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 Robotics
Q5D
Debt Financing in 2025
Q5D is an innovative company that specializes in automating the manufacture and assembly of wiring looms and harnesses across various industrial sectors. By developing advanced laser micromachining technology, Q5D streamlines the intricate process of connecting electrical components. This technology enhances global manufacturing capabilities, particularly in consumer goods, electronics, automotive, aerospace, and robotics. By enabling the direct addition of wires and printed electronics to product surfaces, Q5D improves quality, productivity, and functionality while reducing manufacturing costs. As a result, the company provides its clients with a significant advantage in achieving efficiency, resilience, and sustainability in their operations.
Automated Architecture
Grant in 2024
Automated Architecture provides the technological infrastructure for a distributed robotic micro-factory network producing sustainable timber housing.
Nami Surgical
Grant in 2024
Nami Surgical specializes in developing and providing advanced robotic surgery technology. Their core offering is ultrasonic surgical tools designed to enhance the current robotic-assisted surgery market. By simplifying and making procedures safer, they expand the use of robots in surgeries requiring ultrasonic devices, thereby improving clinical outcomes and patient care. Their solutions provide surgeons with intuitive, high-performance, and maneuverable instruments for complex surgical tasks.
Fieldwork Robotics
Grant in 2024
Fieldwork Robotics Ltd. is a company based in Plymouth, United Kingdom, established in 2016. It focuses on developing and manufacturing modular robotic tools specifically designed for agricultural applications, particularly for the efficient harvesting of raspberries. The company's innovative tool features a soft, adaptable robotic arm equipped with a highly sensitive gripper that can delicately handle fragile fruits. This technology aims to lower the harvest cost per berry, minimize waste, and offer a reliable and sustainable solution for fruit-growing businesses.
Q5D
Grant in 2024
Q5D is an innovative company that specializes in automating the manufacture and assembly of wiring looms and harnesses across various industrial sectors. By developing advanced laser micromachining technology, Q5D streamlines the intricate process of connecting electrical components. This technology enhances global manufacturing capabilities, particularly in consumer goods, electronics, automotive, aerospace, and robotics. By enabling the direct addition of wires and printed electronics to product surfaces, Q5D improves quality, productivity, and functionality while reducing manufacturing costs. As a result, the company provides its clients with a significant advantage in achieving efficiency, resilience, and sustainability in their operations.
Rivelin Robotics
Grant in 2024
Rivelin Robotics specializes in the development of advanced robotic solutions for metal additive manufacturing post-processing. The company's AI technology, known as NetShape®, enables robots to autonomously perform tasks such as cutting, grinding, and polishing metal, thereby enhancing efficiency in manufacturing. By integrating state-of-the-art sensors and processes, Rivelin's robots offer improved dexterity and versatility, making industrial operations safer and more efficient. This innovation aims to eliminate repetitive and labor-intensive tasks, ultimately reducing costs and protecting the health of workers in the manufacturing sector.
Industrial Robotic Solutions
Grant in 2024
Industrial Robotic Solutions creates a robotic selecting and placement solution that automatically deposits fresh ingredients into industrially manufactured sandwiches.
Bioliberty
Grant in 2023
Bioliberty is a medtech start-up focused on creating innovative rehabilitation solutions for individuals with degenerative and traumatic conditions. The company develops robotic gloves that leverage artificial intelligence to facilitate muscle recovery. By utilizing assistive robotics and rehabilitative devices, Bioliberty aims to support patients suffering from various ailments, including stroke, motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. These devices are designed to assist users in overcoming hand weakness, enabling them to perform daily tasks more effectively and enhance their hand strength, ultimately promoting greater independence and comfort in their own homes.
Crover
Grant in 2023
Crover is focused on the commercialization of innovative technology that enables locomotion in bulk solids, such as grains and powders. The company has developed a small robotic device capable of navigating through stored cereal grains in silos or sheds. This device continuously monitors the condition of the grains, providing grain storage operators with critical information to identify potential issues and maintain the quality of their stock. By ensuring that no grain is left unchecked, Crover's technology enhances the overall health and safety practices within grain storage operations.
Loop Technology
Seed Round in 2023
Loop Technology specializes in industrial automation solutions and robotics, focusing on enhancing output and ensuring consistent product quality. The company offers a diverse array of services, including labeling, machining, bespoke solutions, assembly, and laser cleaning. Additionally, Loop Technology supports industries such as aerospace, automotive, and renewable energy by providing high-value manufacturing automation technology. Their offerings also include a loop leasing program, vision systems, and software development, catering to the increasing demand for composite materials in manufacturing processes. Loop Technology aims to streamline production and improve efficiency across various sectors.
