Derby Innovation Accelerator

A person next to a screen with the word Innovation on it

Innovation Vouchers to support access to University of Derby innovation assets, knowledge and expertise

Capital grants to stimulate private sector investment in capital assets that support research and development

Room of business people sat & stood around table

Launching challenges and drawing together potential collaborators. The challenges will focus on strengthening the identified key sectors for Derby

A piece of paper containing pie charts and bar charts, being analysed by business professionals.

Start Up support

Start up support will focus on creating sustainable, investable businesses within Derby city

A tall brick building with lots of windows

Incubation Space

Opportunities for hot-desking, meeting rooms/studio space, group coaching and mentorship

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund was launched in April 2022 to replace EU funding. The fund aims to boost communities, support local businesses and improve skills.

The Derby Innovation Accelerator will provide:

Innovation Vouchers - to support access to the University of Derby innovation assets, facilities, knowledge and expertise
Capital Grants - to stimulate private sector investment in capital assets that support research and development
Business Challenge workshops - for launching challenges and drawing together potential collaborators. The challenges focus on strengthening the identified key sectors for Derby
Start up support - focussing on creating sustainable, investable businesses and strengthening Derby City's entrepreneurial networks
Incubation space - opportunity for funded residency programmes, hotdesking, incubation space, meeting rooms/studio space and group coaching and mentorship

The Derby Innovation Accelerator will provide innovation support to:

Companies within Derby city only
Established businesses and third sector organisations with high growth* potential
Pre-start and newly founded organisations with high growth* potential

(* high growth defined as evidence of, or ambition to grow, by at least 20% staff and/or turnover)

Target Sectors

Rail and the sub-sectors of planning design and project delivery, rail infrastructure and equipment, rolling stock, asset management, safety and security, operations, ticketing
Nuclear across activities including new build, nuclear infrastructure, waste management and decommissioning
Aerospace across activities including design, manufacture, maintenance, modelling, simulation, materials, acoustics, guidance and control systems
Life sciences and the sub-sectors of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, biomedical technologies, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, food processing and environmental science
Creative industries including:
- Advertising and Marketing
- Animation and VFX/SFX (visual and special effects)
- Architecture
- Crafts
- Design (Product, Graphic, Fashion)
- Film and TV
- Galleries and Libraries
- Heritage
- IT
- Museums
- Music, Performing and Visual Arts
- Publishing
- Radio and Photography
- Software and Computer Services
- Video
- Video Games
Digital across manufacturing and service industries that capture, transmit and display data and information electronically and as an underpinning enabler of growth and innovation across all sectors.