Made Smarter Innovation Alley is a showcase of the most innovative, transformative technology companies in the UK that takes place each year at the heart of Smart Factory Expo during Digital Manufacturing Week This year it will take place from 14-18 November in the Liverpool Exhibition Centre.
Funded by Innovate UK and through the support of Innovate UK KTN, 50 companies exhibit on Innovation Alley to;
- Reach the right audiences and build relationships with potential customers and partners (over 5,000 manufacturers attend Smart Factory Expo every year)
- Build partnerships that can make their digital technology solutions much more appealing to larger manufacturing customers
- Market test new ideas and solutions with the people who would be using them
Innovate UK KTN works with hundreds of innovative companies from across the UK (and further afield) who are creating smart factory digital technologies that are transforming manufacturing. From Artificial Intelligence (AI) to machine learning, additive manufacturing to sensors and blockchain, robotics and immersive technologies to IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) these startups, scale ups, university spin-outs and others are emerging across multiple industry sectors including medtech, chemistry, defence, nuclear, automotive, aerospace, food and drink and others.
If your company has innovative technology in one of these exciting technology areas and you…
- Are less than 5 years old OR have less than 10 staff
- Are based in the UK
- Have an innovative product/service targeted at manufacturers
- Have not exhibited on Made Smarter Innovation Alley in the past
You should apply here for a fully funded place.
Running alongside the exhibitions will be the Made Smarter Investor Readiness Programme where early stage companies involved in the show can access support to refine their investment proposition and pitch their digital manufacturing idea to a panel of investors.
Deyrick Allen from IOT Horizon who exhibited on Made Smarter Innovation Alley previously said: “Innovation Alley was a great opportunity to build our brand and showcase our innovative RFID wireless solutions. A well-known aviation company came back three times to talk to us as they were excited by the technology. We cemented new clients at the show and created some long-standing supplier relationships. A big thank you goes to KTN for the opportunity to exhibit and the support they have provided.”
FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics is also part of the Innovation Alley Alumni network. A spin-out of the AMRC, FourJaw’s mission is to deliver accessible technology that empowers manufacturers to achieve their productivity potential. Their cloud-based machine monitoring platform gives manufacturers real-time visibility of their shop floor, so they can make informed decisions that will reduce downtime, boost productivity and drive improvements to OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness).
Innovation Alley was hugely successful for FourJaw. Not only did they secure some great customers through conversations taking place on their stand, they also joined the investor pitching workshops delivered by Innovate UK KTN and using the insights derived from this workshop, refined their investor pitch. Although they didn’t receive any funding directly from the event, FourJaw went on to secure £1.3m in funding in April 2022 using their revised pitch deck. Chris Iveson, Founder and CEO of FourJaw said: “Innovation Alley was a game changer for us. We knew the show attracted an audience who were looking for smart factory technology so we were ready with our solutions and our pitch. Striking up relationships with new customers was a great opportunity for us and we are delighted to be working with them to maximise their manufacturing productivity.
Head of Industrial Technologies and Manufacturing at KTN Dr Megan Ronayne said: “Made Smarter Innovation Alley is a fantastic opportunity for any early stage organisation with an innovative technology to get in front of the manufacturing community. We’ve been working closely with The Manufacturer and Innovate UK for the last 5 years to make Innovation Alley a major landmark in the manufacturing calendar. We have some interesting companies already signed up to take part but we want to hear from any organisation who feels they have something exciting to showcase and meets the criteria.”