Chassis Autonomy
Grant in 2023
Chassis Autonomy focuses on the design, development, and manufacturing of steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire systems specifically for Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous vehicles. The company aims to enhance autonomous mobility by creating fail-operational steering and braking systems that ensure safety and reliability in highly automated and fully autonomous vehicles. Through its comprehensive approach, Chassis Autonomy contributes to the advancement of safe and efficient transportation solutions in the realm of autonomous technology.
Phase Space
Grant in 2023
Phase Space specializes in motion capture technology that enhances virtual reality experiences, focusing on applications in gaming, robotics, and other fields. Its patented Intelligent Active Marker technology allows for high-definition motion capture, capturing multiple frames per second to deliver accurate and reliable results. This technology enables users to create immersive experiences that closely mimic reality. In addition to its motion capture capabilities, Phase Space employs virtual reality to provide effective stress and anxiety relief, offering users a quick solution with lasting effects.
Oxford Dynamics
Grant in 2023
Oxford Dynamics develops robotics & AI solutions for space, security & defence sectors. AVIS (A Very Intelligent System) is OD's flagship generative AI platform for the processing of complex multimodal data. Designed to augment human data analysts, AVIS 'force multiples' their throughput; freeing humans to concentrate on high-level decision-making as opposed to lower-level data sifting and comparison. AVIS is in use by a number of UK government agencies via a Framework Lite Agreement. Oxford Dynamics robotics work includes its STRIDER platform, an AI-enabled tracked robot developed to assist with response to Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) events. Oxford Dynamics is self-funded via a mix of founders cash, grant and contract wins.
Rivelin Robotics
Grant in 2023
Rivelin Robotics specializes in the development of advanced robotic solutions for metal additive manufacturing post-processing. The company's AI technology, known as NetShape®, enables robots to autonomously perform tasks such as cutting, grinding, and polishing metal, thereby enhancing efficiency in manufacturing. By integrating state-of-the-art sensors and processes, Rivelin's robots offer improved dexterity and versatility, making industrial operations safer and more efficient. This innovation aims to eliminate repetitive and labor-intensive tasks, ultimately reducing costs and protecting the health of workers in the manufacturing sector.
Productive Machines
Grant in 2023
Productive Machines specializes in software optimization for the machining industry, helping manufacturers enhance productivity and sustainability. The company utilizes a digital twin of the machining process, incorporating physics, mechanics, dynamics, distortion, and vibration data to simulate and test millions of parameters. This approach allows manufacturers to refine their CAM and Gcode, ultimately improving part quality and reducing cycle times. By addressing issues such as chatter vibrations and tooling costs, Productive Machines enables machining companies to achieve better surface finishes and dimensional accuracy, streamlining their operations and reducing costs. The company emerged as a spin-out from the UK Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, reflecting its commitment to advancing manufacturing technologies.
LabGenius
Grant in 2022
LabGenius Ltd is a biopharmaceutical company based in London that focuses on discovering new biological molecules through the integration of artificial intelligence, automation, and synthetic DNA. Founded in 2012, the company has developed a robotic platform known as EVA, which acts as a robot scientist capable of designing, conducting, and learning from its own experiments. LabGenius specializes in developing next-generation protein therapeutics aimed at addressing unmet medical needs, including conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Their innovative approach utilizes advanced machine learning and synthetic biology to engineer the properties of protein drugs, enhancing attributes such as protease stability and tissue penetration. This technology enables the efficient creation of protein therapeutics, providing physicians with access to cutting-edge treatments developed through robotic automation.
Chassis Autonomy
Grant in 2022
Chassis Autonomy focuses on the design, development, and manufacturing of steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire systems specifically for Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous vehicles. The company aims to enhance autonomous mobility by creating fail-operational steering and braking systems that ensure safety and reliability in highly automated and fully autonomous vehicles. Through its comprehensive approach, Chassis Autonomy contributes to the advancement of safe and efficient transportation solutions in the realm of autonomous technology.
Muddy Machines
Grant in 2022
Muddy Machines develops autonomous robots aimed at assisting farms with labor-intensive crops by automating fieldwork. The company initially focuses on its green asparagus harvest technology while planning to expand its capabilities to other crops. Additionally, Muddy Machines is exploring the use of its robotic platform for other labor-intensive tasks, such as weeding and precision applications. The robots utilize computer vision and machine learning to assess crop maturity and perform selective harvesting, ensuring that crops are picked with care to minimize damage. This innovation enables farmers to increase local produce yields and maintain the freshness of their crops.
