Global Business Innovation Programme USA - Applicant Briefing

Join us at 4pm on Thursday 2nd October 2024 for an applicant briefing for nnovate UK's Global Business Innovation Programme that will be visiting the USA (Boston & Pittsburgh) in March 2025.

Each GBIP aims to help UK businesses grow and scale on a global stage through building R&D and innovation collaborations and partnerships and accelerating access to the market.

The programme consists of a Get ready preparation phase followed by a market visit to USA (Boston & Pittsburgh), to include a 5-day tailored programme to connect with businesses, research organisations, and other key stakeholders, followed by an Exploit the opportunity workshop.

The programme will provide a unique opportunity to find partners and identify opportunities for technology and innovation collaboration. Participants will benefit from bespoke support from an innovation and growth specialist to leverage the contacts, opportunities and knowledge gained and to support the growth journey of the business.

This GBIP is being delivered by Innovate UK and funded by Made Smarter Innovation (MSI). It is one of five GBIPs running between now and the end March 2026 as part of the MSI Challenge.

What This Briefing Covers:

Understand the eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and insider tips on crafting a winning application.

Gain a comprehensive understanding of what the programme entails and the expected outcomes.

Engage directly with programme managers to ask your questions and gain deeper insights into the programme's structure and benefits.

Ideal Candidates:

This programme is for innovative technology providers with capability to deliver digital manufacturing solutions in the following technology areas.

Digital technologies with clear links to Artificial Intelligence (AI) within Manufacturing such as:

• Data acquisition, presentation and pattern finding including: Generative AI - including Large Language Models, AI Agents & Agentic AI (including Autonomous Decision Making), AI Agents & Agentic AI - including Autonomous Decision Making Future Artificial Intelligence trajectory
• Other transferable learning opportunities from non-manufacturing to manufacturing environments

The scope of the above contributes to the delivery of the following aims:

• World-class production - develop digital technologies for manufacturing factories to become more efficient, sustainable, productive, flexible and resilient through the development of digital approaches to better optimise performance within production operations.
• Resilient supply chains – develop digital technologies for manufacturing supply chains to become more efficient, sustainable, productive, flexible and resilient through the development of digital approaches to better integrate and optimise performance and flow of information, materials or money across supply chain nodes.

What to Expect from the Programme:

Successful applicants will benefit from an intensive 9-12 month, three phase programme with bespoke support from an innovation and growth specialist throughout.

Get ready: A two-day preparation workshop to build knowledge and understanding of the market and opportunities, including cultural aspects, how to do business, protecting Intellectual Property, and support to better articulate your value proposition.

Visit the market: Explore the innovation opportunities first-hand through pre-arranged matchmaking events, meetings with key contacts, research organisations and potential collaborators and partners.

Exploit the opportunity: An exploitation workshop and one-to-one bespoke support from an innovation and growth specialist to help you follow-up and maximise the opportunities identified through the programme.

How to Apply:

Applications are open until 5pm on Friday 7th November 2025.

Programme application form

For more information or specific inquiries, please contact Ian Fletcher at Ian.Fletcher@iukbg.ukri.org

About Innovate UK

Innovate UK is the UK's national innovation agency. We support business-led innovation in all sectors, technologies and UK regions. We help businesses grow through the development and commercialisation of new products, processes, and services, supported by an outstanding innovation ecosystem that is agile, inclusive, and easy to navigate. For further information, visit: https://www.ukri.org/councils/innovate-uk