About us

Innovate UK is the UK's innovation agency

We work with people, companies and partner organisations to find and drive the science and technology innovations that will grow the UK economy.

Who we are

We’re an organisation of around 300 staff, drawn mainly from business. We work across the UK, with a head office in Swindon.

Our responsibilities

With a strong business focus, we drive growth by working with companies to de-risk, enable and support innovation. To do this, we work to:

  • determine which science and technology developments will drive future economic growth
  • meet UK innovators with great ideas in the fields we’re focused on
  • fund the strongest opportunities
  • connect innovators with the right partners they need to succeed
  • help our innovators launch, build and grow successful businesses

Our work so far

Since 2007 we have committed over £1.8 billion to innovation, matched by a similar amount in partner and business funding. We have helped more than 7,600 organisations with projects estimated to add more than £11.5 billion to the UK economy and create 55,000 extra new jobs.

Our strategy

At the start of this new Spending Review period, the Government has announced its intention to publish a National Innovation Plan. As the UK’s innovation agency, our new strategy for 2016 to 2020 is a key part of the National Innovation Plan and will be published alongside it.

Our delivery plan

Our delivery plan sets out the funding competitions we plan to run each year to give businesses advanced notice.

In the Innovate UK delivery plan 2016 to 2017 (PDF, 727KB, 32 pages) we explained how we will find, support and develop innovative businesses to speed up economic growth. It also outlined some changes in the way we work:

  • a sector grouping approach to our programmes
  • simplified funding competitions including an open programme for applications from any technology, sector or size of business
  • an enhanced role for our innovation networks

The calling of the general election on 8 June 2017 has delayed the publication of our delivery plan 2017 to 2018. We will publish this here as soon we are able to do so.

Read about how we are helping innovative businesses in the Innovate UK delivery plan 2016 to 2017 (PDF, 727KB, 32 pages) .

Contact our customer support services on 0300 321 4357 or email support@innovateuk.gov.uk if you have any questions on the delivery plan.

Diversity and inclusion

In May 2016 we started our work on diversity and inclusion with the launch of our infocus awards for women in innovation and a statement of intent Innovate UK diversity and inclusion statement of intent May 2016 (PDF, 121KB, 2 pages) .

As we move into UK Research and Innovation in 2018, we will develop a strategic vision for diversity, inclusion and equality with our partners in the Research Councils and Research England. We will then follow this with a longer term strategy for Innovate UK.

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