NanoScope unlocks new innovations in semiconductor tech with Innovate UK support
NanoScope Services, a high-tech innovator based in Bristol, is transforming the semiconductor industry through its advanced microscopy and nano-engineering services. Working with Innovate UK, NanoScope has navigated complex R&D challenges, leading to significant advancements in microelectronics and semiconductor technologies.
Founded in 2008, NanoScope Services specialises in advanced microscopy and focused ion beam (FIB) technology. It provides a range of services including nano-surgery for chip designs, failure analysis and high-resolution thermal imaging. Its expertise supports the semiconductor, nanotechnology and material science sectors across the UK and Europe.
NanoScope’s journey with Innovate UK began in 2022, when an Innovation and Growth Specialist from its Business Growth service, Andy Philips, worked with the company to develop a growth plan focused on marketing, internationalisation, intellectual property and strategic development.
Innovate UK Business Growth’s approach is to engage deeply with innovative companies, understanding their specific needs before helping them to develop a robust strategy. For NanoScope, this meant creating a plan that addressed immediate challenges while setting a course for long-term growth.
“Andy’s been a great support,” says Lloyd Peto, Commercial Director at NanoScope Services. “I’ve vaguely described my needs and he’s been able to distil that and use his knowledge to connect me with the right specialists at the right times.
“When you work for a large company, you can just wander up the corridor and have a chat with an expert in any area you’re struggling with. But we’re a team of three, and we can’t be brilliant at everything, so having that specialist support from Innovate UK Business Growth has been excellent,” Peto adds.
Unlocking funding opportunities to drive innovation
To advance its projects, NanoScope received guidance from Innovation and Growth Specialist, Adele Reynolds, on various grant funding and research support options. Among these was a £15,000 grant from Innovate UK Business Growth, which enabled NanoScope to access resources from the Catapult Network and other Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs). This funding was instrumental in refining a concept product developed with Bristol University.
“The grant enabled us to partner with the National Composites Centre, which designed an installation tool for us and we can now install the product in about five minutes,” Peto explains. “We’re just now at the point where we can enter the market with that product – it’s quite exciting.”
In addition, NanoScope benefited from the West of England Growth Fund, which provided the financial resources needed to purchase a new microscope, crucial for expanding its product range. This strategic investment has positioned NanoScope to offer an even wider array of cutting-edge solutions to its clients.
Enhancing market reach through strategic marketing and internationalisation
To effectively reach its niche audience, NanoScope worked with Innovation and Growth Specialists Maggie Robinson and Angus Ogilvy-Stuart. They helped refine NanoScope’s LinkedIn and website strategies, ensuring the company could connect with technical groups and streamline its online sales channel.
Specialist, Linda Middleton-Jones, also guided NanoScope’s efforts to expand its global reach. “Any high-tech market is a potential market for us, but we’d always struggled to make traction in Israel. We had some very useful conversations with Linda who encouraged us to drill down into the cultural differences we need to consider,” Peto shares.
Strategic review paves the way for future growth
Recognising the need to expand beyond its current markets, NanoScope collaborated with Innovation and Growth Specialist, Stephen Robertshaw, for a strategic review. As a result, NanoScope has increased its turnover by around 10%. This increase is not just a sign of the company’s expanding capabilities but also of its growing impact on the UK economy. By pioneering new semiconductor technologies, NanoScope is accelerating UK productivity and helping to enhance the UK’s reputation in advanced microelectronics.
“We’ve previously specialised in serving three markets and now we want to specialise in nine so that requires a significant shift in corporate identity. Stephen helped us to rethink how we present ourselves, our value proposition and how we could develop the right messages for the right markets,” Peto states. “We’re now looking to create the sales collateral for those markets and it’s looking very positive.”
Innovate UK Business Growth’s strategic support has empowered NanoScope to focus on growth opportunities. “Overall, the support from Innovate UK Business Growth enabled us to clear some important obstacles that we just didn’t have the bandwidth to deal with. Most of the blockers turned out to be fairly trivial – it’s just been a case of understanding what’s slowing us down and taking the right steps,” Peto concludes.
With Innovate UK Business Growth’s ongoing support, NanoScope is poised to continue pioneering new solutions in the semiconductor market. By leveraging world-class resources and expertise, NanoScope is helping to power the next generation of consumer electronics, PCs, cars and more. This partnership not only accelerates NanoScope’s growth but also positions it as a leader in the high-tech industry.
Overall, the support from Innovate UK Business Growth enabled us to clear some important obstacles that we just didn’t have the bandwidth to deal with…it’s just been a case of understanding what’s slowing us down and taking the right steps.
– Lloyd Peto, Commercial Director at NanoScope Services