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 Aerospace

Q5D

Debt Financing in 2025
Q5D is an innovative company specializing in the automation of manufacturing and assembly processes for wiring looms. It develops advanced tools and laser micromachining technology that streamline the intricate connections of electric components. Q5D's solutions cater to various industrial sectors, including automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, and robotics. By enabling the direct addition of wire and printed electronics onto product surfaces, the company enhances manufacturing quality, productivity, and functionality while simultaneously lowering production costs. This technology provides clients with a competitive advantage in achieving efficiency, resilience, and sustainability in their operations.

GScan

Grant in 2024
GScan is pioneering innovative inspection technology that utilizes natural cosmic radiation, specifically muons, to safely and accurately scan various objects and determine their chemical composition. The company's flagship product, MuonFLUX, enables deep imaging of reinforced concrete, which is critical for assessing the integrity of infrastructure such as bridges and buildings. This technology offers significant benefits, including the prevention of infrastructure collapse, the extension of lifecycle for structures, targeted maintenance that reduces costs, and contributions to the decarbonization of the concrete and cement industry, known for its substantial carbon emissions. In 2023, GScan successfully executed its first commercial projects, generating a revenue of €1.5 million. The company's advanced muon detection capabilities are designed for diverse applications across customs, public safety, industry, medicine, and space exploration, allowing for both small-scale scans and large-scale assemblies.

Altair

Grant in 2024
Altair Engineering, Inc. specializes in enterprise analytics and engineering software technologies, focusing on optimizing the analysis, management, and visualization of business and engineering information. The company's flagship products include HyperWorks, an enterprise simulation solution, and PBS GridWorks, which facilitates grid and on-demand computing. Altair's software suite supports various disciplines, including structures, fluids, and thermal management, enabling comprehensive product lifecycle management from concept design to operational use. Additionally, the company offers consultancy services and business intelligence solutions, catering to industries such as automotive, aerospace, defense, heavy equipment, consumer products, and financial services. Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Troy, Michigan, Altair has a global presence with offices in multiple countries, serving clients through a network of resellers and distributors.

Dragonfly Insulation

Grant in 2024
Dragonfly Insulation is a spin-out from Newcastle University focused on advancing aerogel manufacturing through an innovative and energy-efficient process. The company specializes in producing synthetic nanostructured porous ceramic products that provide exceptional thermal insulation across various industries, including aerospace, defense, marine, oil and gas, and construction. By simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing energy consumption, Dragonfly Insulation aims to deliver a range of aerogel products that enhance fire safety features and improve overall performance in civil applications.

Q5D

Grant in 2024
Q5D is an innovative company specializing in the automation of manufacturing and assembly processes for wiring looms. It develops advanced tools and laser micromachining technology that streamline the intricate connections of electric components. Q5D's solutions cater to various industrial sectors, including automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, and robotics. By enabling the direct addition of wire and printed electronics onto product surfaces, the company enhances manufacturing quality, productivity, and functionality while simultaneously lowering production costs. This technology provides clients with a competitive advantage in achieving efficiency, resilience, and sustainability in their operations.

Nexam Chemical Holding

Grant in 2023
Nexam Chemical Holding is a Sweden-based company specializing in the development and production of advanced solutions that enhance the properties and performance of various polymers. The company manufactures heat-activated cross linkers, which are essential for improving temperature resistance and strength in polymer-based components. These enhancements allow industries to create lighter products, replace more expensive materials, and optimize existing resources. Nexam Chemical serves a diverse range of sectors, including aerospace, electronics, and engineered foams, providing cost-efficient solutions tailored to their needs. Additionally, the company’s technology enables recycled polymers to regain their performance capabilities, contributing to sustainability in the plastics market.

Marble Aerospace

Grant in 2023
Marble Aerospace builds hardware and software to protect maritime environments. They use UAV technology to monitor coastal areas for illegal fishing, human, and trafficking. They provide operations, local integration, technology development planning, and deployment services.

