Innovate UK

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.

Mike Biddle

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 3D Printing

Axial3D

Venture Round in 2024
Axial3D specializes in 3D printing for healthcare, focusing on creating precise, patient-specific physical models derived from CT and MRI scans. Their online ordering portal enables secure uploads, with an expert team using advanced technology to deliver these models directly to consultants. The company aims to enhance surgical planning, technique development, and ultimately improve patient outcomes by integrating 3D printing into mainstream medical practice.

Vector Photonics

Grant in 2024
Vector Photonics, based in Glasgow, Scotland, is a spin-out company from the University of Glasgow. It specializes in developing semiconductor laser technology for data communications and additive manufacturing, including metal and plastic printing. The company's innovation lies in photonic crystal surface-emitting lasers, which are low-cost and emit light from the top surface, facilitating easy packaging and integration into printed circuit boards (PCBs) and electronic assemblies. This enables various industries to adopt their semiconductor laser technology in daily operations.

Ultima Forma

Grant in 2024
Ultima Forma, based in the UK, is a pioneering manufacturer focused on developing advanced metallic engineering components. The company specializes in creating intricate, lightweight, high-strength parts featuring tailored nanoengineered characteristics across multiple materials. Their innovative process enables them to produce complex 3D structures with locally optimized properties, offering versatile solutions for various industries.

Photocentric

Grant in 2024
They are a leading manufacturer of liquid photopolymer resin for 3d printing as well as more traditional 2d printing, available in many packaging formats.

Rivelin Robotics

Grant in 2024
Rivelin Robotics specializes in the development of autonomous robotic systems focused on metal additive manufacturing post-processing. The company's flagship technology, NetShape®, empowers robots to autonomously cut, grind, and polish metal, significantly enhancing efficiency and safety in manufacturing environments. By incorporating advanced sensors and innovative processing techniques, Rivelin's robots offer increased dexterity and versatility, allowing manufacturers to streamline operations while minimizing costs. This technology not only improves productivity but also aims to ensure a safer working environment for employees by reducing the drudgery and hazards associated with traditional metalworking processes.

Additive Manufacturing Solutions

Seed Round in 2023
Additive Manufacturing (AM) refers to the entire process chain involved in selectively adding material and generating three-dimensional shapes. Because of this, AM is frequently referred to as 3D printing.

Peptimatrix

Pre Seed Round in 2023
Peptimatrix is a biotechnology company specializing in the development of an innovative, animal-free 3D cell culture platform. Utilizing a peptide hydrogel technology, the company aims to reduce and replace the use of animals and animal-derived products in drug development and research. By combining expertise from matrix biologists, cancer scientists, toxicologists, and biomaterial engineers, Peptimatrix offers a more reproducible, reliable, and ethical alternative to traditional cell culture methods. The company's mission is to provide researchers with a better way to model development and disease.

Rivelin Robotics

Grant in 2023
Rivelin Robotics specializes in the development of autonomous robotic systems focused on metal additive manufacturing post-processing. The company's flagship technology, NetShape®, empowers robots to autonomously cut, grind, and polish metal, significantly enhancing efficiency and safety in manufacturing environments. By incorporating advanced sensors and innovative processing techniques, Rivelin's robots offer increased dexterity and versatility, allowing manufacturers to streamline operations while minimizing costs. This technology not only improves productivity but also aims to ensure a safer working environment for employees by reducing the drudgery and hazards associated with traditional metalworking processes.

Rivelin Robotics

Grant in 2021
Rivelin Robotics specializes in the development of autonomous robotic systems focused on metal additive manufacturing post-processing. The company's flagship technology, NetShape®, empowers robots to autonomously cut, grind, and polish metal, significantly enhancing efficiency and safety in manufacturing environments. By incorporating advanced sensors and innovative processing techniques, Rivelin's robots offer increased dexterity and versatility, allowing manufacturers to streamline operations while minimizing costs. This technology not only improves productivity but also aims to ensure a safer working environment for employees by reducing the drudgery and hazards associated with traditional metalworking processes.

M-XR

Grant in 2020
M-XR is a technology company specializing in the development of advanced 3D production technology, enabling brands, studios, and creators to accurately and automatically digitize real-world objects. The company's platform integrates a custom-engineered system with machine learning capabilities to capture and convert intricate 3D information, which enhances the quality of digital representations. Focused on the virtual and augmented reality sectors, M-XR provides solutions that empower clients, particularly in the fashion industry, to leverage high-quality 3D models for various applications. This innovative approach allows for a seamless transition into the expansive realm of 3D content creation and utilization.

VividQ

Grant in 2020
VividQ Limited is a technology company based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, specializing in the development of software frameworks for generating, compressing, and transmitting 3D holographic images and video. The company offers a variety of products, including VividQ Capture, an API for converting 3D data into holographic formats, and VividQ Squeeze, a solution for compressing point cloud 3D data. Additionally, VividQ Core enables multi-user interactions with holograms at different focal planes, while VividQ View allows integration of various spatial light modulators into its holographic architecture. VividQ's advanced computational display technology aims to revolutionize digital displays by integrating holographic visuals into consumer electronics, augmented reality, virtual reality, and automotive applications. The company, which was formerly known as Penteract28 Limited before rebranding in 2017, collaborates with leading original equipment manufacturers to enhance user experiences in various sectors, including gaming, immersive simulations, and depth sensing.

