InnoConnect Funding

Unlock your business potential with InnoConnect

InnoConnect

Secure funding to access the University of Edinburgh’s specialist expertise to advance your business. 

InnoConnect offers funding opportunities for organisations, of any size, to gain access to specialist facilities and expertise to support the growth and innovation of your business. 

Why Choose InnoConnect? 

Tailored Support: We align our resources to your unique needs, facilitating activities from development of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to prototyping, validation, and feasibility testing. 

Drive Innovation: Empower your business to refine product strategies, strengthen investment propositions, or catalyse growth. 

Funding: Eligible organisations may receive up to £5,000 to access: 

  • Cutting-edge research facilities, complemented by skilled technical support. 
  • Expertise in AI and data science. 

Diverse Industry Applications: Key industry sectors include, but are not limited to, space, robotics and autonomous systems, AI, engineering, and energy. 

Apply Now 

To qualify for the InnoConnect funding your company must demonstrate a desire to use robust data to facilitate industry growth and we welcome proposals that have larger future potential. 

  • To find out more please complete this short form by 28 Feb 2025 and we will be in touch to discuss your proposed project.  

Previous case studies: 

Whiskey distiller  - optimising whisky barrel storage using load testing  

The Structures Test Hall was tasked with determining how high whisky barrels could be stacked before leakage occurred. To achieve this, specific algorithms were implemented in the testing machines to simulate various load conditions. The data gathered from these tests was then analysed to inform the client about the maximum stacking height that could be maintained without risking the loss of whisky. 

 Fire Lab - enhancing fuel efficiency through bomb calorimeter testing 

The Fire Lab at the School of Engineering undertakes various forms of testing for numerous clients. One test in particular, bomb calorimeter testing is a procedure that measures the heat of combustion, or of a material that is burned as a fuel. The process involves placing a sample in a pressurised oxygen chamber, called the "bomb", and then placing the bomb in a container of water. When the sample is ignited, the heat from the combustion is absorbed by the water, which is then measured. The temperature of the water is recorded (the data) until it stabilises, and the calorific value is calculated from the water temperature changes. All data gathered was compiled into a report advising the client when combustion was expected to be reached. 

Industry standard cladding test using x-ray diffraction 

Leveraging their expertise in Power X-ray diffraction, academics from the School of Chemistry conducted a detailed analysis to determine the percentage weight of polymers in cladding samples. This was part of a legal case, where they needed to confirm the quantity of fire-retardant properties in the cladding materials to ascertain if they met industry standards. The team submitted all the collected data in its raw form for potential challenge by the defence and compiled a comprehensive report for submission to the court.