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

Challenges promoted and delivered

154

Challenges promoted and delivered

Companies worked with

821

Companies worked with

Applicants supported

1,808

Applicants supported

Trials managed

144

Trials managed

Contracts created

56

Contracts created

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

Take the first step

Check live challenges, see if your company has the right solution and submit your application.

Get started
Speak to our experts

Speak to our experts

If you would like to discuss your challenge, contact one of our experts.

Contact us
Sign up for alerts

Sign up for alerts

Sign up to challenge alerts and stay up to date with the latest Innovation Exchange opportunities.

Subscribe

Funding opportunities

Innovation Exchange challenge: sustainable approaches to heating and thermal storage and utilisation within hospitals
The Innovation Exchange programme is helping Hull University Teaching Hospitals (HUTH) to move away from gas to more sustainable heating.
36 days left to apply
Innovation Exchange challenge: approaches to electrical self-sufficiency within hospitals
The Innovation Exchange programme is working alongside Hull University Teaching Hospitals (HUTH) to make the hospital sites resilient for their energy needs and self-generate as much energy as possible.
29 days left to apply
Innovation Exchange challenge: solutions to optimise energy and resource efficiency within hospitals
The Innovation Exchange programme is working alongside Hull University Teaching hospitals in looking at technologies to fulfil their ambitions of going net zero carbon by 2030.
29 days left to apply
Innovation Exchange Challenge: Installation of Insert Fixtures on Spacecraft
Airbus is seeking innovative partners to revolutionise the installation of insert fixings on satellites.
22 days left to apply
Innovation Exchange challenge: Identifying the material of hidden domestic gas pipework and its condition
Cadent Gas is looking for solutions to non-intrusively identify and assess hidden gas pipework in homes and commercial buildings across the UK.
8 days left to apply
Innovation Exchange challenge: Locating and recording the route of hidden domestic gas pipework
Cadent Gas is looking for solutions to non-intrusively identify and assess hidden gas pipework in homes and commercial buildings across the UK.
8 days left to apply

Who we've worked with


Our Experts

Related News

Innovate UK KTN to support FIS360 on the new Sellafield Game Changers programme

16/05/2023

Innovate UK KTN to support FIS360 on the new Sellafield Game Changers programme

After a rigorous bidding process, FIS360 has been awarded a five-year contract to continue delivering the Sellafield Game Changers programme, in a major development for UK nuclear innovation.

Read more
Global Alliance Africa at Innovate UK KTN partners with Rand Water to find Circular Economy solution to water treatment residue challenge

27/09/2022

Global Alliance Africa at Innovate UK KTN partners with Rand Water to find Circular Economy solution to water treatment residue challenge

In August 2022, Innovate UK KTN met with Rand Water to identify challenge areas for the launch of a joint Global Alliance Innovation Exchange (iX) challenge.

Read more
More News

Related Case Studies

Innovation Exchange Challenge sparks NUVIA UK and Lucideon’s solution to tackle hazardous nuclear waste

Innovation Exchange Challenge sparks NUVIA UK and Lucideon’s solution to tackle hazardous nuclear waste

The cross-sector Innovation Exchange approach was key in facilitating a collaboration between Lucideon and NUVIA UK to solve the issue of hazardous waste encapsulation. Read about this success story.

Get the latest updates

Sign up to receive email alerts for new Innovate UK KTN Innovation Exchange challenges.

Close

Connect with Innovate UK KTN

Join Innovate UK KTN's mailing list to receive updates on funding opportunities, events and to access IUK KTN’s deep expertise. Please check your email to confirm your subscription and select your area(s) of interest.