From shaping breakthrough technologies from fusion energy research to de-risking them for market success, we ensure our innovations deliver economic, societal, environmental, and scientific value. Our work is already making waves beyond fusion, unlocking opportunities in a range of industries and markets.
We believe collaboration is essential. Whether you’re a researcher, entrepreneur, investor, or industry leader, UKAEA is your gateway to fusion-derived technologies that can solve global challenges and spark new ventures.
Join us in building the future.
Spinouts
At UKAEA, we don’t just develop breakthrough technologies, we help turn them into successful businesses. Our spinout programme is designed to empower innovation teams to take their ideas from lab to market with confidence and support.
A launchpad for fusion and fusion-derived startups
We actively support our innovators on their journey to spinning out. By providing dedicated time, pre-seed funding, training, and access to UKAEA’s resources, we help teams de-risk their ventures while still embedded within our organisation.
What we offer
Our spinout support ecosystem includes:
- Funding
- UKAEA Spinout Accelerator. A dedicated co-working space where teams operate in start-up mode.
- Entrepreneurs-in-Residence. Hands-on guidance from experienced founders and industry experts.
- Entrepreneurship training. Tailored programmes to build commercial and leadership skills.
- Access to facilities and expertise. Leverage UKAEA’s world-class infrastructure and technical know-how.
- Events and facilitation of networking with investors.
Real-world success
Our spinouts are already making an impact across sectors, from fusion consultancy to next-generation microwave technologies. These ventures are not only advancing fusion-derived innovation but also creating jobs, attracting investment, and delivering value to society.
Licence opportunities
At UKAEA, we recognise that our cutting-edge technologies encompass intellectual property assets with the potential to transform industries far beyond fusion. Through our licensing programme, we offer access to a growing portfolio of fusion-derived intellectual property, ready to be adopted, adapted, and scaled by industry partners.
Why licence IP from UKAEA?
- Proven innovation. Our technologies are developed and validated, both technically and in the market, in one of the world’s leading fusion research environments.
- De-risked projects. We invest in shaping and maturing our inventions to maximise their commercial readiness.
- Cross-sector potential. From robotics and materials to AI and quantum computing, our IP has applications across multiple markets.
- Flexible licensing models. We work with partners to tailor licensing agreements that support mutual success.
What we offer
- A curated portfolio of licensable technologies
- Technical documentation and support
- Access to inventors and subject matter experts
- Opportunities for joint development or co-commercialisation.
Open-source software
At UKAEA, we believe that some technologies are too important to keep behind closed doors. That’s why we actively release selected fusion-derived software under open-source licences, enabling researchers, developers, and innovators worldwide to build on our work and accelerate progress.
We are committed to accelerating fusion research and innovation by sharing key technologies with the global community. Our open-source tools are designed to support control systems, data management, optimisation workflows, and more, helping researchers and engineers build faster, smarter, and more collaboratively.
Get involved
We welcome contributions, feedback, and collaboration from across the fusion and wider scientific community. Whether you’re using our tools, improving them, or building on them, you’re part of the mission.
Case studies
UKAEA’s innovation doesn’t stop at the lab, it creates real-world impact. Our case studies showcase how fusion-derived technologies, partnerships, and spinouts are solving complex challenges and delivering value across sectors. Each case study highlights a unique journey, demonstrating the power of collaboration, creativity, and innovation excellence.
Our latest case studies
Collaboration
At UKAEA, we believe that solving the world’s biggest challenges requires bold collaboration. Whether you’re a researcher, entrepreneur or investor, we invite you to work with us to unlock the full potential of fusion energy-derived innovation.
We collaborate across sectors to maximise impact.
Entrepreneurship
At UKAEA, we don’t just innovate, we build businesses. Our entrepreneurship programme is designed to turn breakthrough ideas into high-impact ventures that extend the value of fusion far beyond the lab.
Whether you are part of a UKAEA team or an external entrepreneur inspired by fusion’s potential, we offer the training and support to help you succeed.
Supporting our spinouts
We actively support UKAEA teams in spinning out technologies with commercial potential. Through our structured spinout pathway, we:
- fund and de-risk early-stage ventures within UKAEA
- provide dedicated time, resources, and office space in our Spinout Accelerator
- offer expert guidance from Entrepreneurs-in-Residence
- help teams move directly to seed-stage funding, bypassing pre-seed hurdles
Fostering new startups in Fusion Energy
We welcome entrepreneurs from outside UKAEA who want to build businesses around fusion-derived technologies. Whether you’re developing robotics, AI, or advanced materials for fusion energy, we can help you with:
- licensing opportunities
- training in entrepreneurship
- investment and funding networks
Entrepreneurship training
We equip future founders with the skills they need to thrive. Our training programmes cover:
- problem validation, market discovery, and product-market fit
- business model development
- IP strategy and commercialisation
- pitching and fundraising
- leadership and team building
Our approach to innovation
At UKAEA, innovation is a strategic capability, not a transactional activity. Our approach goes beyond traditional technology transfer models by embedding innovation into the core of our organisation. We’ve developed a comprehensive Innovation Management Framework that enables us to systematically build, de-risk, and deliver high-impact innovations.
What makes our approach different?
Reports
At UKAEA, we are committed to transparency, accountability, and continuous learning. Our reports provide a window into how our innovation activities are delivering value, not just within fusion, but across industry and society.
These publications highlight:
- impact and benefits – how our innovations are delivering economic, societal, environmental, and scientific value, from new technologies to cross-sector solutions
- progress and performance – updates on our innovation outputs (e.g., licence opportunities, spinout opportunities), and innovation outcomes (e.g., licence deals, spinouts), and benefits (e.g., new products and services launched to the market, jobs created, economic impact)
- initiatives and activities – a closer look at the programmes, partnerships, and efforts driving innovation across UKAEA and beyond
Lessons and insights
What we’re learning about building innovation within a large public research organisation, and how these lessons can inform others across the ecosystem.
These reports are designed to inform, inspire, and support shared progress.
Read Fusion Futures Industry Capability End of Year Impact Report (PDF, 940KB)