Manufacturing

Innovate UK Business Connect’s Manufacturing team helps manufacturers to innovate, and innovators to manufacture. We work with a broad spectrum of organisations, sectors and technology areas, advising on innovation and connecting to partners, experts, facilities and funding.

Digital manufacturing brings together new technologies such as AI, IIOT, additive manufacturing, robotics and automation, blockchain and immersive technologies. We are working with smart factories to drive improved productivity, efficiency, resilience and competitiveness. Together with Robotics & AI, Immerse UK and others we can make the right connections to cutting edge technology and knowledge, through Manufacturing Made Smarter on an impartial basis.

Product Innovation requires careful navigation of the design to manufacture journey. Successfully delivering a physical product to market (i.e one that requires manufacturing) presents challenges over and above those that non-manufactured products face. As well as technical knowledge and diversity of skills, expertise and strong relationships are key to driving change. We can share learning across our network and through our D2MGuide, and make the connections you’ll need to deliver on your innovation.

Sustainable, resilient manufacturing. The world is changing. Manufacturers are improving the products they make and the way they make them. This reduces our environmental footprint, increases resource efficiency and creates competitive advantage. Energy efficiency, circular economy, remanufacturing and industrial symbiosis are all areas we specialise in as a team.

We help manufacturers and innovators to improve their processes across all these areas by making impartial connections, across the UK and globally, with the right partners, suppliers and funding channels including Innovate UK and other funding sources.

Our current focus in this area

Advancement in additive manufacturing technologies has seen the evolution of 3D printed parts move rapidly, providing the opportunity for new innovation within the manufacturing world. As companies can now design for additive manufacturing to complement traditional manufacturing processes, there has been a huge shift in its use, particularly within aerospace, medical, transport, energy and consumer products.

Digital manufacturing promises improved productivity, sustainability, resilience and the creation of high value jobs. The industrial digital technology (IDT) innovator seeking to make an impact in the physical world stands to benefit from the transformation of UK manufacturing.

Turning an idea into a scalable, commercial product is a challenge that faces many entrepreneurs, innovators and SMEs. Developing a new product, new functionality or new customer experience can be difficult and success may not always happen. 97% of hardware startups fail (compared with 70% of tech start-ups).

The world is changing at an ever greater pace, and manufacturers are responding – improving the products they make and the way they make them. This enables reduced environmental footprint and improved resource efficiency, but also creates benefits such as competitive advantage and a closer alignment with the customer’s needs.

Related Opportunities

Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) Phase 3: Spring 2024

Opens: 29/01/2024 Closes: 19/04/2024

Grant funding for feasibility and engineering studies, and for the deployment of industrial energy efficiency and deep decarbonisation projects.

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Global Business Innovation Programme in South Korea - Advanced Manufacturing

Opens: 21/02/2024 Closes: 28/03/2024

Innovate UK is inviting ambitious companies to participate in a tailored programme that includes virtual workshops, networking, and a market visit.

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UK-South Korea CR&D 2024

Opens: 26/02/2024 Closes: 22/05/2024

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £6m for the purpose of developing innovative proposals with South Korea.

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Made Smarter: Rapid Demonstrator Projects March 2024

Opens: 11/03/2024 Closes: 12/04/2024

This funding aims to support SMEs with sensor installation, data analysis or similar to advance their smart manufacturing journeys.

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Made Smarter accelerator: sustainability through innovation

Opens: 21/02/2024 Closes: 01/04/2024

Enabling UK manufacturers to fast forward their adoption of digital solutions: solve challenges from BAE, HS2 and Creagh Concrete and win up to £175,000.

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Made Smarter Manufacturing: Lighthouse Funding February 2024

Opens: 19/02/2024 Closes: 15/03/2024

Lighthouse Projects will enable SMEs to embark on a smart manufacturing journey, de-risking major investment yet enabling growth.

More Information

Related Events and Recordings

Tue
19
Mar
2024

Materials for Future Economy Workshop Series

10.00 - 12.00 | Online

Register for this event
Wed
22
Nov
2023

Industrial Energy Transformation Fund Phase 2 - Technology Showcase

10.00 - 15.00 | Manchester

Read more
See all events

Our Experts

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Smart Factory Expo 2023: putting manufacturing at the heart of the future

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Related programmes

Transforming Medicines Manufacturing

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Innovate UK’s Medicines Manufacturing programmes aim to drive the de-risking and adoption of highly innovative flexible, agile and scalable manufacturing technologies through a culture of collaboration that will drive the growth of this critically important manufacturing sector.

Made Smarter | Innovation Network

Made Smarter | Innovation Network

From 2021 to 2025, Innovate UK Business Connect will be working on behalf of UKRI to join communities together to transform UK manufacturing. Join the Made Smarter Innovation Network and help us drive positive change.

For general enquiries regarding our Manufacturing sector contact us now

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