Innovate UK is delivering a £6.2 million boost to the UK’s future innovation leaders.
233 high-potential entrepreneurs from every nation and region of the UK receive funding and tailored business support.
Kailash, CEO of SpatialCortex Technology Ltd., Bristol is among the award winners, with a mission to help workplaces understand and reduce manual-handling injuries or Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) such as back-pain.
Kailash Manohara Selvan, Founder and CEO of SpatialCortex, has scooped a national award from Innovate UK, the UK’s Innovation Agency. The prestigious award will support them to build, grow and bring to market their innovative product which aims to reduce workplace manual-handling injuries and MSDs like back-pain, which is a major source of workplace absences.
SpatialCortex’s revolutionary technology MOVA will combine their novel wearable sensors that attach to workwear and AI analytics to help workplaces precisely understand ergonomic risks faced by staff in real operational environments without requiring conventional visual inspections, which further helps risk mitigations, real-time prevention and training development.
SpatialCortex receives strong support from its industrial trial-partners including Transport for Wales (TFW), Amey Infrastructure Wales (AIW) and London North Eastern Railway (LNER) and has previously received support from West of England Combined Authority through their Business Innovation Fund.
Kailash Manohara Selvan said “I’m delighted to have won this prestigious Innovate UK support, which helps develop key functionalities, accelerate our route-to-market and strengthen our collaboration with trial-partners. The support also provides opportunities to inspire the next generation of innovators and make an impact”.
Representatives from InnovateUK said “wow… this innovation is awesome, benefitting both workers and their employers. Definitely one to watch.”
Building on the success of Innovate UK’s targeted programmes, like Women in Innovation and Young Innovators, this latest funding is designed to find and support the fresh innovation talent the UK needs.
Kailash Manohara Selvan is among the 233 high-potential innovators who has been awarded and will receive £50,000 grant. Critically, they will also receive 12 months of tailored business support to help them grow, stimulating the UK’s economy.
In line with the UK’s growing appetite for innovation, this new award programme was amongst the most highly engaged funding competitions Innovate UK has ever delivered - with over 2,100 entrepreneurs applying for funding and business mentorship. There is an urgent need to transform the UK’s skills and talent pipeline, through inspiring and connecting people to new opportunities and pathways into innovation. Innovate UK estimates that, to achieve the UK’s full economic potential, 400,000 more innovators need to be supported, from entrepreneurs to engineers.
Coinciding with the Awards announcement, Innovate UK has joined forces with over 150 partner organisations to launch its free and accessible No Limits digital platform, which makes it easy for aspiring innovators to discover new career paths, sharpen their skills and access opportunities to develop life-changing innovations and future-proof the UK economy.
If you’re an aspiring innovator, or a business looking to connect with new talent, check out nolimits.ukri.org to find support and inspiration.