With Innovate UK support, Newcastle-based digital innovator, Uptivity, is scaling its international footprint with a next-generation e-commerce platform tailored for underserved markets. Designed to be more adaptable and sector-specific than mainstream alternatives, the platform enables independent retailers to build and manage online stores with greater ease and control.
With strategic business growth support from Innovate UK, the company has secured over $60,000 in international contracts, built nine commercial partnerships and is expanding its UK team to meet rising demand.
Uptivity’s flagship product, JustSell, offers a flexible alternative to platforms like Shopify, with features designed to meet the needs of retailers in sectors such as alternative health, fashion and beauty. The platform helps businesses stand out in competitive markets by combining ease of use with advanced functionality.
Muhammad Ali, Founder and Director of Uptivity, explains: “Many SMEs we work with feel locked out of digital commerce because the big-name platforms don’t cater to their needs. JustSell offers them a cost-effective, adaptable solution that actually works for their sector.”
Strategic support opens global opportunities
Uptivity’s first engagement with Innovate UK Business Growth occurred in 2021, when it sought to find international collaborators over Enterprise Europe Network’s Partner Opportunities Database. Innovate UK Business Growth is Enterprise Europe Network’s partner in the UK, which includes taking expressions of interest in R&D or business collaborations to prospective partners across Europe on behalf of innovative UK businesses.
In 2024, Innovation and Growth Specialist, Peter Dale, developed a tailored action plan with the company, focused on international growth, including participation in Global Explorers, an Innovate UK programme that supports market discovery visits. With £13,500 in funded support, Uptivity visited Saudi Arabia and the US, securing three contracts and forming new partnerships with nine commercial partners. The insights gained also helped Uptivity refine its pricing strategy and build a go-to-market plan for new regions.
Muhammad adds: “Innovate UK Business Growth delivered a Global Explorers programme that genuinely helped us secure business worth around $60,000. We’ve expanded into new markets with paying customers, have partnerships in the making and are exploring future investment opportunities.
“We knew there was international potential in our platform, but we didn’t want to jump into new markets blind. The tailored business growth support we received gave us the insights, confidence and local knowledge we needed to test, adapt and succeed.
“We’ve built a platform that levels the playing field—and, thanks to Innovate UK Business Growth’s support, we’re now taking it global.”
With international momentum building, Uptivity is now recruiting two new team members in Newcastle to support growth.
Stronger IP protections and smarter design
Uptivity has drawn on a range of initiatives delivered by Innovate UK Business Growth to accelerate its growth journey, as part of its one-to-one advisory support. Through IP Audit – an Intellectual Property Office (IPO) scheme that Innovate UK Business Growth can provide to its clients —it received support as part of its broader IP strategy.
The company also participated in Innovate UK Business Growth’s Design for Growth initiative, which provided expert one-to-one coaching to refine its branding, product development and market preparation, while BSI Standards Online access has helped Uptivity improve software quality and customer service.
Driving digital growth from the North East
Uptivity is enabling niche businesses to grow online while supporting job creation and innovation in the UK. With Innovate UK Business Growth’s targeted support, it has unlocked commercial opportunities overseas, strengthened its strategic foundations and built confidence to scale.
Muhammad concludes: “I’m really grateful for Innovate UK funding and particularly the support of our innovation and growth specialist. We’ve gained market insights, made meaningful connections and landed commercial wins that simply wouldn’t have happened without this backing.”
We’ve gained market insights, made meaningful connections and landed commercial wins that simply wouldn’t have happened without this backing.
– Muhammad Ali, Founder and Director of Uptivity