Innovate UK is a non-departmental public body established in 2007 and based in Swindon, United Kingdom. Funded by a government grant, it supports innovation in science and technology by providing funding services to businesses across various sectors and regions. The organization aims to drive productivity and economic growth by facilitating advancements that contribute to the UK’s economic landscape. In addition to funding, Innovate UK offers a range of services and information related to business and economic development, thereby fostering a supportive environment for innovation.
Programme Director of Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund
Will Drury
Executive Director, Digital and Technologies
Paul Gadd
Deputy Director
Dr. Tom Jenkins
Deputy Director
Scott James O'Brien
Director, Innovation Finance
Nigel Walker
Deputy Director, Lending and Investor Partnerships
Dave Wilkes
Director of Innovation Ecosystem
Past deals in Education
Near-Life
Grant in 2024
Near-Life specializes in immersive learning content, focusing on the integration of interactive video and gaming technology for training purposes. The company has developed an online learning platform that employs a gaming approach to enhance eLearning experiences. By combining video scenarios with role-play elements, Near-Life provides users with an engaging and intuitive training method. This innovative approach allows learners to actively participate in their education, making the training process more effective and enjoyable. As pioneers in the field, Near-Life continues to advance the intersection of technology, learning, and media.
University of Bristol
Grant in 2024
The University of Bristol is a red brick research university that offers a range of educational courses and services. The university is organized into six academic facilities: Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, and Faculty of Social Sciences and Law. These faculties together award a range of academic degrees spanning bachelor's and master's degrees as well as junior doctorates and higher doctorates. University of Bristol was established in 1876 and is based in Bristol, United Kingdom.
Loughborough University
Grant in 2024
Loughborough is a fantastic place to study and work, boasting unrivalled sporting achievement, internationally acclaimed research and outstanding teaching quality. Our attractive single-site campus provides an environment that is stimulating and supportive, offering first-rate facilities for both students and staff. There is a real pride in the University that touches everyone associated with it.
University of Nottingham
Grant in 2024
The University of Nottingham is a leading, financially secure, campus-based institution renowned for its research, international outlook, and comprehensive academic offerings. It provides undergraduate sport courses and boasts a prestigious business school with campuses in the UK, China, and Malaysia, renowned for its influential research and strong corporate connections. The university is committed to internationalising its core activities, recruiting top students and staff globally, and preparing students for successful futures.
Mi-box Live
Grant in 2024
Mi-box Live creates Maths Sports Challenge board games to make studying math fun and engaging through face-to-face interactions. Its objective is to provide interactive learning experiences to individuals of all mathematics abilities, including friendly competition to develop emotional regulation skills.
Plytime Learning
Grant in 2024
Plytime Learning is an educational company that offers online and offline tutoring, e-learning, plays and games, and parent meeting.
University of Salford
Grant in 2024
Established with a clear vision to excel in teaching, research, innovation and engagement, Salford Business School enjoys an excellent national and international reputation for its courses, teaching quality and the progression of students into responsible positions across a variety of industries. Their emphasis of combining a highly contemporary curriculum with a range of professional development opportunities provides a mix of academic and hands on development.
The University of Edinburgh
Grant in 2023
The University of Edinburgh, established in 1583, is a prestigious institution located in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. It is renowned globally for its academic excellence, offering a wide range of disciplines, including its renowned Medical School and Law School. As one of Scotland's ancient universities, it is committed to delivering high-quality education, conducting cutting-edge research, and fostering innovation to address global challenges.
Warwick Business School
Grant in 2023
Warwick Business School (WBS), established in 1967 and located in Coventry, United Kingdom, is recognized as the UK's leading institution for finance and business research and education. As the largest department of the University of Warwick, WBS aims to become Europe's premier university-based business school. The school focuses on producing impactful research, cultivating world-class business leaders, and ensuring a significant return on investment for its students, alumni, and partners. WBS offers a range of programs, including undergraduate, master's, MBA, and PhD courses, attracting a diverse student body from approximately 120 countries. Its commitment to developing transformational ideas and enhancing the practice of business and management underpins its prestigious reputation and state-of-the-art facilities.
Queen's University Belfast
Grant in 2023
Queen's University Belfast provides knowledge transfer partnerships, and cyber security research, and is a recognized center. The company provides services for children and students.
