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

Challenges delivered

250+

Challenges delivered

Business collaborations

1000+

Business collaborations

Applicants supported

3000+

Applicants supported

Contracts generated

150+

Contracts generated

You are a challenge holder

You are 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 are 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 are a potential solution provider

Funding opportunities

iX Challenge - Preserve Celtic Sea FLOW biodiversity via prediction of marine conditions
For the Love of the Sea are seeking an innovative solution which can provide a multi layered monitoring system for their sea farm. By analysing data from wind, tide and currents; the system will help to identify conditions that lead to damage and support timely action to reduce losses. This capabili
31 days left to apply
iX Challenge - Circular solutions for textile waste reduction in Southwest Wales
Choose2Reuse are looking for innovative solutions to re-valorise their non reusable textile waste streams, ensuring that these materials remain in Wales and are transformed into new products, feedstocks or industrial inputs. Solving this challenge will help to provide a circular solution not only fo
31 days left to apply
iX Challenge: CCTV / AI Waste Monitoring for High Accuracy Recycling
Sinclair Group (Wales) invites innovators, SMEs, and solution providers to propose digital and AI driven technologies for recycling accuracy, contamination reduction, and operational efficiency.
31 days left to apply
iX Challenge: Digital Material Flow Mapping and Packaging Reduction
Sinclair Group (Wales) seek innovators who can map and analyse material flows, enabling packaging reduction, reusable alternatives, and enhanced circular economy performance.
31 days left to apply
iX Challenge - Enabling regional carbon dioxide utilisation in Southwest Wales through geospatial intelligence
The challenge holder is seeking an innovative solution to develop a geospatial planning tool that will optimise how carbon dioxide is mapped, routed, and reused across Southwest Wales.
31 days left to apply
iX Challenge - Dry ice alternatives that maintain LUSH spa's sensory and theatrical magic
LUSH Spa invites solutions which can address the challenge of maintaining the moments of magic created using dry ice within 3 spa treatments. The proposed solution should be either: a direct replacement of dry ice, e.g. making dry ice or a dry ice replacement easily and safely onsite, or a new innov
41 days left to apply

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.

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Who we've worked with


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