Reimagining Materials and Manufacturing Innovation Exchange
Seeking small, medium and large companies with Materials and Manufacturing technical innovation challenges: up to £25k of funding available for successful solution providers.
Opportunity Details
When
Registration Opens
08/07/2024
Registration Closes
22/07/2024
Award
We will work with you to define and scope the challenge, host it on our iX platform, promote it and invite innovators from our expert network to submit a solution. We are offering up to £25,000 in grant funding to a successful consortium, with funding directed to solution providers.
The Reimagining Materials and Manufacturing Innovation Exchange (iX) provides grant funding to solve challenges related to Reimagining Materials and Manufacturing
Please note, in accordance with the iX process, the funding award (up to £25k) will be made to the company that is able to provide the solution to your published challenge.
Aim
To create collaborative partnerships between challenge owner & solution provider, helping the UK to become a world leader in low-carbon manufacturing by 2050. This is influenced by three strategic imperatives:
- Net zero and resource efficiency
- Resilient and responsive businesses
- Technologically advanced and digital innovations
Opportunity
To submit and host your innovation challenge on the iX platform. Specifically, we are looking for companies with Materials and Manufacturing technical innovation challenges.
This competition covers the following focus areas, as outlined in the Innovate UK Materials and Manufacturing vision 2050:
- Materials for the future economy
- Smart design
- Resilient supply chains
- World-class production
- Longer in use and reuse
The iX team have produced an informational video about the challenge which can be viewed below.
For questions and queries about the process and timeline please contact Dana Heldt, Ellie Collins or Michael Burnett.
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If selected as a Challenge holder, we will work with you to define and scope the challenge, host it on our iX platform, promote it and invite innovators from our expert network to submit a solution. After reviewing submissions, potential solution providers, determined by you as the Challenge holder, will be invited to an online pitch event.
Once you have selected your chosen solution, you would scope a project (maximum 3-month project) with them to test the viability of it. We are offering up to £25,000 in grant funding to a successful consortium. The funding will be directed to solution providers.
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If you have a challenge you would like to solve, please fill in the Challenge holder EOI form. The deadline to submit your form is 22nd July 2024, 10:00am.
The simple form consists of four brief questions against the following aspects:
- Eligibility check
- Scope / focus areas alignment to the Innovate UK materials and manufacturing vision 2050
- Details of the challenge
- Impact of the challenge
All submitted challenges will then be reviewed. If you meet the key criteria and are a good fit with the programme, we will be in touch to discuss further.
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- Once a Challenge Holder form is submitted, you will enter the EOI Assessment process. Only applications received in full by 22nd July 2024 at 10:00am will be considered.
- All applications will be checked against the eligibility criteria terms and conditions listed in the EOI form and only eligible applications will be assessed.
- Assessment will be completed by staff from Innovate UK Business Connect with experience in Materials and Manufacturing and relevant sectors.
- A portfolio-based approach will be taken to assess challenge projects across focus areas, technologies, categories of R&D and market sectors.
Applicants will not be permitted to question or appeal decisions made regarding the challenge selection or funding of individual projects and Innovate UK Business Connect will be unable to give feedback on unsuccessful challenge applications.
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To support the iX process (challenge definition and sign-off, solution provider application review, pitch-day and solution provider selection), applicants need to confirm that they have general availability between the 22nd July to the 22nd October and can meet online on the crucial dates below:
- EOI Application deadline: 22nd July 10:00 am
- Notification of successful Challenge Holder application: 26th July
- Challenge definition workshop: Online 2hr workshop between 29th July – 2nd August
- Challenge review and sign-off (via email): 2nd August – 7th August
- Challenge Competition Launch: 12th August
- Application deadline for solution providers: 12th September
- Solution provider selection by the challenge holder (1st Oct – 6th Oct)
- Pitch Day: 16th or 17th October (all day, online)
- Confirm selected solution provider: 22nd October
- Project length: 3 months and/or anticipated project completion by 30th April 2025
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Innovate UK Business Connect will hold drop-in sessions for potential applicants as follows:
Thursday 11th July 2024 13:00-14:00
Monday 15th July 2024 13:00-14:00
Wednesday 17th July 2024 13:00-14:00