Solar for Schools
Grant in 2023
Solar for Schools is a digital platform designed to assist educational institutions, including schools, kindergartens, and colleges, in generating their own solar energy. The platform connects students, volunteers, local partners, councils, and diocese to facilitate the development of solar projects more efficiently and with reduced risk and costs. By bringing together partners, funders, and installers, Solar for Schools aims to simplify the process of adopting solar energy, making it accessible regardless of a school's financial situation. Additionally, the platform offers energy and carbon literacy education, equipping students with the knowledge to understand environmental challenges and contribute to a carbon-neutral future. Through these initiatives, Solar for Schools promotes sustainability, helping institutions cut carbon emissions, save on energy costs, and inspire future generations to embrace eco-friendly practices.
Green Bean Studios
Grant in 2023
Green Bean Studios develops retail, music, TV, film, and immersive events/attractions to inspire children to learn, discover, nurture, and appreciate the world's natural resources.
Adapt
Grant in 2023
Adapt is a mobile application designed to assist students in managing their study schedules. It provides an up-to-date, personalized revision timetable that adjusts to users' changing calendars, integrating multiple teacher-written, exam-specific lessons. The platform offers past-paper questions with instant feedback and tracks progress through real-time updates, helping students stay organized and study efficiently.
Equal Adventure Developments
Grant in 2023
EAD provides inclusion training as well as designs and sells adventure expedition and sports equipment. EAD Ltd donates its income to the EA Charity in order to provide inclusive adventure, excursions, and well-being programmes, as well as to encourage young people.
The Allergy Team
Grant in 2023
The Allergy Team assists families, companies, and educational institutions in managing food allergies.
Equality Group
Grant in 2023
Equality Group is a consulting organization based in London, United Kingdom, founded in 2018. It specializes in diversifying businesses within the finance, technology, and social impact sectors. The firm offers a range of services, including executive search, strategic consultancy, and inclusion education. Additionally, it has developed Honordex, a data platform that benchmarks and ranks companies based on their equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) performance. Through its comprehensive approach, Equality Group aims to foster inclusive environments and enhance organizational effectiveness.
BERRI
Grant in 2023
BERRI is a digital toolkit that can identify, track, and support children's psychological needs, as well as provide personalized reports to their carers. It analyses children and young people's needs in areas such as behavior, emotional well-being, relationships, risk, and indicators of underlying disorders.
Kids Speech Labs
Grant in 2023
Kids Speech Labs is a digital health company focused on transforming the delivery of speech and language therapy services through innovative technology. The company develops AI-driven solutions that include remote monitoring tools and interactive speech and language games. These resources empower parents to track their children's speech development effectively. By leveraging artificial intelligence, Kids Speech Labs aims to enhance the therapeutic experience, making it more accessible and engaging for children and their families.
Autsera
Grant in 2023
Autsera is a children's game studio that develops mobile games to enhance social communication skills in children, particularly those on the autism spectrum or with special needs. Their science-backed games employ gamification and proven therapy techniques to target emotional intelligence, expressive skills, and social engagement. By making these interventions accessible and engaging, Autsera aims to empower children to develop self-sufficiency, confidence, and the tools to achieve their dreams.
CalmBrain
Grant in 2023
CalmBrain is a digital platform that provides psychological intervention for schools to assist students in managing their mental health, including anxiety, stress, and trauma.
InnovateHer
Grant in 2023
InnovateHer aims to make a significant impact on gender inequality in technology. Offers virtual courses and an e-Learning site to join for the student community. It equips girls aged 13-16 with the self-belief and skills to pursue a career in technology through educational programs. It was established in 2017 and is based in Liverpool, Merseyside.
Cineon Immersive Training
Grant in 2023
Cineon Immersive Training, based in Exeter, England, specializes in providing a variety of training services, including virtual, behavioral, and immersive training. The company offers eye tracking services that assess a person's attention and concentration, which can indicate their mental, emotional, and cognitive health. In addition to eye tracking, Cineon delivers instructor-led training, e-learning, and virtual reality training solutions tailored for high-risk environments. Their comprehensive approach aims to enhance users' skills and improve overall performance through innovative training methodologies.