Muddy Machines
Grant in 2022
Muddy Machines develops autonomous robots aimed at assisting farms with labor-intensive crops by automating fieldwork. The company initially focuses on its green asparagus harvest technology while planning to expand its capabilities to other crops. Additionally, Muddy Machines is exploring the use of its robotic platform for other labor-intensive tasks, such as weeding and precision applications. The robots utilize computer vision and machine learning to assess crop maturity and perform selective harvesting, ensuring that crops are picked with care to minimize damage. This innovation enables farmers to increase local produce yields and maintain the freshness of their crops.
Earth Rover
Grant in 2022
Earth Rover Limited is a company based in Newport, United Kingdom, that specializes in developing robotic agriculture systems aimed at enhancing farming practices. Founded in 2017, the company creates autonomous farming robots designed to improve precision farming through applications such as scouting, weeding, and selective harvesting. These robots utilize technology originally developed for the ExoMars Rover, modified to support precision tools and to work in conjunction with an intelligent data platform. This innovative approach enables farmers to transition from traditional farming methods to more autonomous and efficient agricultural practices, promoting the production of fresh and chemical-free products.
MiiCare
Grant in 2021
MiiCare is an innovative company that has developed an AI-powered Home Care Platform tailored for older adults, their families, and caregivers. This platform aims to transform living spaces into safe and connected environments, promoting active aging through a focus on prevention and personalized care. MiiCare integrates various technologies, including telehealth devices, passive sensors, and acoustic sensing, to monitor health determinants such as physical environment, vital signs, and mental well-being. Central to its approach is a conversational AI named Monica, which serves as a Digital Health Coach. Monica engages with users to ensure medication adherence, encourage healthy habits, and provide personalized digital therapeutic content. By enabling remote care delivery and comprehensive assessments of well-being, MiiCare supports caregivers in reducing costs and hospitalizations while enhancing the overall quality of care for aging individuals.
MiiCare
Grant in 2021
MiiCare is an innovative company that has developed an AI-powered Home Care Platform tailored for older adults, their families, and caregivers. This platform aims to transform living spaces into safe and connected environments, promoting active aging through a focus on prevention and personalized care. MiiCare integrates various technologies, including telehealth devices, passive sensors, and acoustic sensing, to monitor health determinants such as physical environment, vital signs, and mental well-being. Central to its approach is a conversational AI named Monica, which serves as a Digital Health Coach. Monica engages with users to ensure medication adherence, encourage healthy habits, and provide personalized digital therapeutic content. By enabling remote care delivery and comprehensive assessments of well-being, MiiCare supports caregivers in reducing costs and hospitalizations while enhancing the overall quality of care for aging individuals.
Grayscale AI
Grant in 2021
Grayscale AI is a company focused on developing advanced machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence solutions, particularly for autonomous drones. By leveraging neuromorphic computing, the company aims to enhance the integration of Computer Vision, Neural Computation, and Robotics. Grayscale AI operates a vision-based intelligence platform that facilitates integrated human-autonomous fleet operations, offering services such as real-time localization and mapping, sensor fusion, and visual motion estimation. These capabilities enable customers to utilize optimization-driven AI that mimics human neural networks. The company is backed by venture capital and has participated in notable programs like NATO DIANA, xTech, and Zenzic, reflecting its commitment to innovation in the field.
Muddy Machines
Grant in 2021
Muddy Machines develops autonomous robots aimed at assisting farms with labor-intensive crops by automating fieldwork. The company initially focuses on its green asparagus harvest technology while planning to expand its capabilities to other crops. Additionally, Muddy Machines is exploring the use of its robotic platform for other labor-intensive tasks, such as weeding and precision applications. The robots utilize computer vision and machine learning to assess crop maturity and perform selective harvesting, ensuring that crops are picked with care to minimize damage. This innovation enables farmers to increase local produce yields and maintain the freshness of their crops.
Muddy Machines
Grant in 2021
Muddy Machines develops autonomous robots aimed at assisting farms with labor-intensive crops by automating fieldwork. The company initially focuses on its green asparagus harvest technology while planning to expand its capabilities to other crops. Additionally, Muddy Machines is exploring the use of its robotic platform for other labor-intensive tasks, such as weeding and precision applications. The robots utilize computer vision and machine learning to assess crop maturity and perform selective harvesting, ensuring that crops are picked with care to minimize damage. This innovation enables farmers to increase local produce yields and maintain the freshness of their crops.
Rivelin Robotics
Grant in 2021
Rivelin Robotics specializes in the development of advanced robotic solutions for metal additive manufacturing post-processing. The company's AI technology, known as NetShape®, enables robots to autonomously perform tasks such as cutting, grinding, and polishing metal, thereby enhancing efficiency in manufacturing. By integrating state-of-the-art sensors and processes, Rivelin's robots offer improved dexterity and versatility, making industrial operations safer and more efficient. This innovation aims to eliminate repetitive and labor-intensive tasks, ultimately reducing costs and protecting the health of workers in the manufacturing sector.
