A new report from Innovate UK that evaluates and showcases the success of SBRI has been published by UKRI and Innovate UK.
The 20-year initiative allows research and development services to be acquired from private sector providers who develop, in competition, solutions for the public sector and has been a success for a variety of government departments, agencies and devolved administrations across the UK, including in Northern Ireland.
Despite its name, SBRI is not just for small businesses. Organisations of any size are eligible to apply including:
- start-ups
- small and mid-size enterprises (SME)
- large organisations
- not-for-profits
- charities
More than 100 public sector organisations have already used the scheme, including the Ministry of Defence, Department for Health and Social Care and NHS, and in Northern Ireland the scheme has been utilised by NI Water, DfI, the Housing Executive and Forensic Science NI to name but a few.
Innovate UK’s Chief Executive, Indro Mukerjee, said:
The Innovate UK SBRI programme is a proven way of linking innovative private sector businesses with the public sector to address their challenges and develop long lasting solutions.
We are pleased with its recognised impact to date and now looking to further enhance and develop the programme for the future.
Exciting and innovative projects
SBRI is responsible for some of the most exciting and innovative projects that have made the public sector more efficient and effective.
These innovative projects include:
- enhancing the delivery of careers advice and guidance to young people with ASD
- optimising water and waste water treatment processes through the use of artificial intelligence
- using intelligent systems for affordable decarbonisation of homes.
It offers innovators the chance to win a government contract to help demonstrate and develop their new technologies in partnership with an intelligent lead customer, in turn growing and scaling businesses.