2023 Innovate UK Grant Winners Directory

The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is a leading UK research organisation specialising in oceanographic science, marine technology development, and environmental monitoring. They bridge the gap between fundamental Earth system research and the deployment of autonomous marine robotics, sensor systems, and data infrastructures to address global climate challenges and marine sustainability. Their work has evolved from academic ocean observation to leading large-scale international consortia focused on carbon sequestration, biodiversity monitoring, and the industrialisation of subsea autonomous systems.

STFC Laboratories (Hartree Centre) is a national research facility that provides advanced computational, data science, and AI expertise to industry and academia. They bridge the gap between fundamental research and commercial application by offering access to high-performance computing, quantum simulation, and digital twin technologies. Their work spans diverse sectors including healthcare, energy, manufacturing, and agriculture, focusing on solving complex operational challenges through interdisciplinary technical collaboration.

Johnson Matthey is a global leader in sustainable technologies, specialising in catalysis, precious metal refining, and chemical process engineering. Their R&D efforts focus on decarbonisation, hydrogen energy vectors, and advanced materials for the automotive and chemical industries. Over their grant history, they have evolved from traditional industrial catalysis towards complex, interdisciplinary solutions involving AI-driven reaction robotics, quantum computing for materials simulation, and circular economy battery recycling.

The Met Office is the United Kingdom's national meteorological service, providing critical weather and climate science to support public safety, government policy, and industrial resilience. Their work has evolved from traditional weather forecasting into advanced Earth system modelling, climate attribution, and the development of decision-support tools for sectors such as energy and infrastructure. They frequently lead international consortia to address complex climate challenges through high-resolution modelling and machine learning.

University College London (UCL) is a world-leading research university that actively translates academic expertise into industrial innovation through extensive Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) and collaborative R&D. Their work spans diverse domains including advanced battery materials, AI-driven operational efficiency, medical diagnostics, and maritime decarbonisation. By embedding research capabilities directly into commercial partners, UCL bridges the gap between fundamental scientific discovery and practical, market-ready applications.

ULEMCo specialises in hydrogen dual-fuel and fuel cell technology for heavy commercial vehicles and special-purpose vehicles, including ambulances, fire engines, refuse trucks, and airport ground support. The company has evolved from early feasibility studies on integrated hydrogen energy storage to developing zero-emission vehicle prototypes and production-ready hydrogen powertrains, leading over 84% of its projects. Their work is predominantly collaborative, involving industry partners, emergency services, local authorities, and universities across the UK and internationally.

Birmingham City University is a prominent academic institution that actively engages in industrial innovation through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) and collaborative R&D. Their work focuses on bridging the gap between academic research and commercial application, specifically in digital transformation, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare technology. By partnering with SMEs and industry leaders, they facilitate the adoption of AI, machine learning, and digital design processes to improve operational efficiency and sustainability.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is a leading UK healthcare provider that acts as a major hub for translational medical research and clinical innovation. The Trust collaborates extensively with industry, academia, and technology developers to integrate advanced diagnostics, genomic testing, and digital health solutions into routine NHS clinical pathways. Their work focuses on bridging the gap between laboratory discovery and patient-facing care to improve health outcomes and operational efficiency.

The University of Birmingham is a leading UK research institution that leverages its academic expertise to drive industrial innovation through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) and collaborative R&D. Their work spans diverse sectors including MedTech, advanced manufacturing, environmental sustainability, and digital marketing, focusing on translating fundamental research into commercial applications. By partnering with businesses ranging from SMEs to large corporations, the university facilitates the adoption of advanced technologies such as computational modelling, robotics, and sustainable materials.

The University of Bristol is a leading UK research institution that translates fundamental scientific discovery into industrial application through extensive Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and collaborative R&D. Their work spans advanced composite materials, aerospace engineering, AI-driven modelling, and environmental monitoring. They consistently bridge the gap between academic research and commercial deployment, partnering with major industry players to solve complex engineering and sustainability challenges.

Photocentric is a UK-based manufacturer specialising in visible light-cured 3D printing technologies and photopolymer resins. Their work has evolved from pioneering LCD-based additive manufacturing for industrial components to developing sustainable, circular manufacturing systems for batteries, PPE, and bioprocessing equipment. They integrate advanced material science with digital automation to solve complex manufacturing challenges across the energy, healthcare, and industrial sectors.

St. John's Innovation Centre is a prominent Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) based in Cambridge that specialises in providing business growth, innovation support, and advisory services to UK SMEs. Their work primarily focuses on facilitating knowledge transfer, international trade missions, and strategic scale-up support through long-standing partnerships with Innovate UK and the European Enterprise Network. The organisation has evolved from delivering specific regional and European networking programmes to serving as a primary delivery partner for national innovation growth and advisory services.

The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is a research-intensive academic institution that leverages Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) to drive industrial innovation and digital transformation across the Scottish economy. Their work spans a diverse range of sectors, including advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, and digital health, focusing on embedding academic expertise into commercial operations to enhance productivity and sustainability. UWS consistently acts as a primary R&D partner for SMEs, facilitating the adoption of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automated systems.

ACUA Ocean is a clean-maritime startup developing zero-emission hydrogen-powered uncrewed surface vessels (H-USVs) for offshore monitoring, inspection, and logistics. Their technology combines liquid hydrogen storage with autonomous navigation and SWATH hull design to achieve ultra-long endurance and reduced emissions. The company has progressed from feasibility studies to full-scale demonstrations, including hydrogen powertrain development, swarm operations, and modular launch and recovery systems.

Altilium Metals is a UK-based green technology company that develops hydrometallurgical processes to recover critical metals such as nickel, cobalt, and lithium from end-of-life electric vehicle batteries and mine tailings. Their technology, independently validated by the University of Plymouth, enables the production of high-quality cathode active materials for direct reuse in battery manufacturing, supporting a circular economy for EV battery supply chains. The company has progressed from feasibility studies to pilot demonstrations and is now scaling up towards commercial-scale plants.