The Innovation and Technology Transfer (ITT) Unit is the University’s central hub for turning ideas into impact. By bridging research, creativity, and market opportunity, the ITT Unit actively supports three interconnected missions:

• Promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and the commercialisation of research outputs, ensuring that academic work contributes tangible value beyond the laboratory or classroom.
• Facilitating the development of new technologies and their effective transfer to industry, creating pathways for research to solve real-world challenges.
• Supporting startups and scale-ups with the tools, mentorship, and infrastructure they need to thrive - fueling both regional development and national economic growth.

Whether you are a student with a first spark of an idea, a researcher with a breakthrough discovery, or a founder ready to scale, the ITT Unit’s four interconnected components, Idea Generator (i-GYM), Technology Transfer Office (TTO), and CUT Makerspace powered by FabLab, and Incubation Support provide a seamless pathway from inspiration to impact. You will find the right mix of creative space, technical tools, IP guidance, mentorship, and business support at every stage, so you can focus on building what matters.

How these four entities work together to support your innovation goals

Idea Generator (i-GYM)

i-GYM is more than a launchpad, it’s a culture builder. Designed to spark and sustain entrepreneurial thinking across the University community, i-GYM normalises innovation as a way of working and encourages entrepreneurship as a viable career path. It serves as a dynamic platform to identify, connect, and nurture aspiring founders, offering hands-on access to the CUT Makerspace powered by FabLab for rapid prototyping and experimentation.

Technology Transfer Office (TTO)

The Technology Transfer Office (TTO) ensures that valuable intellectual property (IP) arising from research and development does not stay on the "shelf". The TTO guides researchers through the process of identifying, protecting, and commercialising innovations, while also providing structured incubation support for early-stage ventures. This includes mentorship, business development guidance, and access to entrepreneurial networks, all coordinated by the Business Development Officer (TTO) and i-GYM Manager.

CUT Makerspace powered by FabLab

The CUT Makerspace powered by FabLab is where ideas become tangible. Open to students, staff, and the wider community, it offers accessible prototyping services, including digital design, 3D printing, laser cutting, and electronics fabrication. Beyond technical capability, the space cultivates critical 21st-century skills: resilience in the face of failure, creative problem-solving, and the confidence to explore new opportunities. It’s about making things to make a difference.

Incubation Support

Embedded within the ITT ecosystem, incubation support is tailored for early-stage ventures. Founders receive practical mentorship, workspace, business advisory services, and connections to industry and investment networks, helping them move from concept to viable enterprise with confidence.