Space Forge

Seed Round in 2020
Space Forge Limited is a company based in Bristol, United Kingdom, that specializes in the development of reusable satellites for manufacturing purposes. Founded in 2018, it focuses on creating advanced materials, including metals and crystals, that are not feasible to produce on Earth. By leveraging the unique conditions of space, Space Forge aims to manufacture super materials that enhance the efficiency of various industries, including computing, telecommunications, and pharmaceuticals. The company operates laboratories in Bristol and Wales, where it conducts research and development to support its mission of leading a clean industrial revolution through innovative manufacturing processes that reduce energy loss and carbon emissions.

Rivelin Robotics

Grant in 2019
Rivelin Robotics specializes in the development of autonomous robotic systems focused on metal additive manufacturing post-processing. The company's flagship technology, NetShape®, empowers robots to autonomously cut, grind, and polish metal, significantly enhancing efficiency and safety in manufacturing environments. By incorporating advanced sensors and innovative processing techniques, Rivelin's robots offer increased dexterity and versatility, allowing manufacturers to streamline operations while minimizing costs. This technology not only improves productivity but also aims to ensure a safer working environment for employees by reducing the drudgery and hazards associated with traditional metalworking processes.

ZEG

Grant in 2019
ZEG is a developer of a 3D model platform designed for various consumer goods, including furniture, shoes, and clothing. The platform utilizes computer vision and deep learning technologies to create photorealistic 3D content, allowing clients to effectively showcase their products. By offering an efficient means to present goods in three-dimensional and extended reality formats, ZEG helps businesses reduce both the time and costs associated with product visualization. This innovative approach enhances the consumer experience and aims to increase conversion rates for clients.

Gravity Sketch

Grant in 2019
Gravity Sketch Limited, established in 2014 and based in London, develops innovative 3D creation tools. It offers multi-platform solutions, including Gravity Sketch VR and Gravity Sketch iOS, empowering design teams to create, collaborate, and refine 3D models, geometries, and artwork more efficiently. The company's intuitive tools aim to streamline workflows and enhance cross-functional team collaboration, serving industries such as transportation, industrial design, apparel, and footwear.

Sensat

Grant in 2018
Sensat, established in 2015 and headquartered in London, specializes in cloud-based 3D virtual engineering solutions. The company operates a platform called Mapp, which uses mapping drones to generate precise survey data, enabling infrastructure owners and operators to visualize and manage projects in 2D, 3D, and 4D. This allows for optimized pre-construction planning, design, and bidding, as well as real-time tracking of project performance, facilitating data-driven decision-making without the need for on-site visits.

Cadscan

Grant in 2018
Cadscan Limited is a company specializing in the development of 3-dimensional (3D) products for the healthcare, dental, and industrial sectors. Founded in 2011 and based in Chester, United Kingdom, Cadscan integrates imaging, 3D printing, and 3D visualization technologies to create innovative products. Its offerings include 3D printed insoles, solutions for wound management, and robotic inspection systems. The company also develops a range of medical devices, such as custom orthotics, and employs advanced 3D scanning techniques for various applications. Cadscan Limited's focus on combining cutting-edge technology with practical healthcare solutions positions it as a key player in its industry.

Gravity Sketch

Grant in 2017
Gravity Sketch Limited, established in 2014 and based in London, develops innovative 3D creation tools. It offers multi-platform solutions, including Gravity Sketch VR and Gravity Sketch iOS, empowering design teams to create, collaborate, and refine 3D models, geometries, and artwork more efficiently. The company's intuitive tools aim to streamline workflows and enhance cross-functional team collaboration, serving industries such as transportation, industrial design, apparel, and footwear.

Additive Manufacturing Technologies

Non Equity Assistance in 2017
Additive Manufacturing Technologies (AMT) specializes in automated post-processing technology aimed at enhancing the efficiency of additive manufacturing. The company's flagship platform, PostPro, significantly improves cost, quality, safety, and throughput in the production of 3D printed parts. By automating the manual and often expensive steps traditionally associated with legacy additive manufacturing, AMT enables facilities to scale up to high-volume production lines. Their innovative digital technology and comprehensive suite of post-production hardware facilitate the processing of 3D-printed polymer parts, allowing clients to reduce lead times and manufacturing costs effectively.

Whispering Gibbon

Grant in 2014
Whispering Gibbon Ltd is a game company based in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, United Kingdom, that specializes in developing video game technology aimed at merging virtual content with the real world. Founded by Joe Stevens in 2011, the company focuses on innovative solutions such as RenderFab 3D, a cloud-based service that automates the creation of 3D print-ready models from 3D data, and Grabit, a platform for user-generated merchandising. Through these offerings, Whispering Gibbon aims to enhance the gaming experience by facilitating the transition of digital creations into tangible products.

MakieLab

Grant in 2011
MakieLab is a manufacturer of customizable toys aimed at entertaining children aged three years and older. The company specializes in creating 3D-printed, locally made toys that combine physical play with digital creativity. Its flagship product, Makies, is a customizable 10-inch fashion doll that allows users to digitally prototype and personalize their dolls and accessories through interactive apps and games. Since its launch in 2012, MakieLab has expanded its offerings and established partnerships with notable retailers, such as Selfridges and Hamleys in London. The company has also developed several applications, including Makies Doll Factory and Makies FabLab, which focus on creative fashion play, and has received recognition in the form of toy awards while distributing its products globally.
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