Innovate UK

www.innovateuk.org

 

Mission
Innovate UK is a business-focused organisation dedicated to promoting technology-enabled innovation across the UK. Its role is to promote and support research into and development and exploitation of science, technology and new ideas for the benefit of business, in order to increase sustainable economic growth and improve the quality of life.

The Technology Strategy Board was established in July 2007 as a Non Departmental Public Body. It is sponsored by the UK Government Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. It is the UK’s national innovation agency.

 

Budget
Approximately €1,3 billion over 3 years. This includes Government funding of €893 million as well as additional joint investments from the UK’s Research Councils (previously a commitment of €176 million).

 

Activities
The Technology Strategy Board runs a number of programmes, and in the recent strategy document ‘Concept to Commercialisation’, a number of new or scaled-up initiatives were outlined including the development of Technology and Innovation Centres (TICs), the expansion of support to cover commercialisation and the scaling-up of the pre-commercial procurement (SBRI) scheme. TICs are centres of excellence in particular areas, starting with High Value Manufacturing, Cell Therapy and Offshore Renewable Energy. In total there will  be 6 TICs in the UK.

 

In addition there are the following programmes:

 

*Innovation Platforms
o These target major policy, societal or market challenges. The Technology Strategy Board works with business, research, government departments and regulators and brings together public and private funding to support programmes to deliver innovative solutions to these challenges.

 

* Research & Development
o Funding business-business or business-academic collaborations through the Collaborative R&D Competitions.
o Funding single business R&D through the Grant for R&D Competitions.

* Knowledge Transfer Networks
o Connecting broad business and academic communities in national clusters, with the overall objective of accelerating technology transfer into UK business.
o They also provide an expert forum for a coherent business voice, acting as the eyes and ears of the Technology Strategy Board and advising on technology needs or on issues which enhance or inhibit innovation.

 

* Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
o Placing high calibre graduates into companies, to work on specific projects, bringing cutting edge research from academia to business.

 

Staff
140. A number of functions (e.g. project assessors and monitoring) are contracted out, so are not included in the staff number. Most staff have a business background.

 

Contact
Kate Scheidecker Yarrington
North Star House, North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1UE
UK
Phone: +44 1793442700
Fax: +44 7824599682
E-mail: Kate.Yarrington@innovateuk.gov.uk

 

www.innovateuk.org