Deadline: 15-Jun-2026
Innovate UK Business Connect is inviting organizations to submit technical challenges in sustainable chemical supply chains and engineering biology. The goal is to connect challenge owners with external innovators through the Innovation Exchange (iX) process.
Selected participants receive in-kind support to define challenges, access new technologies, and collaborate with solution providers to accelerate innovation, reduce duplication, and enable new intellectual property development.
Overview of the Innovate UK Business Connect Call
The Innovate UK Business Connect initiative is seeking applications from organizations that want to share technical challenges in:
- Sustainable and resilient chemical supply chains
- Engineering biology and bio-based innovation
The purpose is to connect real-world industrial challenges with external innovators, researchers, and technology providers.
Core Objective
The program aims to:
- Identify unsolved technical and industrial challenges
- Source innovative solutions beyond existing supply chains
- Enable cross-sector collaboration
- Accelerate technology adoption and commercialization
- Create pathways for new intellectual property (IP) development
Key Focus Areas
Sustainable Chemical Supply Chains
This area focuses on:
- Resource-efficient chemical production
- Circular supply chain models
- Low-carbon chemical manufacturing
- Supply chain resilience and diversification
- Sustainable sourcing of raw materials
Engineering Biology
Engineering biology includes:
- Bio-based manufacturing processes
- Synthetic biology applications
- Industrial biotechnology solutions
- Bio-manufactured materials and chemicals
- Scalable biological production systems
Innovation Exchange (iX) Process
The Innovation Exchange (iX) is a structured matchmaking system designed to connect challenges with external solutions.
Step 1: Challenge Definition
Selected organizations receive support to:
- Define the technical challenge clearly
- Refine scope and objectives
- Identify innovation needs
Step 2: Challenge Hosting
The challenge is published on the Innovation Exchange platform for visibility among innovators.
Step 3: Network Promotion
Innovate UK Business Connect promotes the challenge across:
- Research communities
- Industry networks
- Technology providers
- Innovation ecosystems
Step 4: Solution Submission
External innovators submit potential solutions to the challenge.
These may include:
- Existing technologies
- Cross-sector innovations
- Early-stage research outputs
- Scalable industrial solutions
Step 5: Evaluation and Selection
Challenge owners review submissions and:
- Shortlist promising solutions
- Assess feasibility and impact
- Select partners for collaboration
Step 6: Pitch Events
Selected solution providers participate in:
- Online or in-person pitch sessions
- Technical discussions
- Partnership exploration meetings
Support Provided to Challenge Holders
Participants receive in-kind support from Innovate UK Business Connect, including:
- Assistance in defining technical challenges
- Guidance on innovation scoping
- Access to curated innovation networks
- Support in engagement with solution providers
- Facilitation of collaboration pathways
Key Benefits of Participation
Access to External Innovation
- Discover solutions outside traditional supply chains
- Access cross-sector technologies
- Identify global innovation opportunities
Reduced Development Duplication
- Avoid reinventing existing solutions
- Leverage proven technologies from other industries
Collaboration Opportunities
- Build long-term partnerships
- Engage with research institutions and industry innovators
- Develop joint innovation projects
Intellectual Property Development
- Enable creation of new IP
- Support co-development of technologies
- Foster commercialization pathways
Strategic Value
- Improve competitiveness
- Accelerate R&D timelines
- Enhance sustainability performance
Eligibility
The call is open to organizations with:
- Technical or industrial challenges in relevant sectors
- Interest in open innovation approaches
- Capacity to engage in collaborative solution development
Typical participants include:
- Industrial companies
- Chemical manufacturers
- Biotechnology firms
- Research institutions
- Innovation-driven organizations
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Defining overly broad or unclear challenges
- Lack of internal technical ownership of the problem
- Weak engagement readiness with external partners
- Underestimating time required for solution evaluation
- Failing to align challenge with sustainability or innovation goals
Why This Initiative Matters
The Innovate UK Business Connect Innovation Exchange supports:
- Transition to sustainable chemical systems
- Advancement of engineering biology applications
- Cross-sector innovation transfer
- Faster commercialization of clean technologies
- Stronger UK and global innovation ecosystems
It plays a key role in bridging industry challenges with external innovation capabilities.
FAQ
What is the Innovation Exchange (iX)?
It is a structured platform that connects industrial challenges with external innovators to find new technological solutions.
Who can submit challenges?
Organizations working on technical problems in sustainable chemicals or engineering biology.
What support is provided?
In-kind support to define, scope, publish, and manage innovation challenges.
What types of solutions are expected?
Existing technologies, research innovations, or cross-sector solutions that address defined challenges.
Is funding provided?
No direct funding is mentioned; support is provided in-kind through facilitation and matchmaking.
What happens after submission?
Challenges are published, promoted, and matched with solution providers through a structured selection and pitch process.
What is the main goal?
To accelerate innovation by connecting industry challenges with external expertise and technologies.
Conclusion
The Innovate UK Business Connect Innovation Exchange (iX) call is a structured open-innovation initiative that helps organizations solve complex challenges in sustainable chemicals and engineering biology. By connecting industry needs with external innovators, it enables faster problem-solving, cross-sector collaboration, and the development of scalable sustainable technologies.
For more information, visit Innovate UK Business Connect.