METRC
METRC was a virtual research centre operating between 2007 and 2014 that offered a free, independent brokerage service and unbiased advice for companies, particularly SMEs, which wanted to access academic expertise. METRC was founded by the N8 Research Partnership and hosted by the University of Sheffield, and operated in partnership with the Universities of Bradford, Sheffield Hallam, and Hull.
METRC invested in 85 collaborative projects with 90 company partners. Over £300k or innovation vouchers were allocated to support academic-industrial research partnerships, and the project leveraged nearly £10m of additional funding.
“N8 via its METRC virtual lab has been instrumental in helping us prove the concept. Their support enabled us to form a partnership with an academic at the University of York who will conduct the scientific work needed to help confirm that the VL (virtual lens) will address the needs of the Life Science and Pharmaceutical industries.“
Ian L. Pyykett, Chief Executive Officer, Phase Focus Ltd
