ICURe Discover Sprint

About ICURe Discover Sprint

ICURe Discover Sprint is a 3-week intensive version of the Innovate UK ICURe Discover programme, created specifically for researchers with demanding teaching responsibilities or researchers looking to fast-track onto Autumn term ICURe Explore programmes. It offers a focused opportunity to explore the commercial potential of early-stage research before the academic year ramps up.

Through an in-person bootcamp, tailored support and funding for market exploration, Discover Sprint gives you the essential tools, frameworks and confidence to take your first steps into innovation and commercialisation.

The Sprint format runs immediately after the summer break, ideal timing for academics facing heavy teaching workloads. While open to all UK researchers, it may be particularly valuable for academics in Post-1992 universities looking to build commercialisation experience within limited availability. It may also be valuable for researchers at the end of funding looking to fast-track onto Explore programmes in October/November.

ICURe Discover Sprint requires the same ICURe Discover time-commitment of 75 hours but is delivered over a shorter timeframe of 3 weeks, it offers focused training, expert guidance and up to £2,500 in support for market discovery activities. It is a pre-requisite to attend ICURe Discover if you wish to apply for ICURe Explore or Exploit. Completion of ICURe Discover Sprint fulfils this requirement

What’s included

• Up to £2,500 support for testing assumptions and market discovery activities
• Part-time, intensive market discovery over 3 weeks (75 hours)
• Training on how to gather market feedback that indicates the next steps for your research and potential for commercialisation
• Access to our team of experts; we will proactively connect you to our network of entrepreneurs, investors and funders
• Training in commercial viability using tools such as the Value Proposition Canvas (VPC)
• Develop an understanding of existing market offerings and competitive landscape for your sector
• Give a reflective presentation to our panel of experts and gain further traction for your commercialisation plans

Why attend?

Past participants say that having our training, support and dedicated time to spend on customer discovery has dramatically changed their perspective on their innovation.

A pathway towards future ICURe funding

ICURe Discover Programme participants will have the opportunity to apply for the ICURe Explore programme and secure up to £35,000 of grant funding to carry out more extensive market exploration and customer discovery.

Who should apply?

• Researchers based at UK universities or eligible research organisations
• Teams with a clearly defined idea, innovation or early-stage project
• Those with limited time during the academic year – especially researchers in teaching-intensive roles
• Those looking to fast-track onto ICURe Explore

Programme format

• In-person Bootcamp
  2-day practical workshop to kick-start your customer and market discovery.
• Support and mentoring
  Guidance from experienced ICURe trainers and access to up to £2,500 for discovery activities.
• Options Roundabout
  Online panel session to help you identify your most viable next steps.

Time commitment

• 2 full days
  In-person bootcamp, 15–16th September 2025, University of Warwick.
• Approximately 40 hours
  Market discovery and customer conversations over the following two and a half weeks
• 1.5 days
  Online presentation training and practice.
• Half day
  virtual Options Roundabout, 3rd October 2025.

Key dates

• Applications open: 10/06/2025
• Applications close: 18/08/2025
• Assessment open date: 18/08/2025
• Assessment close date: 01/09/2025
• Programme start date: 15/09/2025
• Delivery partner: Midlands Innovation

For full eligibility and application details please read the key dates, expectations and guidance document.