UK research team with a commercially promising idea; Entrepreneurial Lead must be employed by the university/research organization and commit full time for 12–16 weeks. Cohort-specific funder rules may add prerequisites.

What burden and restrictions apply?

Fast-paced full-time 12–16-week commitment with extensive assumption testing and customer interviews; salary and exploration costs are administered through the host. Entrepreneurial Lead salary up to GBP 20,000 plus approved assumption-testing and market-exploration costs.

ICURe Programme (Innovate UK)

Up to GBP 35,000, including up to GBP 20,000 for the full-time Entrepreneurial Lead's salary · Innovate UK (UKRI), delivered via Innovate UK Business Connect — United Kingdom · deadline 2026-09-04

Innovate UK's customer-discovery and commercialisation programme for university/research teams. Through structured stages (Discover, Explore, Exploit) researchers validate the market for their innovation via extensive customer interviews, with funding and support to build spinout/commercial readiness. Current lifecycle: open; next verified deadline 2026-09-04. Real economics: Up to GBP 35,000, including up to GBP 20,000 for the full-time Entrepreneurial Lead's salary.

Tier 3ukinnovate-ukuniversity-spinoutcustomer-discovery

Apply Official site Open in the live directory

Key facts

Funder	Innovate UK (UKRI), delivered via Innovate UK Business Connect — United Kingdom
Amount	Up to GBP 35,000, including up to GBP 20,000 for the full-time Entrepreneurial Lead's salary
Deadline	2026-09-04
Decision time	Cohort selection before the published start date; no exact decision day count is published.
Eligibility	UK research team with a commercially promising idea; Entrepreneurial Lead must be employed by the university/research organization and commit full time for 12–16 weeks. Cohort-specific funder rules may add prerequisites.
Restrictions	Fast-paced full-time 12–16-week commitment with extensive assumption testing and customer interviews; salary and exploration costs are administered through the host. Entrepreneurial Lead salary up to GBP 20,000 plus approved assumption-testing and market-exploration costs.
Status	open

Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.

Application process

Choose the appropriate Explore cohort
Form the four-person research commercialization team
Submit the cohort application
Selection and bootcamp
Conduct intensive customer discovery
Present commercialization recommendation

Background

Innovate UK (UKRI), delivered via Innovate UK Business Connect — United Kingdom operates ICURe Programme (Innovate UK). This pass separates direct cash, repayable finance, credits, incentives and umbrella programs so later ranking does not compare unlike instruments. The official program positions Explore as a path to investment-ready spinouts or licensing decisions.

How the application really works

Choose the appropriate Explore cohort → Form the four-person research commercialization team → Submit the cohort application → Selection and bootcamp → Conduct intensive customer discovery → Present commercialization recommendation

Tips

Show direct fit with agrifood.
Show direct fit with biotechnology.
Show direct fit with digital.
Show direct fit with energy.
Show direct fit with health.
Show direct fit with quantum.
Show direct fit with robotics and AI.
Show direct fit with space.
Show direct fit with sustainability.

Watch out for

Current lifecycle is open.
Fast-paced full-time 12–16-week commitment with extensive assumption testing and customer interviews; salary and exploration costs are administered through the host.
Entrepreneurial Lead salary up to GBP 20,000 plus approved assumption-testing and market-exploration costs.

Track record

The official program positions Explore as a path to investment-ready spinouts or licensing decisions.

No application or cohort acceptance count is published.

Frequently asked questions

Is this actionable now?: open. Next verified deadline: 2026-09-04.
What is the real economic value?: Up to GBP 35,000, including up to GBP 20,000 for the full-time Entrepreneurial Lead's salary
Who is eligible?: UK research team with a commercially promising idea; Entrepreneurial Lead must be employed by the university/research organization and commit full time for 12–16 weeks. Cohort-specific funder rules may add prerequisites.
How does selection work?: Choose the appropriate Explore cohort; Form the four-person research commercialization team; Submit the cohort application; Selection and bootcamp; Conduct intensive customer discovery; Present commercialization recommendation. Cohort selection before the published start date; no exact decision day count is published.
What burden and restrictions apply?: Fast-paced full-time 12–16-week commitment with extensive assumption testing and customer interviews; salary and exploration costs are administered through the host. Entrepreneurial Lead salary up to GBP 20,000 plus approved assumption-testing and market-exploration costs.
What evidence exists?: The official program positions Explore as a path to investment-ready spinouts or licensing decisions. No application or cohort acceptance count is published.

Sources

iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/icure-explore — Official current deadline, cohort, amount, duration, sectors and contact (checked 2026-08-10)
iuk-business-connect.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/EXAPR26-Key-Dates-Expectations-and-Guidance.pdf — Official team and institutional eligibility model (checked 2026-08-10)