Li Dak Sum Incubator

“The University of Nottingham has a pioneering and entrepreneurial tradition of creativity and innovation which is written into our strategic approach. From ideas to technologies to knowledge transfer, entrepreneurial practice to start-ups, we have engendered a diverse and vibrant community that celebrates innovation and entrepreneurialism, and is always globally engaged.”

Professor Jon Garibaldi
Provost and Pro-Vice Chancellor, University of Nottingham Ningbo China

About the Incubator

Launched in September 2017, the UNNC Incubator is the University's business hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. It is a university level platform connecting global technologies and ideas with the local opportunities and needs to deliver local impact. It is named after Dr Li Dak Sum in honour of his generous support to the University and to commemorate his spirit of giving back to the community.

Today the Li Dak Sum Incubator is home to 48 start-ups with over 120 entrepreneurs from 10 countries and regions, over 80% of these companies with international background. It nurtures a globally engaged University community of entrepreneurs including start-ups and international soft-landing projects, providing a full lifecycle innovation and entrepreneurship pathway through I&E practice, incubation services and global partnerships.

The Incubator has been awarded as Ningbo Science and Technology Business Incubator in 2021, Ningbo Number One Project Best Practice in 2023, and Zhejiang Provincial Innovation and Entrepreneurship Base in 2024.

Vision and mission

We aim to:

Foster, validate and propel student, alumni and staff start-ups and university technology incubation
Incubate ideas, creatively and technology transfer to successful knowledge exchange and value realisation
Build an inclusive ecosystem that is internationally connected to support local economic and social development
Create a vibrant enterprising culture and build a strong community of serial entrepreneurs.

Prioritised industries: creative, hi-tech, digital

Targeting: student and staff start-ups, alumni enterprises, university technology transfer/spin-out, international business soft-landing, global innovation partner.

Incubation service

LDS Incubator helps university staff, students and alumni develop their entrepreneurial ambitions. From ideas generation, practical business development to incubation, we provide full lifecycle support for entrepreneurs from diversified disciplines, and connect international talents and business resources with local needs. It offers a truly international community of innovative entrepreneurs with one-stop startup support service embedded in global mindset, and fully leverages the local resources and government support.

Provide tailored service to support start-ups to soft land in China.
Match UNNC resources with enterprises (such as research facilities, global partners, student internship, etc.)

Recruit high-end entrepreneurs and projects.
Engage with overseas counterpart.
Establish interactive community with alumni, local enterprises, investors and funders.

Empower UNNC staff and students with entrepreneurial mentorship.
Support UNNC spin-out access external funding.
Support IP commercialisation to validate UNNC spin-outs.

Li Dak Sum Innovation Fellowship

Established in 2019, the funding scheme provides no less than 3 million per year, open to academic staff of all faculties; in order to encourage and support student's innovation and entrepreneurial ideas, the student category was added for the first time in 2022, and 700,000 RMB has been provided to eligible students at different levels. Since its establishment in 2019, 29 projects have received full support from the fund, generating more than 40 intellectual property rights and promoting the landing of 2 technology spin-out companies.