MiiCare
Grant in 2020
MiiCare is an innovative company that has developed an AI-powered Home Care Platform tailored for older adults, their families, and caregivers. This platform aims to transform living spaces into safe and connected environments, promoting active aging through a focus on prevention and personalized care. MiiCare integrates various technologies, including telehealth devices, passive sensors, and acoustic sensing, to monitor health determinants such as physical environment, vital signs, and mental well-being. Central to its approach is a conversational AI named Monica, which serves as a Digital Health Coach. Monica engages with users to ensure medication adherence, encourage healthy habits, and provide personalized digital therapeutic content. By enabling remote care delivery and comprehensive assessments of well-being, MiiCare supports caregivers in reducing costs and hospitalizations while enhancing the overall quality of care for aging individuals.
Dexory
Seed Round in 2020
Dexory specializes in warehouse operations by utilizing fully autonomous robots and Artificial Intelligence to capture real-time insights. The company develops mobile and modular robots that can measure, track, and locate goods within warehouses without disrupting existing workflows. By automating data collection, Dexory enhances the efficiency of receiving, storing, and dispatching goods, providing companies with unprecedented access to operational information. The real-time data generated by these robots is integrated into digital twin technology, allowing logistics and warehouse managers to swiftly address daily operational challenges. Ultimately, Dexory's solutions aim to reduce costs and save time by minimizing the resources spent on locating missing goods.
Rivelin Robotics
Grant in 2019
Rivelin Robotics specializes in the development of advanced robotic solutions for metal additive manufacturing post-processing. The company's AI technology, known as NetShape®, enables robots to autonomously perform tasks such as cutting, grinding, and polishing metal, thereby enhancing efficiency in manufacturing. By integrating state-of-the-art sensors and processes, Rivelin's robots offer improved dexterity and versatility, making industrial operations safer and more efficient. This innovation aims to eliminate repetitive and labor-intensive tasks, ultimately reducing costs and protecting the health of workers in the manufacturing sector.
Perceptual Robotics
Grant in 2018
Perceptual Robotics, founded in 2016, specializes in developing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for wind turbine inspections. Their flagship product, Dhalion, is an autonomous, intelligent UAV that enables existing inspection engineers to conduct thorough, high-quality inspections in minutes, rather than hours. Dhalion identifies defects such as lightning strikes, cracks, erosion, and delamination, providing precise data about their position, size, and severity. The company, based in Bristol, UK, aims to increase inspection efficiency, enhance safety, and support data-driven decision-making in wind turbine operations and maintenance.
HayBeeSee
Pre Seed Round in 2018
HayBeeSee is introducing fundamental change to "agronomy" and farming best-practice utilising state-of-the-art robotics and AI. We are creating a novel robotics platform allowing large daily coverage as well as close proximity sensing and interaction for farmers. The world of agri-tech is fast moving towards precision agriculture & robotics, yet farmers today lack access to any real products that deliver quality data or impact on their farm at all. Meet the CropHopper®, world’s first robot designed for fast and efficient jumping across fields to scan crops, identify weeds (single leaf), aphids & other bugs, early signs of disease, tiller-count, plant count, grain-counts per head as well as to carry out mechanical weeding and spot spraying. Lightweight, jumping all season, even in growing crops. An integrated, full-season management strategy.
Oxa
Grant in 2017
Oxa is a developer of autonomous vehicle software that focuses on creating AI-based platforms for the operation and scaling of fleets of autonomous vehicles. The company's technology combines laser vision and radar for effective localization, allowing autonomous systems to understand their surroundings and navigate safely in complex environments. Oxa's software is designed to operate with low compute power requirements, making it accessible for various business applications. By providing solutions that enhance vehicle positioning and movement prediction, Oxa enables clients to implement and accelerate the deployment of autonomous vehicles in a range of settings.
Perceptual Robotics
Grant in 2017
Perceptual Robotics, founded in 2016, specializes in developing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for wind turbine inspections. Their flagship product, Dhalion, is an autonomous, intelligent UAV that enables existing inspection engineers to conduct thorough, high-quality inspections in minutes, rather than hours. Dhalion identifies defects such as lightning strikes, cracks, erosion, and delamination, providing precise data about their position, size, and severity. The company, based in Bristol, UK, aims to increase inspection efficiency, enhance safety, and support data-driven decision-making in wind turbine operations and maintenance.
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