South East Technological University (SETU) has recorded a strong performance in the latest Irish Knowledge Transfer Association (IKTA) Annual Knowledge Transfer Survey (AKTS) emerging as a national leader in industry engagement and research commercialisation.
The 2024 AKTS figures, released in late 2025, show that SETU completed more than 260 innovation agreements with industry partners, outperforming every other university in Ireland. The achievement highlights SETU’s growing role as a trusted innovation partner for businesses and organisations across the country.
The IKTA's survey is the national benchmark for measuring knowledge transfer activity across Ireland’s research-performing organisations. It captures a range of indicators including industry engagement, invention disclosures, intellectual property development, licensing activity, research expenditure and the creation of spin-out companies.
The rankings also show that SETU was one of only two technological universities in Ireland to generate a spin-out company during the reporting period. The University’s spin-out performance was on par with several of Ireland’s most established research-intensive institutions, including Dublin City University (DCU), the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and the University of Limerick (UL).
The latest results also demonstrate significant growth across SETU’s wider innovation ecosystem. The University recorded increases in invention disclosures, research expenditure and several other key knowledge transfer indicators between 2024 and 2025, reflecting a growing culture of innovation and enterprise engagement across the institution.
Dr James O’ Sullivan, Head of Innovation and Commercialisation at SETU, welcomed the results.
“These figures reflect the strength of the innovation culture that continues to develop across SETU. The fact that we recorded more innovation agreements than any other higher education institution in Ireland demonstrates the confidence that businesses place in our researchers, facilities and expertise. It also highlights the commitment of our staff to ensuring that research delivers real-world impact.”
Being one of only two technological universities to generate a spin-out company is another important milestone."
Dr James O' Sullivan, SETU Head of Innovation and Commercialisation
Dr O’ Sullivan added: “Being one of only two technological universities to generate a spin-out company is another important milestone. Spin-outs represent one of the most visible ways that university research can create economic value, attract investment and generate employment opportunities.”
Prof Marie Claire Van Hout, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Impact at SETU, said the results reflect the University’s strategic focus on connecting research excellence with societal and economic impact.
These results demonstrate the growing scale and impact of our engagement with enterprise, communities and public-sector partners."
Professor Marie Claire Van Hout, SETU Vice President for Research, Innovation and Impact
“SETU is committed to delivering research and innovation that makes a difference. These results demonstrate the growing scale and impact of our engagement with enterprise, communities and public-sector partners. Through initiatives such as TU RISE, our Technology Gateways, our research centres, New Frontiers, and our innovation supports, we are creating new opportunities for collaboration and helping to drive sustainable regional development.”
She added: “The continued growth in invention disclosures, research activity and commercialisation outcomes is a testament to the ambition and dedication of our researchers. It also reflects the strength of the innovation ecosystem we are building across the south-east and beyond.”
The strong performance reinforces SETU’s position as a key driver of innovation in Ireland, supporting businesses to access research expertise, develop new technologies and bring ideas from concept to commercial reality.
As SETU continues to expand its research and innovation activities, the University remains focused on strengthening partnerships, supporting entrepreneurship and ensuring that research translates into meaningful impact for industry, society and the economy.
The full Annual Knowledge Transfer Survey is available to download here:
SETU's Technology Transfer office is funded by Enterprise Ireland under the Knowledge Transfer (KT) Boost Programme, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union under two European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Regional Programmes – the Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021-2027 and the Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021- 2027.
