Connexica

Company Overview

Connexica is a Stafford-based data management and analytics company that helps customers generate the regular management information they need more efficiently and accurately. To take their business to the next level, Connexica accessed Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) with Staffordshire University. 

Support Received

With KTPs, businesses can collaborate with a Staffordshire University academic and a recently qualified graduate to explore new opportunities and innovative solutions to problems. 

As part of their KTP, Helen O'Brien Quinn joined Connexica as a KTP Associate. A PhD student at Staffordshire University, Helen's research was in explainable AI and joined the team to enhance existing processes and deliver a better experience. Explainable AI is crucial for an organisation in building trust and confidence when putting AI models into production. AI explainability also helps an organisation adopt a responsible approach to AI development.

Helen was interested in the role as she researched explainable AI in her PhD studies and saw this as a great way of implementing her research in a practical way. Helen created reports to demystify Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), so everyone can access the terminology. She highly recommends individuals become KTP Associates, as it provides an excellent introduction to business processes.

KTPs also provide businesses with an expert academic to support the KTP Associate. Connexica has found that the academic insights have bolstered the KTP project, making sure that the foundations built are aligned with academic good practice. 

Project Outcome

The KTP has enabled Connexica to access skills and research to enhance existing processes and deliver a better experience.

Thanks to the great support from the University every step of the way, applying for the KTP has been painless. Staffordshire University helped build their proposal for the KTP and assisted in the heavy lifting of the administration of filling out the application form.

Steve Hargreaves is our Business Engagement Development Manager for Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise who has facilitated this partnership. Steve commented, "It is fantastic to work with Innovation led companies like Connexica. It was a pleasure to support them to develop a Knowledge Transfer Partnership to develop their AI product.  Artificial intelligence is a growing sector and Staffordshire University has leading expert academics in this field.  As part of my role at the University, I coordinate KTP bids and encourage collaboration between businesses and our esteemed academics and graduates. Connexica has been a pleasure to work with, and we are excited to continue this partnership."

Overall, Connexica highly recommends the KTP programme to other organisations looking to gain access to expertise and develop transformational products, with the help of Staffordshire University.