ICURe Discover

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.

Our 8-week, part-time online market discovery program 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. Past participants have reported that having 8 weeks of support and time for customer discovery significantly transformed their perspective on their innovation.

What’s Included?

£2,500 support for testing assumptions and market discovery activities.
2-day training boot camp with part-time market discovery spanning 8 weeks or part-time learning and market discovery spread over 8 weeks.
Gather market feedback that indicates the next steps, such as entering ICURe Explore with a team

Access to our team of experts and we will proactively connect you to our network of entrepreneurs, investors and funders.
Outline the commercial viability using tools such as the Business Model Canvas (BMC).
Develop an understanding of existing market offerings and competitive landscape for your sector.

Why Attend?

Past participants say that having 8 weeks of support and dedicated time to spend on customer discovery has dramatically changed their perspective on their innovation.

Who is eligible?

The ICURe DISCOVER Programme has received funding from Innovate UK to widen participation of university teams from across all UK Universities into the 3-month ICURe programme.

This programme offers a pathway towards further funding, with 30% of our teams securing a minimum of £35,000 Innovate UK ICURe funds.

The programme is open to all UK universities and approved public sector research enterprises, however, we are actively seeking applications from:

Universities who have not participated in the 3-month ICURe programme.
Universities who do not receive HEIF funding.
Teams led by early career researchers and/or principal investigators who are from under-represented groups including women, people of colour, those living with disabilities and those from the LGBTQI+ communities.
Teams from regional Universities.
Approved public sector research enterprises (PSREs).

We accept innovations from any discipline or background, but are particularly interested in projects in Health, Climate Change and Digital innovation.

To be eligible: Research Students and technicians (all disciplines).

How do I apply?

The online application form will ask you a series of questions about you, your team and your project. It will be a competitive process. You will need to have engaged with your University Technology Transfer Office (TTO) and your Principal Investigator prior to applying.