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ReportInnovate UK’s Long-Awaited Prospectus
Innovate UK published its new operating prospectus today: "Turning breakthrough ideas into the UK's next industry giants." This is the most significant IUK strategy document since the UKRI restructuring began. Five sections breaking down what it says, what it doesn't say, and what founders actually need to know.
Insights & Reports
The consortium agreement clause that UK SMEs never negotiate — and always regret
When you join a Horizon Europe consortium, there's one clause in particular that UK SMEs should negotiate every time: background IP access rights.
Protecting your IP when using AI tools in your R&D process
If you're using ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, or AI platforms in your R&D, you have IP questions that didn't exist three years ago. The decisions you make now will affect your IP position for years.
Trade secrets vs patents for grant-funded deep tech: when keeping quiet is the smarter strategy
There's an assumption that patents are the default for IP protection in grant applications. But for AI/ML, process chemistry, and data-driven products, patents may not be your best option.
Joint IP ownership with your academic collaborator: the hidden grant compliance risk
An SME and a university win a collaborative grant, generate valuable IP — and then discover they have fundamentally different expectations about who owns what.
What FTO depth is actually needed for a grant application vs a fundraise
Do you really need a full freedom-to-operate analysis before funding? It depends entirely on who you're asking for money and where you are in your journey.
The operational budget lines that healthtech founders leave out of every grant application
Open any early-stage healthtech grant application and you’ll find a budget that’s 80% technical R&D. What you won’t find is a single line item for the operational work that determines whether the project produces a company or just a report.
The 16–18 month NHS sales cycle: what actually happens in those months and how to survive them
Every healthtech founder is told that NHS sales cycles are long. Very few are told what happens during those 16–18 months from first meaningful conversation to purchase order — or how to stay alive financially while you wait.
NHS DTAC, ISO 27001, SOC 2: the digital health compliance roadmap that doesn’t cost £200k
If you’re building a digital health product for the NHS and you’ve asked a consultancy what ISO 27001 certification costs, you’ve probably been quoted somewhere between £120k–200k. That number is real — but it’s not what compliance has to cost.
What FTO depth is actually needed for a grant application vs a fundraise
Do you really need a full freedom-to-operate analysis before funding? The short answer is: it depends entirely on who you're asking for money.
Latest News
Pitchwits News | 14 April 2026
Sir Leszek Borysiewicz named preferred UKRI Chair. £500m Local Innovation Partnerships Fund locks innovation to seven new regions. Pension funds enter UK venture, the Women Backing Women fund hits first close, and the EU prepares to pick a manager for the €5bn Scaleup Europe Fund.
Pitchwits News | 25 March 2026
Innovate UK launches seven competitions across four programmes — £33m+ in grants. UKRI commits £1.6bn to AI. UK startups raise £142m — and we checked who had grants first. Plus: biotech’s structural gaps and the grant-shaped solutions.
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