As part of the Innovate UK Delivery Plan, Innovate UK is to invest up to £15 million in innovative projects that inspire and stimulate the products and services of tomorrow.

The aim of this competition is to help UK businesses broaden their innovation activities, disrupt existing markets and find new revenue sources. It should support the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as large companies.

Grants can be awarded to projects led by a UK-based business of any size. In certain circumstances a research and technology organisation (RTO) may also be eligible to lead.

We welcome projects led by SMEs. An SME can apply on its own for funding up to £100,000. All consortia must involve at least one SME.

We expect projects to last from 6 months to 3 years and range in size from total project costs of £35,000 to £2 million.

An organisation may only lead on 1 project, but they could be a partner in 2 further projects.

There is also funding available for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs).

Competition Scope

We have four priority areas::

• Emerging technologies: Defined as technologies that are progressing in, or have recently emerged from, the research base.
• Digital
• Enabling capabilities: Such as Digital (including Cyber security, The Internet of Things, etc.), Immersive Technologies, Creative Economy, Electronics, Sensors and Photonics (ESP) & Robotics and Autonomous Systems.
• Space applications

Click here for more information on this competition.

This Brokerage Event will be a chance to hear about the scope of the competition and provide an opportunity for networking. Delegates will have the opportunity to give a short pitch on their capability offering and partner requirements.

Who should attend?

This event will benefit businesses, academics and researcher organisations involved in emerging or enabling technologies.

Partnering:

We will be making a one-to-one meeting facility available to delegates. Meeting Mojo enables you to book meetings with each other online, ahead of the event. This facility will open 2 weeks prior to the event and registered attendees will receive login details then. You can search or browse company/delegate listings, and request one-to-one meetings with other delegates which will take place at the event. You can also use this facility to pre-book meetings with Innovate UK and KTN.

Regional events:

KTN are planning a number of regional brokerage events during March in:

• Belfast - 13th March
• Edinburgh - 14th March
• Cardiff - 16th March
• Manchester - 23rd March