Innovation Exchange

Innovate UK Innovation Exchange (iX) fast-tracks knowledge transfer nationwide by matching industry challenges with trailblazing companies across different sectors. Our network accelerates innovation through connection and collaboration.

Knowledge exchange is the key to transformative innovation

Through our extensive and diverse network, our sector experts act as a matchmaker, facilitating the transfer of innovative solutions. We bridge the gap between the challenges faced by industry and the trailblazing companies and innovators already innovating towards solutions.

Our secret? A distinctive cross-sector capability that taps into the power of collaboration, offering unique technical solutions sourced from a variety of industries beyond your usual sector supply chains.

Discover the gateway to resolving real technical challenges

  • Exclusive access to a vast network of solution providers;
  • The power to execute projects swiftly and seamlessly;
  • A personalised, transparent filtering service that consistently delivers real and impactful results.

Explore the potential benefits of cross-sector collaborations

Our past projects to delve into the challenges faced by the holders and get a better understanding of our tailored process, connecting them with solution providers, and the great impact generated.

View case studies

Impact figures

Challenges delivered

180

Challenges delivered

Business collaborations

928

Business collaborations

Applicants supported

2,045

Applicants supported

Contracts generated

65

Contracts generated

You are a challenge holder

You are a challenge holder

You’ll access solutions for your challenges from beyond your current reach, tapping into a new provider network, and enabling faster, more efficient project deliveries through a customised and transparent selection process.

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You are a potential solution provider

You’ll gain access to new markets and specialised expertise, enabling faster market entry or new collaborations elevating the visibility of your innovation, nurturing a strong brand reputation, and driving increased revenue streams.

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You are a potential solution provider

Funding opportunities

Open Innovation challenge: Recycling Plastic to Resin for Paint Production
The Open Innovation programme is supporting Berger Paints Nigeria Plc to find innovative solutions for recycling waste plastic into resin for paint production.
40 days left to apply
Innovation Exchange Challenge: Soundproofing for secure speech solutions
Can you help us develop a solution we can use to retrofit in offices or other locations used for government work to enable soundproofing for secure conversations? HMGCC Co-Creation wants to hear from organisations and individuals who are experts in materials capable of providing a high level of acou
18 days left to apply
Challenge: Reducing Emissions by Optimising Aircraft Turnaround Times at Regional African Airports
SITA are looking to optimise aircraft turnaround times at regional African airports as a way to reduce emissions.
19 days left to apply
Innovation Exchange Challenge: Acquiring actionable ecological data in offshore wind farms
The iX programme is supporting Ocean Winds (a 50-50 joint venture of ENGIE and EDP Renewables) to find innovators that can provide a solution to the offshore wind industry’s ecology monitoring challenge for offshore wind farms.
33 days left to apply
Innovation Exchange Challenge: Nature inclusive solutions for floating offshore wind farms
The iX programme is supporting Ocean Winds (a 50-50 joint venture of ENGIE and EDP Renewables) to find innovators that can provide a solution to offshore wind industry’s nature inclusive designs challenge for floating offshore wind farms.
33 days left to apply
Innovation Exchange Challenge: Autonomous Geophysical 3D Characterisation for Offshore Wind Subsea Surveys
The iX programme is supporting Ocean Winds (a 50-50 joint venture of ENGIE and EDP Renewables) to find innovators who can provide a solution to the offshore wind industry’s subsea 3D sub-bottom profile measurement challenge.
33 days left to apply

Discover our latest challenges on the Innovation Exchange platform

Innovation Exchange (iX) is an exclusive Innovate UK programme designed to connect businesses with cutting-edge solutions to their challenges, delivered at an accelerated pace.

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Who we've worked with


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