Innovate UK support finds fertile ground at farming innovator – PES Technologies  

PES Technologies are transforming how farmers monitor and manage soil health. Its sensor system provides instant, accurate readouts of key biological, chemical and physical indicators in just five minutes – replacing lab-based processes that can take days and cost significantly more. PES Technologies began working with Innovate UK when it received an Investor Partnerships grant. Following this, it gained tailored, bespoke support from Innovate UK Business Growth, which focussed on investment readiness, manufacturing challenges, and internationalisation. 

As a result of this support, the company has secured £1.3m in equity funding, expanded its team, launched its soil sensor to market, and built new international partnerships thanks to a Global Incubator Programme (GIP) to Australia.  

Find out more about PES Technologies’ innovation journey here.

Innovate UK client The Washing Machine Project's innovation recognised  by TIME Magazine

The Washing Machine Project's flagship innovation, the Divya, has been named a TIME magazine 'Best Inventions of 2025' in the Social Impact category – one of only 300 innovations globally recognised for changing lives this year.

The Divya is the world’s first flat-packable manual washing machine, designed specifically for off-grid communities, refugee camps, orphanages, schools, hospitals, and low-income households.

Innovate UK Business Growth supported the Washing Machine Project from 2022 with international market entry and operational scaling. This support helped the company access new international markets including Kenya, Uganda, the Philippines and Iraq, further boosted by a Global Business Innovation Programme (GBIP) to India focussed on digital manufacturing. 

Find out more about the Washing Machine Project's journey with Innovate UK here.

Recognising intellectual property success at the WIPO Global Awards 2025 

Quinas Technology, an Innovate UK Business Growth client, has won a prestigious WIPO Global Award 2025.  

Its ground-breaking QuInAs-ULTRARAM™ technology is reshaping the future of computer memory — combining speed, efficiency and data retention in ways once thought impossible.  

Backed by a robust intellectual property strategy, built with the support of Innovate UK Business Growth, Quinas has turned cutting-edge research into a commercially viable, globally protected product.  

As a result of this support, Quinas has secured patents in five countries, and raised £2m in funding to accelerate development and commercialisation. 

Read the full story here.

Just 2 months left to protect your innovation with a Secure Innovation Security Review  

Applications are now open for innovative, early-stage tech companies to apply for a Secure Innovation Security Review.    

This majority-funded scheme provides access to approved Security Reviewers, who assess business' protective security practices and provide expert guidance, in areas such as intellectual property protection, cyber security, and governance. 

If you are entering into R&D or commercial partnerships, or simply working in a particularly competitive and sensitive technology area, then consider minimising your exposure to security risk and maximising your opportunities to thrive with a security review.

Apply before 31st January 2026. 

Want to find out how businesses like yours are already benefitting from the scheme? Find out more about how North Product Design has secured a new major customer as a result of completing a security review. 

Click here to find out more and apply.

Connect with industry peers and stakeholders at Innovate UK’s one-to-one meetings at Futurebuild 

3 – 5 March, 2026, Excel London  

Registered event attendees can now sign up for Innovate UK’s one-to-one networking meetings, and start connecting, collaborating, and growing with peers in the built and manufacturing sector. 

This high impact networking opportunity will allow attendees to connect and share insights with key stakeholders and decision makers. 

Meetings will take place in person, at the ExCel, London on 3 March 2026, and online on 4-5 March 2026.  

Join the matchmaking platform now, and start booking meetings with industry colleagues and stakeholders.

Turning innovation into action: How standards help SMEs compete and grow

Standards make life easier for SMEs by providing a clear, structured, and practical way to turn innovation from aspiration into results. Reflecting this impact, 64% of SMEs use management standards to improve their competitiveness.

The ISO 56000 series builds on this by helping smaller businesses embed innovation through principles that strengthen partnerships, track progress, develop team capabilities, and support sustainable growth.

Innovative businesses receiving Innovate UK Business Growth one-to-one support from an innovation and growth specialist (IGS) can access training and insights into how to get the most out of the ISO 56000 series. It’s part of a toolkit including free access to standards, related content, and guidance provided by our partner BSI, the UK’s national standards body.