Animorph
Grant in 2023
Animorph is a technology company that develops next-generation software for creating immersive media applications using extended reality (XR). The company's mission is to enhance human potential by leveraging immersive technology in a socially responsible manner. Animorph's platform uses Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and Neural Machine Translation (NMT) to improve user interaction in XR, with applications in mental and physical health, education, and knowledge retention.
Play Well for Life
Grant in 2023
Play Well For Life is an educational games company focused on fostering emotional intelligence in children, teenagers, and parents through interactive games. The company aims to create a supportive environment for learning, emphasizing the importance of happy, informed, and inspired children. By developing innovative games and educational materials, Play Well For Life provides parents with tools that facilitate game-based learning, equipping children with essential skills for a technology-driven future. Their products are designed to blend play with education, allowing children to enjoy the learning process while gaining valuable knowledge and emotional skills necessary for navigating today's digital landscape.
University of Plymouth
Grant in 2023
University of Plymouth is a world-leading modern, contemporary university and have fostered a dynamic and agile culture where great decisions are made at all levels each day. They have exceptional levels of student satisfaction, undertake world-class research with impact and their enterprising approach along with a commitment to raising aspirations and innovation is making a real and sustainable difference to their students, staff, partners and society on a global stage.
National Biofilms Innovation Centre
Grant in 2022
The National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) serves as a collaborative hub uniting academia, industry, government, and public policy to address the challenges posed by biofilms, which significantly impact global economic activity across sectors such as food, health, shipping, clean water, and energy. Supported by funding from the BBSRC, Innovate UK, and Hartree Centre, NBIC's mission focuses on fostering a network for research and innovation that catalyzes partnerships with industry to drive breakthrough innovations. The Centre facilitates the exploration of unmet needs and the exchange of ideas through various initiatives, including roadmaps, workshops, and conferences. Additionally, NBIC is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of scientists through PhD and Post-Doc programs, alongside entrepreneurial training, aimed at enhancing their expertise and understanding of the commercial landscape while promoting the creation of new start-ups.
Anglia Ruskin University
Grant in 2022
Anglia Ruskin University, located in Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, has a rich history of 159 years dedicated to transforming lives through innovative and inclusive education and research. The university serves a diverse student body from over 185 countries, fostering an empowering educational experience that encourages students from various academic and societal backgrounds. Anglia Ruskin University offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees, along with distance learning, professional, and short courses. It also manages an endowment fund that supports scholarships, professorships, and research initiatives, enhancing academic and public service programs. The institution is committed to inclusivity and diversity, recognized as a Disability Confident Employer and a Stonewall Diversity Champion, reflecting its dedication to creating a welcoming community that enriches the educational environment.
Interactive Opportunities
Grant in 2022
Interactive Opportunities is a platform that provides online education to excite and motivate students. to combine teachers, talent, and technology in order to address pressing issues, create fresh learning opportunities, and ultimately improve student performance. works in the verticals of education and training, but its knowledge and technologies are increasingly being used in other fields, including broadcast and sports coaching. has aided in the development of numerous firsts, the majority of which have been successful but some of which have resulted in dead ends. This is all a result of pedagogy evolving and learning from mistakes.
Leeds Beckett University
Grant in 2022
Based in the thriving city of Leeds, our university is one of the most popular in the country.
University of Surrey
Grant in 2021
The University of Surrey, situated in Guildford just 30 miles from London, has a rich history dating back to 1891. It focuses on addressing global challenges through innovative research and education. The university is committed to nurturing students' curiosity and fostering a desire to contribute positively to society. With a beautiful campus environment, Surrey emphasizes the importance of research and development, aiming to enhance the quality of life and advance knowledge across various fields.
Learn.ink
Grant in 2021
Learn.ink is an online learning platform that offers a variety of courses. They build microlearning courses for the learners. They create a different product, such as a tool for farmers to sell their produce and get access to agronomy training.
CAPSLOCK
Grant in 2020
CAPSLOCK offers accessible, career-oriented education in emerging technologies, particularly focusing on cyber security. By providing intensive training programs entirely online, the company aims to equip individuals with practical skills that enhance their employability. CAPSLOCK emphasizes potential over past academic achievements in its admissions process, ensuring a diverse range of learners can access its courses. The company has enrolled over 700 students, with a significant employment rate of 70% within six months of graduation. Graduates have successfully secured positions at major organizations, experiencing an average salary increase of 65%. CAPSLOCK also supports its learners through mentoring programs and industry-specific certifications, addressing the skills gap in the UK's cyber sector. Since its launch in 2021, CAPSLOCK has received multiple awards for innovation and excellence in education, highlighting its commitment to transforming the landscape of tech careers.
