What is Innovate UK ICURe?
Innovate UK ICURe is a pre-accelerator programme for researchers. This programme is designed to help explore the commercial application and potential of UK research.
Within the ICURe programme, we have developed a range of funding and commercialisation training with industry experts, and this is delivered via our 4 key programmes; ICURe Engage, ICURe Discover, ICURe Explore and ICURe Exploit.
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ICURe has engaged with over 500 teams nationwide. We have delivery partners, business advisors, and support networks in place which will provide an excellent basis for new businesses. As part of the ICURe journey, you will leverage this combined experience and capability to discover the potential of your ideas, and put them into practice in the real world.
For Researchers
If you are a researcher with an idea, this programme is designed to help you through the process of defining your proposition and testing it with your prospective target markets
For Industry
ICURe is an ideal access point to some of the UK’s leading innovation. Supporting a range of innovation themes, we provides SMEs and corporations with an opportunity to evaluate the commercial potential for cutting-edge research
For Investors
ICURe provides investors with an insight into the latest innovation, while it is still at an early stage of development. ICURe can keep you informed on developments in your portfolio area
Cohorts Open For Applications
ICURe Discover
November 2024
Innovate UK ICURe DISCOVER is an 8-week, part-time online market discovery programme designed to support researchers and technicians in exploring their potential market. The programme aims to enhance market awareness and deepen the understanding of potential technology applications.
This cohort will be delivered via a 2-day virtual bootcamp followed by 8 weeks of early-stage market engagement and discovery (total 8 weeks part-time).
BBSRC ICURe Explore January 2025 – in partnership with the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs)
This programme is only open to Bioscience research teams.
12 weeks full-time programme with up to £35,000 funding available to help bioscience research teams get out of the lab and explore the commercial potential of their research/technology.
BBSRC ICURe Engage
November 2024
South / South East of England & London Focused
ICURe ENGAGE is a 4-week, part-time programme tailored for research students and technicians. This programme aims to identify potential beneficiaries of research, introduce participants to tools for commercialisation, and foster consideration of entrepreneurship as a pathway for achieving societal impact and a viable career choice.
The ICURe Engage programme is open to all research students (including those pursuing research master’s degrees, 1st or 2nd year PhD students, and Post-Docs) as well as technicians from all disciplines who are interested in entrepreneurship. This opportunity is available regardless of whether they already have an idea, as the programme introduces them to ICURe and provides the space and opportunity to think about entrepreneurship differently.
ICURe Discover
for Women Entrepreneurs
November 2024
Innovate UK ICURe Discover for Women Entrepreneurs is an 8-week, part-time online market discovery programme designed to support researchers and technicians in exploring their potential market. The programme aims to enhance market awareness and deepen the understanding of potential technology applications.
This cohort will be delivered via 8 half day online workshops focusing on early-stage market engagement and discovery (total 8 weeks part-time).
ICURe Engage
November 2024
ICURe ENGAGE is a 4-week, part-time programme tailored for research students and technicians. This programme aims to identify potential beneficiaries of research, introduce participants to tools for commercialisation, and foster consideration of entrepreneurship as a pathway for achieving societal impact and a viable career choice.
The ICURe Engage programme is open to all research students (including those pursuing research master’s degrees, 1st or 2nd year PhD students, and Post-Docs) as well as technicians from all disciplines who are interested in entrepreneurship. This opportunity is available regardless of whether they already have an idea, as the programme introduces them to ICURe and provides the space and opportunity to think about entrepreneurship differently.
ICURe Explore
Jan 2025
12 weeks full-time programme with up to £35,000 funding available to help research teams get out of the lab and explore the commercial potential of their research/technology.
Upcoming Cohorts
ICURe Discover
February 2025
BBSRC ICURe Explore March 2025
ICURe Engage
February 2025
BBSRC ICURe Engage
February 2025
Northern Region Focused
Upcoming Events
Teams completed
Applications
Spinout companies
Participants
Million Investment
Business contacts made
Jobs created
% Entrepreneurial Leads are Female