Global Incubator Programme: Canada - Made Smarter Manufacturing

Innovate UK ICURe; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Global Incubator Programme, organized by Innovate UK, invites innovative companies in the Smart Manufacturing sector to join a competitive program aimed at scaling businesses through international partnerships and collaborations. The program, running from October 2025 to March 2026, combines virtual sessions with market visits to Toronto, enhancing growth opportunities.

Benefits

Funding for group flights and accommodation

Access to industry experts and mentoring

Qualifications

• UK-based innovation-led company with fewer than 250 employees.
• Focus on Manufacturing with ambition to grow and internationalise.

Responsibilities

• Participate actively in all three stages of the Global Incubator Programme.
• Work with an innovation and growth specialist to develop a strategic action plan.
• Engage in Customer Discovery work and attend market visits.

Skills

Data Analytics

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Machine Learning (ML)

Additive Manufacturing

Robotics & Automation

Internet of Things (IoT)

Connectivity

Augmented Reality (AR)

Virtual Reality (VR)

Digital Twin

Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)

Job description

This Global Incubator Programme, organised by Innovate UK, will be delivered virtually on a weekly basis, with two visits to Canada built into the programme. Each business is supported by an Innovate UK Innovation & Growth Specialist to help maximise the potential of being part of the programme and beyond.

Funded by the UK Government and led by Innovate UK, the Made Smarter Innovation challenge funds businesses and researchers to deliver a resilient, flexible, more productive and environmentally sustainable UK manufacturing sector – visit Made Smarter Innovation – UKRI for further information.

We are currently accepting applications for up to eight innovative companies in the Smart Manufacturing sector to join our programme with MaRS Discovery District in Toronto, Canada. Running from October 2025 to March 2026, the programme combines weekly virtual sessions with two immersive visits to Toronto.

We Would Welcome Applications From Innovative Technology Provider Companies With The Capability To Create Innovative Solutions And/or Novel Applications In Industrial Digital Technologies (IDTs) Such As

• Data Analytics
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML)
• Additive Manufacturing
• Robotics & Automation
• Internet of Things (IoT) & Connectivity
• Augmented Reality (AR)/Virtual Reality (VR)
• Digital Twin
• Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT – incl. Blockchain & Immutable Data)
  
  

We are committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of this programme.

In partnership with MaRS

MaRS is North America’s largest urban innovation hub. A registered non-profit, MaRS supports high-growth start-ups and scale-ups tackling global challenges in various sectors.

In addition, MaRS convenes key members of the tech ecosystem, including entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and industry, to drive breakthrough discoveries, accelerate commercialisation, and grow the economy through real-world impact.

From high-growth start-ups to scale-ups, MaRS tech founders grow their companies and create meaningful innovation. MaRS works with more than 1,200 companies across Canada, turning breakthrough ideas into products and services with global impact.

In 2024 alone, MaRS supported ventures to raise $1.1 billion collectively, while generating $1.4 billion in revenue.

• We are looking for businesses with the ambition and commitment to scale globally. The programme best suits businesses that already have some traction and sales in the UK that are now looking to innovate their products and services through building global partnerships and collaborations to accelerate their growth and scaling journey.
  
  

Required

The Global Incubator Programme operates on a competitive basis and businesses selected against the criteria listed in this application are required to actively participate in all three stages. The three stages of the Programme are as follows:

Prepare

A preparation workshop delivered to the entire cohort in the UK. You will be allocated an Innovate UK innovation and growth specialist to work with in the UK who will work with you on your strategic action plan for the programme. You will receive an overview of the innovation and sector landscape of the country’s market, a full briefing on the programme and working with the incubator, and support to better present your business and the value proposition.

Pursue

During the 6-month programme, the Urban Future Lab will support companies as they undertake intensive Customer Discovery work. A typical programme will see a visit to the market at the beginning of the 6 months, providing the opportunity to explore hypotheses around technology and market fit, preliminary customer validation and an introduction to ecosystem players. This will be followed by regular (weekly or fortnightly) virtual sessions with the incubator team, in-market mentors, and industry experts, to do a deep dive into understanding what it takes to be successful in accessing the market. At the end of the 6 months, companies will undertake a second sponsored visit to the market, culminating in a demo day to showcase the achievements of the cohort, and to continue to raise the profile and make connections for the businesses involved.

Exploit

Work with your innovation and growth specialist to continue to exploit the programme, building on all the connections, knowledge, and expertise gained. You will be in a much better position with the necessary understanding and networks to accelerate your global growth and scaling journey.

• Canada is home to one of the world’s top start-up ecosystems, and is a leading destination for entrepreneurs building the future in climate, health, AI, and emerging technology.
• Resilient supply chains – develop digital technologies for manufacturing supply chains to become more efficient, sustainable, productive, flexible and resilient through the development of digital approaches to better integrate and optimise performance across supply chain nodes.
• World-class production – develop digital technologies for manufacturing factories to become more efficient, sustainable, productive, flexible and resilient through the development of digital approaches to better optimise performance in production operations.
  
  

We encourage applications from technology developers currently in other sectors and looking to pivot into the manufacturing sector, as well as from those already active in the manufacturing space.

To deliver the best overall outcomes for this incubator we will adopt a ‘portfolio approach’ when making the final selection of organisations joining the programme.

• To apply, you must:
• Be a UK-based innovation-led company with ambitions to grow and internationalise
• Be a company with fewer than 250 employees
• Have a focus on Manufacturing
• Innovate UK will fund and organise group flights, group accommodation and group in-market travel for successful applicants. Only one representative from each company will be funded. On acceptance to the initiative a commitment fee of £2000 will be obtained from each delegate, which will be refunded on completion of the full activities. Non-completion after formal acceptance may result in forfeiting some or all the commitment fee.
• To learn more about the programme, register for the applicant briefing event on 8th July 2025.
  
  

Key Dates

• Applications close: 31st August 2025
• Shortlist interviews: 15th – 17th September 2025
• First market visit: 2nd – 7th November 2025
• Second market visit: 15th – 20th March 2026
  
  

For more information, assistance with your application or to discuss accessibility needs, please contact the global team at [e-mail].

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