Loughborough University has an institutional track record of research exploitation and has invested significantly in a framework to promote partnerships with industry. Its Enterprise Office offers organisations of all sizes seamless access to the University's research expertise through a wide range of activities, ranging from Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), consultancy projects, secondments, licensing and spin-out company formation to significant industrial partnerships.

Loughborough's collaborative research activity is 70% compared to the national average of less than 20%. This reflects Loughborough success in many large projects with multiple partners. Whilst large collaborative programmes are attractive to a wide range of companies, many small to medium-sized organisations prefer to operate on a smaller scale and find either a consultancy project or a KTP an invaluable way to access University knowledge and expertise to improve performance. A KTP is a government-subsidised three-way collaboration between the University, company and a graduate working on a project central to the needs of the company for a period of one to three years.

Many companies have engaged in either of these schemes before undertaking further collaborative research with the University. Other forms of engagement include sponsored research studentships, undergraduate placements that are undertaken by 38% of Loughborough students (800 students in 500 companies) and six-month Graduate Gateway placements.