Innovation Exchange
Innovate UK Innovation Exchange (iX) fast-tracks knowledge transfer nationwide by matching industry challenges with trailblazing companies across different sectors. Our network accelerates innovation through connection and collaboration.
Knowledge exchange is the key to transformative innovation
Through our extensive and diverse network, our sector experts act as a matchmaker, facilitating the transfer of innovative solutions. We bridge the gap between the challenges faced by industry and the trailblazing companies and innovators already innovating towards solutions.
Our secret? A distinctive cross-sector capability that taps into the power of collaboration, offering unique technical solutions sourced from a variety of industries beyond your usual sector supply chains.
Discover the gateway to resolving real technical challenges
- Exclusive access to a vast network of solution providers;
- The power to execute projects swiftly and seamlessly;
- A personalised, transparent filtering service that consistently delivers real and impactful results.
Innovation Exchange - video overview
Explore the potential benefits of cross-sector collaborations
Our past projects to delve into the challenges faced by the holders and get a better understanding of our tailored process, connecting them with solution providers, and the great impact generated.
View case studies
Impact figures
250+
Challenges delivered
1000+
Business collaborations
3000+
Applicants supported
150+
Contracts generated
“Posting our challenges through Innovate UK Innovation Exchange has allowed us to have a cross-sectoral approach and added an element of reach that has proved invaluable. The responses have allowed us to explore applying solutions from other sectors like medical X-Ray technology to some really tricky problems.”
— Andy Cooney, Technical Manager at Sellafield
You're a challenge holder
You’ll access solutions for your challenges from beyond your current reach, tapping into a new provider network, and enabling faster, more efficient project deliveries through a customised and transparent selection process.
Learn more about being a challenge holder in our video summary.
Contact us
You're a potential solution provider
You’ll gain access to new markets and specialised expertise, enabling faster market entry or new collaborations elevating the visibility of your innovation, nurturing a strong brand reputation, and driving increased revenue streams.
Learn more about being a solution provider in our video summary.
Register your interest
You're looking for commercial routes
What happens after you win an iX challenge? Read our guide which outlines the three main commercial pathways for SMEs following an Innovation Exchange (iX). It provides practical advice on negotiating IP rights, funding options, and partnership structures to bridge the gap from prototype to commercial contract effectively.
Read the guide
Funding opportunities
iX Challenge: Accelerating Digital Engineering Through MBSE Simulation
iX Challenge: Repeatable Adversarial Evaluation of Physical Tamper Protection for Defence Electronics
iX Challenge: Next-Generation Electronics for UK Bathymetric Sonar
iX Challenge: Distributed Smartphone-Based Detection and Mapping of PNT Signal Interference
iX Challenge: Reducing blood-cell loss and measurement variability in field-deployable microfluidic diagnostic cartridges
iX Challenge: Secure, Cost-Effective Use of Cloud-Based AI Tools in the Defence Supply Chain
Discover our latest challenges on the Innovation Exchange platform
Innovation Exchange (iX) is an exclusive Innovate UK programme designed to connect businesses with cutting-edge solutions to their challenges, delivered at an accelerated pace.
Explore challenges
Who we've worked with
