Derby Innovation Accelerator

Quotes from our Supported Businesses

"The experience has been straightforward and very positive. The team has been incredibly helpful, providing valuable technical support and introducing us to the university's facilities, which hopefully will allow for opportunities for future collaboration."

"The activity has led to a successful Innovate UK project."

"The project has helped us gain clarity, increased our confidence and supported meaningful plans for growth."

"The academic team were approachable, knowledgeable and genuinely interested in helping us achieve the project's objectives."

"The project provided a strong proof-of-concept for our approach and has created a foundation for further testing, optimisation, and commercial development."

"The project has generated intellectual property, designs, and technical knowledge that can support future commercial opportunities."

"The whole team have been so helpful, supportive, professional and friendly. An absolute credit to the university".

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund was launched in April 2022 to replace EU funding. The fund aimed to boost communities, support local businesses and improve skills.

The Derby Innovation Accelerator has provided:

• Innovation Vouchers - supporting access to the University of Derby innovation assets, facilities, knowledge and expertise
• Capital Grants - stimulating private sector investment in capital assets that support research and development
• Business Challenge workshops - launching challenges and drawing together potential collaborators. The challenges focussed on strengthening the identified key sectors for Derby
• Start up support - focussed on creating sustainable, investable businesses and strengthening Derby City's entrepreneurial networks
• Incubation space - opportunities for funded residency programmes, hotdesking, incubation space, meeting rooms/studio space and group coaching and mentorship

The Derby Innovation Accelerator has provided innovation support to:

• Companies within Derby city only
• Established businesses and third sector organisations with high growth* potential
• Pre-start and newly founded organisations with high growth* potential

(* high growth defined as evidence of, or ambition to grow, by at least 20% staff and/or turnover)

Funding for all elements of the programme is now FULLY ALLOCATED. Please only register your interest if you would like to be placed on a waiting list for any future opportunities.

Target Sectors

• Rail and the sub-sectors of planning design and project delivery, rail infrastructure and equipment, rolling stock, asset management, safety and security, operations, ticketing
• Nuclear across activities including new build, nuclear infrastructure, waste management and decommissioning
• Aerospace across activities including design, manufacture, maintenance, modelling, simulation, materials, acoustics, guidance and control systems
• Life sciences and the sub-sectors of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, biomedical technologies, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, food processing and environmental science
• Creative industries including:
  • Advertising and Marketing
  • Animation and VFX/SFX (visual and special effects)
  • Architecture
  • Crafts
  • Design (Product, Graphic, Fashion)
  • Film and TV
  • Galleries and Libraries
  • Heritage
  • IT
  • Museums
  • Music, Performing and Visual Arts
  • Publishing
  • Radio and Photography
  • Software and Computer Services
  • Video
  • Video Games
• Digital across manufacturing and service industries that capture, transmit and display data and information electronically and as an underpinning enabler of growth and innovation across all sectors.

Derby Innovation Accelerator