What is Innovate UK ICURe?

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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    Why Attend?

    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

    Upcoming Cohorts

    BBSRC ICURe Explore October 2024 – in partnership with Kidney Research UK and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

    BBSRC ICURe Explore October 2024 – in partnership with Kidney Research UK and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

    Applications Open: 04/06/2024
    Applications Close: 10/09/2024
    Start Date: 16/10/2024
    Location: In Person & Online
    Delivery Partner: NxNW Partnership & The Helix Way

    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.

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    BBSRC ICURe Discover <br>October 2024

    BBSRC ICURe Discover
    October 2024

    Applications Open: 07/06/2024
    Applications Close: 19/09/2024
    Start Date: 30/10/2024
    Location: Online
    Delivery Partner: NxNW Partnership & The Helix Way

    BBSRC 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).

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    ICURe Discover <br> October 2024

    ICURe Discover
    October 2024

    Applications Open: 22/07/2024
    Applications Close: 12/09/2024
    Start Date: 09/10/2024
    Location: Online
    Delivery Partner: SETsquared Partnership

    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 8 half day online workshops focusing on early-stage market engagement and discovery (total 8 weeks part-time).

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    BBSRC ICURe Engage <br>September 2024 <br> Scotland Focused

    BBSRC ICURe Engage
    September 2024
    Scotland Focused

    Applications Open: 05/08/2024
    Applications Close: 16/09/2024
    Start Date: 30/09/2024
    Location: Online
    Delivery Partner: The Helix Way

    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.

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    ICURe Engage <br>October 2024

    ICURe Engage
    October 2024

    Applications Open: 02/09/2024
    Applications Close: 27/09/2024
    Start Date: 10/10/2024
    Location: Online
    Delivery Partner: SETsquared Partnership

    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.

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    ICURe Explore <br> November 2024

    ICURe Explore
    November 2024

    Applications Open: 09/09/2024
    Applications Close: 07/10/2024
    Start Date: 04/11/2024
    Location: In Person & Online
    Delivery Partner: Midlands Innovation

    (Dates tentative and subject to change)

    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. 

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    525

    Teams completed

    1114

    Applications

    200

    Spinout companies

    2100

    Participants 

    250

    Million Investment

    36000

    Business contacts made

    650

    Jobs created

    2750

    Market Experiments

    TOGETHER WE CAN

    Take your idea to the next level.