Co:Create – showing innovation and collaboration at AUB and BU

On Thursday 17 April 2025, an event held was held at both the Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) and Bournemouth University (BU) campuses. Called Co:Create, this was to showcase the innovations and great work happening at those two universities and their Innovation Centres.

The Spark is a concept, a community, an idea and goal of Dan Ware to bring some collective positivity and support to the business ecosystem of the BCP (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) area. Whilst many towns and cities have issues, it’s down to how you want to face the situation. Moan, do nothing or get stuck in.

Being able to visit both campuses and to see the scale of the universities at the same time was fantastic.

Starting off in The Gallery of AUB, Dan Ware introduced The Spark and the context behind it all.

The first speaker was Cameron Wilson from Diigitals who presented Shudu, a digital supermodel, that has graced the front pages of many fashion magazines. 

Andrew Olowude from Xenet explained about the work they do around AI.

Holly New, a graduate of AUB, showed how using VR and 3D imaging technologies can improve the workflow of design to finished product.

Alex Minshall from Finexos showed their work around how AI reduces the risks in the financial lending markets.

Penny Norman of AUB took us into how Knowledge Transfer Partnerships can really help bring about technical innovations in businesses by joining up with academic research. Thrudark is a Poole based clothing company creating products and designs that lean into the years the founders spent in the UK Special Forces.

We took a quick tour of AUB’s Innovation Studio with Rob Fanner.

Next, after a short walk onto Bournemouth University campus, we headed past a Dalek and into the Design & Engineering Innovation Centre.

Professor Zulfiqar Khan explained the depth of work they do and the patents that they are obtaining.

A quick look at the podcasting studios and then the final stop was at the Poole Gateway Building, which is where the TV studios are. The courses are very much about getting hands on with equipment and practice.

A very insightful day and something worth sharing to the wider world on what does happen here in BCP and Dorset.