Background
The pilot – South West Wales Launchpad Net Zero iX Challenges, aims to foster collaborative partnerships between a challenge holder & solution provider to deliver a project that that will accelerate the adoption of industrial circular economy, net zero or decarbonisation innovations within and across sectors for the Net Zero Industry launchpad in Southwest Wales. The IX competition is welcoming private and public sector organisations either based in or impacting on Southwest Wales (the competition region) to become challenge holders. Solution providers will offer their solutions, with the support of IUKBC, the most appropriate company will be selected to receive support to deliver their project. Challenge holders will be matched with innovative solution providers to collaboratively address their challenges. Funding will be provided by Innovate UK, through the Launchpad, to fund the projects that will address the challenges identified.
Please note, in accordance with the iX process, the funding award (project costs of up to £25k grant) will be made to the selected organisation that is able to provide the solution to your published challenge.
The challenge fund aims to foster collaborative partnerships between challenge holder & solution provider to deliver a project that impacts or benefits the Southwest Wales region to accelerate the adoption of industrial circular economy, net zero or decarbonisation innovations within and across sectors for the Net Zero Industry launchpad in Southwest Wales.
The challenge
Specifically, we are looking for private and public sector organisations either based in or impacting on Southwest Wales (Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot) with challenges related to industrial circular economy, net zero or decarbonisation.
The key challenge themes below will be prioritised:
- Keeping recycled curb side resources in Wales
- Circular economy and recycling in the Celtic Sea FLOW supply chain
- Retention and recycling of industrial waste products in SW Wales
- Retention of resources related to industrial by products and scrap
- Net zero energy solutions related to the circular economy and recycling
Individual challenges would be hosted on the iX portal and allow Innovate UK, Net Zero Industry Wales and Innovate UK Business Connect to help you find potential solutions. Once you have found your chosen solution, you would scope a project with solution provider to test the viability of it. We are offering up to £25,000 in grant funding to a successful challenge partnership. The funding will be directed to solution providers.
There are a limited number of challenges available; should demand be high, we reserve the right to limit the number of challenges to one challenge per company.
If you feel you have linked challenges please contact ix@iukbc.org.uk to discuss the opportunities you have in mind. Applications will then be assessed, and successful applicants will enter a process to further define their challenge.
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To support the iX process (challenge definition and sign-off, solution provider application review, pitch-day and solution provider selection), applicants need to confirm that they have general availability between the 23 March and 10 April, and can meet online on the crucial dates below:
- EOI Application deadline: 13th March 2026
- Notification of successful Challenge application: end of March 2026
- Challenge definition workshop: online or in person end March 2026
- Challenge review and sign-off (via email): March/April 2026
- Challenge Competition Launch: early April 2026
- Application deadline for solution providers: May 2026
- Solution provider selection by the challenge holder: May
- Pitch Day: April (all day, online or in-person)
- Confirm selected solution provider: April
- Project Length: 3 months
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- Organisation is a UK registered small, medium or large enterprise.
- Once a Challenge Holder form is submitted, you will enter the iX process.
- Only applications received in full by 13 March 2026 will be considered.
- All applications will be checked against the eligibility criteria terms and conditions listed above and only eligible applications will be assessed.
- Assessment of the awards will be completed by a group of staff from Innovate UK Business Connect with experience in Net Zero and relevant sectors.
- A portfolio-based approach will be taken to determine challenge projects to fund across a range of scope areas/themes, technologies, categories of R&D and market sectors.
- Applicants are unable to question or appeal decisions made regarding the challenge selection or funding of individual projects and Innovate UK Business Connect will be unable to give feedback on unsuccessful challenge applications.
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We recommend that you complete the application form in Google Chrome as other browsers may have compatibility issues.
If you have would like to discuss a potential challenge prior to submission please reach out to ix@iukbc.org.uk and a member of the IX team will be in touch.
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By submitting an application to this Innovation Exchange (iX) challenge, you acknowledge and agree that the information you provide will be shared with Innovate UK Business Connect and the challenge holder for the purposes of assessment and selection. All information submitted will be handled in confidence and shared only with those involved in the assessment and selection process under appropriate confidentiality expectations.
Please consider the level of detail you share in your submission to ensure it aligns with your own internal confidentiality or disclosure policies.
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