Tutorbloc
Grant in 2020
Tutorbloc helps educators who teach one-to-one easily launch a website, accept bookings, share files, get paid, host virtual lessons, track progress & more.
TutorHero
Grant in 2020
TutorHero is an online learning platform focused on providing high-quality tutoring in English and Maths for children. By utilizing machine learning, TutorHero customizes tutoring sessions to meet individual student needs, ensuring effective learning experiences. The platform offers one-to-one tutoring, along with access to hundreds of revision videos and quizzes, all from the comfort of home. Additionally, TutorHero features interactive revision lessons and creative tutoring methods designed to foster a love of learning in students. This approach aims to help children catch up on educational gaps that may have arisen during the Covid-19 pandemic.
BOOP
Grant in 2020
BOOP is an innovative software education platform for children with special education needs (SEN). Boop focuses on creating greater independence, encouraging self-organisation and self-assessment and teaching and maintaining life skills for children on the Autism Spectrum.
teaglo
Grant in 2020
teaglo is a social network that gives teachers complete control over their personal brand, resources, professional development, and careers.
Thomson Screening
Grant in 2020
Thomson Screening is a supplier of software for health needs assessments, immunisations, and health screening. They offer schoolscreener software for managing and automating health program requirements. They also provide workscreener platform to provide critical health information to employers across sectors, such as the private sector and the public sector.
Bodyswaps
Grant in 2020
Bodyswaps is a London-based platform established in 2019 that specializes in immersive training for organizations seeking to enhance their workforce skills. By integrating virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and behavioral science, Bodyswaps offers a solution that allows users to engage in realistic workplace scenarios, enabling the practice of essential soft skills through roleplay with virtual characters. The platform delivers personalized training experiences and automated recommendations, making it suitable for both corporate and educational institutions. With off-the-shelf training modules, Bodyswaps aims to facilitate effective and scalable soft skills development, ultimately driving performance improvement across various sectors.
Near-Life
Grant in 2019
Near-Life specializes in immersive learning content, focusing on the integration of interactive video and gaming technology for training purposes. The company has developed an online learning platform that employs a gaming approach to enhance eLearning experiences. By combining video scenarios with role-play elements, Near-Life provides users with an engaging and intuitive training method. This innovative approach allows learners to actively participate in their education, making the training process more effective and enjoyable. As pioneers in the field, Near-Life continues to advance the intersection of technology, learning, and media.
Bodyswaps
Pre Seed Round in 2019
Bodyswaps is a London-based platform established in 2019 that specializes in immersive training for organizations seeking to enhance their workforce skills. By integrating virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and behavioral science, Bodyswaps offers a solution that allows users to engage in realistic workplace scenarios, enabling the practice of essential soft skills through roleplay with virtual characters. The platform delivers personalized training experiences and automated recommendations, making it suitable for both corporate and educational institutions. With off-the-shelf training modules, Bodyswaps aims to facilitate effective and scalable soft skills development, ultimately driving performance improvement across various sectors.
Knowledge Officer
Grant in 2019
Knowledge Officer Ltd is a UK-based company that provides software solutions aimed at managing information overload and enhancing the relevance of content for users. Established in 2016, the company offers a platform that collects and filters content from various online resources, utilizing machine learning and human expertise to deliver essential information tailored to individual needs. This approach enables users to create personalized and dynamic learning paths aligned with their career aspirations. Knowledge Officer focuses on equipping individuals with industry-relevant skills, facilitating a smooth transition from novice to employable professional. By offering targeted learning experiences and assessments, the company aims to support users in achieving their career goals efficiently.
Cambridge Spark
Grant in 2019
Cambridge Spark specializes in personalized data science training, providing a range of educational services including intensive boot camps, graduate schemes, apprenticeships, and customized corporate training courses. The company leverages its proprietary AI-powered platform to enhance the learning experience and enable organizations to develop their workforce in data science and artificial intelligence. By focusing on practical, industry-relevant skills, Cambridge Spark supports businesses in accelerating their digital transformation efforts through tailored educational solutions delivered by experts from both industry and academia.
