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.
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.
A pathway towards future ICURe funding
Our past ICURe DISCOVER Programme participants have gone on
to secure a minimum of £30,000 of ICURe funding grants and launch their
businesses.
Upcoming ICURe Discover Cohorts
ICURe Discover (Broadcast Media, Digital or AI for the Creative Industries)
October 2023
8 weeks part-time programme helping early-stage research teams to make the first steps into market discovery.
ICURe Discover
November 2023
8 weeks part-time programme helping early-stage research teams to make the first steps into market discovery.
BBSRC ICURe Discover
February 2024
This programme is only open to bioscience research teams.
BBSRC Innovate UK ICURe DISCOVER is an 8-week, part-time online market discovery programme designed to support bioscience 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).
ICURe Discover
February 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).
ICURe Discover
March 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 8 half day online workshops focusing on early-stage market engagement and discovery (total 8 weeks part-time).
ICURe Discover Shape
April 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 8 half day online workshops focusing on early-stage market engagement and discovery (total 8 weeks part-time).