Innovate UK make a compelling case to the Treasury for additional funding.

Read the full survey findings and report recommendations here.