Kopernio
Venture Round in 2018
Kopernio Limited develops a browser plug-in designed to streamline access to academic journal articles for institutions and researchers. This web-based software offers fast, one-click access to millions of research papers by locating PDFs while browsing, eliminating the need for VPN logins, complex login forms, and lengthy searches for free PDFs. Kopernio searches university library subscriptions, pre-print servers, institutional repositories, and private blogs to provide users with legitimate access to academic content. Founded in 2016 and based in London, United Kingdom, Kopernio operates as a subsidiary of Clarivate Plc. The platform allows users to work off-campus and save files for later use, enhancing the accessibility of academic research.
MedaPhor
Grant in 2017
MedaPhor Limited, an e-learning company, produces training products for postgraduate medical professionals. The company offers tutorials for learning or improving ultrasound examination techniques; and simulation technology solutions for medical education and training. Its solutions include Blue Phantom, which offers ultrasound phantoms for hands-on gynaecological and obstetrics simulation training; True Anatomy, an endovaginal training model for ultrasound simulation training; and intrauterine pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, and general pathology models. The company was incorporated in 2004 and is based in Cardiff, the United Kingdom.
Open Data Institute
Venture Round in 2017
The Open Data Institute Ltd. is a non-profit organization based in London, established in 2012. It aims to foster an open data culture that generates economic, environmental, and social value. By convening experts, the Institute promotes collaboration and innovation, helping to incubate and nurture new ideas through professional coaching and mentoring services. The organization offers a variety of educational courses focused on open data, including topics such as law and licensing, practical applications, and technologies. Through these initiatives, the Open Data Institute strives to unlock data supply, generate demand, and disseminate knowledge to address both local and global challenges. Founded by Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Professor Nigel Shadbolt, the Institute operates with a global remit, engaging with individuals and organizations interested in leveraging open data for societal benefit.
How Do I?
Grant in 2017
How Do I? teaches life and vocational skills through step-by-step videos linked to the learning environment using NFC technology.
Zzish
Grant in 2015
Zzish Limited is an educational technology company based in Guildford, United Kingdom, founded in 2013. It specializes in developing a mobile backend-as-a-service platform designed for educational application developers. Zzish offers tools such as a teacher dashboard that allows educators to monitor learning gaps and track student progress, as well as Quizalize, an engaging formative assessment tool that transforms curriculum topics into interactive quiz games for classroom or homework use. Additionally, the platform features Revision Buddies, which assists students in preparing for exams through self-assessment tools tailored to various GCSE subjects. Zzish's solutions are utilized by schools, teachers, and students globally, with a significant user base that includes millions of teachers and students who have engaged with its products. The platform enables personalized learning by providing real-time data insights, helping educators adapt their teaching methods to meet individual student needs effectively.
Playlingo
Grant in 2014
Playlingo is an educational technology company headquartered in London, Edinburgh, and Zurich, recognized for its innovative approach to language learning. The company has developed a game-based application specifically designed to assist migrants in the UK in learning English. This engaging app features a quiz-style format where users can compete with friends to quickly master new vocabulary. It includes built-in templates and a live dictionary, allowing learners to expand their English language skills through interactive word puzzles and animated games. Playlingo aims to promote daily reading habits among English learners, enhancing their speaking abilities and overall proficiency. The company has a successful history of producing high-quality educational products for notable organizations such as the BBC and Amazon.
New Media Education
Seed Round in 2014
New Media Education (NME) is the creator of Meducation and of various medical tutorials for UK medical students. Founded in 2008 NME aims to improve the quality of medical education worldwide. In 2009 the company launched Meducation, a social network initially aimed at UK medical students, which encourages interaction between geographically-diverse medical students. It also provides access to a large amount of free educational resources submitted by the community, as well as purchasable resources created by both NME and other small publishers. As of July 2013, Meducation had 30,000 members including 33% of UK medical students. NME is currently raising a £350k funding round to expand their services both internationally and to doctors and nurses. They expect to close the round during August 2013, hiring 6 new staff through September, and launching the first of their new products later in that year.
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