Innovation Exchange
Innovate UK KTN’s Innovation Exchange is a cross-sector programme supporting innovation transfer by matching industry challenges to innovative companies from other sectors. It does this by putting large businesses with technical needs in contact with companies who have the right innovative solutions, for faster development of novel solutions.
The power of cross-sector collaboration
Innovation Exchange is an Innovate UK KTN programme specially designed to help organisations search for cutting-edge solutions to challenges and bring them to market faster.
Leveraging expertise across our diverse network, Innovate UK KTN promotes innovation transfer, matching real industry challenges from large businesses, to companies and innovators already working on the solutions. Our unique cross-sector approach taps into the power of collaboration providing technical solutions from other sectors.
Impact
154
Challenges promoted and delivered
821
Companies worked with
1,808
Applicants supported
144
Trials managed
56
Contracts created
“Posting our challenges through Innovate UK KTN Innovation Exchange has allowed us to have a cross-sectoral approach and added an element of reach that has proved invaluable. The responses have allowed us to explore applying solutions from other sectors like medical X-Ray technology to some really tricky problems.”
— Andy Cooney, Technical Manager at Sellafield
How does the programme work?
The Innovation Exchange Programme brings together challenge holders and solution providers, finds and selects the right matches and supports every step of the Challenge development process.
Experts are available from introduction to deployment, offering advice and mentoring to both sides to make sure the best and most useful outcome is achieved.
We find solutions to real-life technical problems, offering:
- Access to an untapped network of solution providers
- The ability to deliver projects faster and more efficiently
- An independent, transparent, bespoke filtering service that delivers real results
What are the benefits?
Benefits for challenge holders
- Solutions to technical challenges they can’t solve
- Access an untapped network of solution providers
- Ability to deliver projects faster and more efficiently
- Bespoke, transparent selection process
Benefits for solution providers
- Access new markets and expertise
- Improve the time to market
- Build brand reputation
- Increase revenue
How to apply
Take the first step
Check live challenges, see if your company has the right solution and submit your application.
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Speak to our experts
If you would like to discuss your challenge, contact one of our experts.
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Funding opportunities
Innovation Exchange challenge: sustainable approaches to heating and thermal storage and utilisation within hospitals
Innovation Exchange challenge: approaches to electrical self-sufficiency within hospitals
Innovation Exchange challenge: solutions to optimise energy and resource efficiency within hospitals
Innovation Exchange Challenge: Installation of Insert Fixtures on Spacecraft
Innovation Exchange challenge: Identifying the material of hidden domestic gas pipework and its condition
Innovation Exchange challenge: Locating and recording the route of hidden domestic gas pipework
Who we've worked with
Our Experts
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