Opportunities SURfACE ICURe Discover

SURfACE ICURe Discover

Innovate UK SURfACE ICURe Discover is an invite-only programme providing support for researchers and technicians from post-1992 universities to explore the commercial potential of their ideas.
Registration Details
03/11/2025 15/12/2025 23:59
Opportunity Type
Business growth, Funding, Training and resources
Award
Up to £2,500 support for researchers and technicians from post-1992 universities to explore the commercial potential of their ideas.
Organisation
Innovate UK
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About SURfACE ICURe Discover

Innovate UK SURfACE ICURe Discover offers the standard ICURe Discover programme but it is exclusive to underrepresented universities. The programme provides up to £2,500 support for researchers and technicians from post-1992 universities to explore the commercial potential of their ideas.

This part-time, online programme provides structured support to help you investigate real-world markets, engage with potential users, and begin shaping your research for impact beyond academia.This programme aims to enhance market awareness and deepen the understanding of potential technology applications.

Our part-time online market discovery programme is developed using the lean startup methodology, which applies the scientific method (hypothesise, test, evaluate) to business ideas. Participants will learn how to use this approach to gauge their potential customers’ opinions about their idea, product, or service. This programme is suitable for participants looking to explore the potential of their early-stage projects or those who require a part-time commitment for market exploration.

This opportunity is designed for teams from institutions with limited previous exposure to commercialisation by providing a dedicated pathway to enter the ICURe ecosystem.

Please note it is a pre-requisite to attend ICURe Discover if you wish to apply for ICURe Explore or Exploit.

What’s included

  • Up to £2,500 support for testing assumptions and market discovery activities.
  • Part-time market discovery over 8 weeks.
  • 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 Business Model Canvas (BMC).
  • 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?

SURfACE ICURe Discover is designed for teams from institutions with limited previous exposure to commercialisation by providing a dedicated pathway to enter the ICURe ecosystem.

Key dates and eligibility

  • Applications open: 03/11/2025
  • Applications close: 15/12/25 @ 23:59
  • Application workshops (online): 10 & 11/11/25 @ 12:30pm
  • Bootcamp (online): 26 & 27/01/26

Please note that this is an invite-only programme and applicants must provide the name of the ICURe Head of Hub who they received the invitation from on their application.

Related content

Opportunity

Get in touch

Contact the ICURe team for any enquiries.

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Programme

This opportunity is part of ICURe.

The Innovate UK ICURe Programme gives researchers the chance to turn ground-breaking research into investment-ready spin-out companies and license agreements. We provide funding and personalised support to test the commercial potential of an idea – while enabling researchers take their first steps into the world of business.

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