2022 Innovate UK Grant Winners Directory

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is the United Kingdom's National Metrology Institute, responsible for developing and maintaining the nation's primary measurement standards. They provide essential scientific and technical expertise to industry and academia, focusing on advanced analytical characterisation, materials testing, and the validation of emerging technologies. Their work spans diverse sectors including aerospace, healthcare, energy, and quantum technologies, facilitating the translation of research into commercial applications.

Cardiff University is a leading UK research-intensive institution that leverages its extensive academic expertise to drive industrial innovation across diverse sectors including MedTech, clean energy, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing. Through its robust grant history, the university has evolved from fundamental research into highly collaborative, industry-led R&D projects that address complex challenges like net-zero infrastructure, digital health, and industrial security. Its work frequently involves deep-tech partnerships with SMEs and large enterprises to translate academic breakthroughs into practical, commercialised solutions.

WAE Technologies is a specialist engineering firm that provides advanced electrification, battery systems, and lightweight structures for the automotive, aerospace, and industrial sectors. Originally spun out of motorsport, the company has evolved into a key player in the UK's low-carbon supply chain, focusing on high-performance battery pack design, thermal management, and digital manufacturing platforms. Their work bridges the gap between fundamental research and commercial application, often acting as a technical partner in large-scale automotive electrification projects.

Queen's University Belfast SIPF acts as a research and technology organisation (RTO) facilitating large-scale regional innovation through the Strength in Places Fund. Their work focuses on leveraging Northern Ireland's regional expertise in smart and nano-manufacturing to drive economic growth and industrial capability. They coordinate multi-stakeholder consortia to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial application across key sectors like healthcare and data storage.

The Scale-Up Institute is a research and technology organisation focused on providing strategic business advisory services and peer-to-peer networking support for high-growth companies. Their work centres on facilitating the Innovate UK EDGE programme, which provides tailored guidance to help UK businesses scale effectively. They have consistently acted as a lead delivery partner for national business growth initiatives.

Magnetic Systems Technology (Magtec) is a specialist designer and manufacturer of electric vehicle drive systems, including motors, power electronics, and battery packs for commercial and heavy-duty applications. The company has evolved from retrofitting diesel commercial vehicles to developing bespoke, high-performance electric propulsion systems and industrialising their production for volume OEM demand. Their work now spans the automotive, logistics, and maritime sectors, with a growing focus on circular economy practices for rare earth magnets.

Cummins Ltd is a major global manufacturer specialising in advanced power solutions, including internal combustion engines, hydrogen-fuelled powertrains, and electrified systems for heavy-duty automotive and maritime applications. Their work has evolved from traditional engine remanufacturing and circular economy business models to the development of zero-emission propulsion technologies, including hydrogen internal combustion engines and digital materials science tools for component reliability. They leverage extensive collaborative R&D partnerships with UK universities and industry leaders to accelerate the decarbonisation of heavy-duty transport sectors.

Blue Bear Systems Research is a UK SME specialising in unmanned air systems (UAS) and zero-emission aviation technologies. Their work spans from detect and avoid systems for BVLoS drone operations to hydrogen-electric propulsion for regional aircraft and maritime hovercraft. Over a decade, they have evolved from UAV component research to leading large-scale demonstrations of commercially viable, zero-carbon air transport networks.

SeeQC UK develops superconducting quantum computers and quantum-as-a-service platforms, with expertise spanning cryogenic cooling, cryo-CMOS control electronics, active magnetic shielding, and machine learning for qubit control. Their work targets applications in drug discovery, defence simulation, and scalable quantum error correction, evolving from early feasibility studies to collaborative commercial-scale projects, including a live testbed for quantum error correction.

The University of Sussex is a leading UK research institution that bridges the gap between fundamental academic inquiry and industrial application, particularly in quantum technologies, mental health digital platforms, and environmental sustainability. Their work has evolved from foundational physics research into high-impact collaborative projects, frequently partnering with industry to commercialise innovations in atomic clocks, quantum computing, and AI-driven healthcare. They actively support regional industrial decarbonisation and circular economy initiatives through cross-disciplinary research and knowledge transfer partnerships.

Potenza Technology is a specialist automotive engineering firm focused on the development of advanced electric powertrain systems, battery management technology, and vehicle integration solutions. Over their grant history, they have evolved from a collaborative partner in early-stage electric vehicle research to a lead developer of sophisticated, situationally-aware battery management systems for commercial and light-duty vehicles. Their work consistently addresses the critical challenges of battery safety, thermal management, and energy efficiency in the transition to zero-emission transport.

Wayland Additive is a micro/small enterprise based in Yorkshire that develops the NeuBeam® electron beam additive manufacturing (AM) technology. Their work addresses critical challenges in producing large, stress-free, and high-performance metal parts for aerospace, medical implant, and energy sectors. Over their grant history, they have evolved from foundational powder reuse and process stability research through to commercial-scale systems, data-rich process monitoring with AI/ML, and sustainable applications such as copper windings for electric vehicle motors.

Adaptix develops a novel flat-panel X-ray source using an array of solid-state emitters, enabling low-cost, low-dose portable 3D imaging (digital tomosynthesis). Their technology targets medical diagnostics (orthopaedics, chest, dental, breast, veterinary) and non-destructive testing for aerospace and electronics. The company has progressed from feasibility studies to FDA-cleared products and is expanding into larger industrial inspection.

Plasgran is a large-scale plastics recycling specialist focused on developing advanced mechanical recycling processes for post-consumer polypropylene. Their work addresses the critical gap in the circular economy by enabling the conversion of food-grade plastic waste into high-value, food-safe packaging materials. By establishing closed-loop recycling routes, they aim to reduce reliance on virgin polymers in the food and drink sector.

The University of Huddersfield, through its Advanced Machinery & Productivity Initiative (AMPI), acts as a central research and innovation hub for the UK's advanced manufacturing sector. By bridging the gap between academic research and industrial application, the university facilitates the development of intelligent machinery, robotics, and cooperative systems to enhance national productivity and supply chain resilience. Their work focuses on providing technical resources, R&D facilities, and a skills pipeline to support equipment manufacturers in adopting next-generation production technologies.