Quinas Technology (ULTRARAM)

Grant in 2023
Quinas is a leading-edge developer of revolutionary next-generation dual-use semiconductor memory technology designed to drive the proliferation of intelligent devices for Future Compute, Novel AI and Military/Aerospace. ULTRARAM is a revolutionary new type of computer memory that was invented and is under development in the Physics Department at Lancaster University. It combines speed, endurance, retention, and energy efficiency into a single memory concept. These astonishing properties are achieved by harnessing a quantum mechanical effect called resonant tunnelling. Benefits to end user: Ultra-efficient - extending battery life and/or reducing battery weight in the field Non-volatile - data retained in the absence of power, instant reboot for fast response when power is restored. High endurance - high reliability with long lifetime High performance - no compromise in speed despite non-volatility Low carbon – reduces large system power consumption. Sectors: -Future Compute -Novel AI -Data Centres -Automotive -Military/Aerospace

Loop Technology

Seed Round in 2023
Loop Technology specializes in industrial automation solutions, focusing on enhancing manufacturing processes for various sectors, including aerospace, automotive, and renewable energy. The company develops advanced robotics and automation technology designed to improve output and ensure consistent product quality. Its offerings encompass a wide array of services such as labeling, machining, bespoke solutions, assembly, laser cleaning, vision systems, and comprehensive support programs. Loop Technology addresses the increasing demand for composite materials by providing high-value manufacturing automation tools that streamline production and optimize performance.

Dycotec Materials

Grant in 2023
Dycotec Materials is a manufacturer specializing in advanced materials, specifically insulator, dielectric, and conductive inks and films. The company serves the aerospace and automotive industries by providing innovative solutions that cater to electronics and clean technology applications. In addition to its manufacturing capabilities, Dycotec offers expertise in electronics design and software development, assisting clients in transforming their concepts from prototypes to final products. This comprehensive approach enables customers to access customized materials tailored for a diverse range of applications.

Skylark Lasers

Grant in 2023
Skylark Lasers is a leading photonics company that focuses on the development and production of continuous wave single frequency diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) lasers. Utilizing its proprietary BRaMMS Technology® platform, Skylark Lasers offers exceptional spectral performance and some of the highest output powers available in the market. The company's lasers serve a diverse array of applications across industrial and scientific sectors, including microchip inspection, quantum sensing, metrology, avionics, wind power generation, defense, financial data servers, and biomedical research. Skylark Lasers' NX lasers are designed for high-output power in a compact footprint, enabling customers to reveal the unseen, detect the invisible, and measure the unknown, thereby addressing both demanding and emerging requirements in various fields.

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.

Dynex Semiconductor

Grant in 2023
Dynex Power Inc., through its subsidiary Dynex Semiconductor Limited, specializes in the design, manufacture, and sale of industrial power equipment globally. The company offers a range of products, including high power bipolar discrete semiconductors, insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) modules, and high power electronic assemblies. These products serve various sectors such as railway propulsion, industrial electric power transmission, renewable energy, heavy industries, factory automation, marine propulsion, aerospace systems, and electric vehicles. Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Kanata, Canada, Dynex operates a facility in Lincoln, England, which houses integrated operations for silicon fabrication, assembly, testing, and product development. The company is primarily owned by Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co., Ltd.

Aegiq

Grant in 2022
Aegiq Ltd. is a company specializing in the development of semiconductor-based quantum photonic chips, which are designed for various communications and computing applications such as broadband quantum communication, imaging, microscopy, and scalable quantum computing. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Sheffield, United Kingdom, Aegiq adopts a full-stack photonic quantum computing approach that provides speed, compactness, and modularity. The company's technology serves a diverse range of industries, including defense, aerospace, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, addressing complex computational challenges. Aegiq's integrated photonic platform aims to facilitate large-scale quantum computing with multi-million qubit operations, offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and systems related to quantum cybersecurity and networking.

Dynex Semiconductor

Grant in 2022
Dynex Power Inc., through its subsidiary Dynex Semiconductor Limited, specializes in the design, manufacture, and sale of industrial power equipment globally. The company offers a range of products, including high power bipolar discrete semiconductors, insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) modules, and high power electronic assemblies. These products serve various sectors such as railway propulsion, industrial electric power transmission, renewable energy, heavy industries, factory automation, marine propulsion, aerospace systems, and electric vehicles. Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Kanata, Canada, Dynex operates a facility in Lincoln, England, which houses integrated operations for silicon fabrication, assembly, testing, and product development. The company is primarily owned by Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co., Ltd.

Alba Orbital

Grant in 2020
Alba Orbital specializes in the design and development of small commercial satellite platforms, particularly pico-satellites weighing less than 1 kg. By focusing on cost-effective solutions, Alba Orbital aims to democratize access to space, significantly reducing the expenses associated with satellite construction and launch compared to traditional CubeSats, which often cost six figures. Their innovative pico-satellites provide rapid Earth observation capabilities, delivering data at minute intervals rather than the hours or days typical of conventional satellites. As leaders in this niche market, Alba Orbital maintains close partnerships with organizations such as the European Space Agency, contributing to research and advancements in satellite technology.

Aegiq

Grant in 2020
Aegiq Ltd. is a company specializing in the development of semiconductor-based quantum photonic chips, which are designed for various communications and computing applications such as broadband quantum communication, imaging, microscopy, and scalable quantum computing. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Sheffield, United Kingdom, Aegiq adopts a full-stack photonic quantum computing approach that provides speed, compactness, and modularity. The company's technology serves a diverse range of industries, including defense, aerospace, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, addressing complex computational challenges. Aegiq's integrated photonic platform aims to facilitate large-scale quantum computing with multi-million qubit operations, offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and systems related to quantum cybersecurity and networking.

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.

Modularity Grid

Grant in 2020
Modularity Grid is a small and nimble cleantech firm that exists to address some of our time's most complex and interconnected concerns at the nexus of energy systems and sustainability. To scale our effect, the company collaborates with partners ranging from Airbus to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

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.

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.

Lontra

Grant in 2015
Lontra Limited, established in 2004 and headquartered in Napton-on-the-Hill, UK, specializes in the development and manufacturing of innovative air and gas compressors. The company's flagship product, the Blade Compressor, is a patented, rotary device that offers up to a third more efficiency than traditional compressors, reducing energy consumption and enhancing reliability. Lontra serves a diverse range of industries, including automotive, wastewater treatment, manufacturing, and power generation, both in the UK and internationally. Backed by prominent industrial partners and supported by numerous grants and awards, Lontra continues to expand its product portfolio and explore new compressor applications.

Cella Energy

Grant in 2013
Cella Energy Limited is an advanced materials company based in Didcot, United Kingdom, with additional operations in Florida. Founded in 2011, it specializes in developing and producing innovative hydrogen storage materials capable of storing up to one liter of hydrogen per gram at room temperature. These materials are designed for various applications, including transportation and portable power industries, as well as military power solutions for unmanned systems. Additionally, Cella Energy manufactures radiation shielding materials to protect space satellites from harmful radiation, thereby extending their operational life. The company offers a range of production facilities and systems, catering to low, medium, and high power applications.

Cella Energy

Grant in 2013
Cella Energy Limited is an advanced materials company based in Didcot, United Kingdom, with additional operations in Florida. Founded in 2011, it specializes in developing and producing innovative hydrogen storage materials capable of storing up to one liter of hydrogen per gram at room temperature. These materials are designed for various applications, including transportation and portable power industries, as well as military power solutions for unmanned systems. Additionally, Cella Energy manufactures radiation shielding materials to protect space satellites from harmful radiation, thereby extending their operational life. The company offers a range of production facilities and systems, catering to low, medium, and high power applications.
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