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?

Innovation as a distinct discipline

We treat innovation as a legitimate business function, separate from but complementary to R&D. While R&D focuses on technical feasibility, our innovation process addresses market desirability, market timing, and commercial viability.

Proactive and agile

We actively generate and shape ideas from across the organisation, using lean, evidence-based methods to test assumptions quickly. By accelerating learning cycles and embracing uncertainty, we reduce risk and increase the chances of timely market success.

Systematic and repeatable

Our structured innovation funnel ensures that promising ideas are nurtured, while those that don’t meet market needs are respectfully retired. This optimises resource use and increases the likelihood of success.

Strategically aligned

Innovation at UKAEA is tightly linked to our organisational mission. We prioritise ideas that deliver economic, societal, environmental, and scientific benefits, and we continuously adapt our strategy to emerging opportunities.

Embedded in culture

We foster a culture of experimentation, psychological safety, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Innovation is not an add-on, it’s part of how we think, work, collaborate, and lead.

Supported by spaces to innovate

We create protected spaces, physical, financial, temporal, and procedural, where innovation can thrive. From dedicated budgets to accelerators and time to explore, we enable our teams to innovate with confidence.

Integrated across the organisation

Innovation interfaces seamlessly with our core business functions, including legal, commercial, communications, and R&D. This ensures that innovation is well-supported and strategically embedded.

Designed for impact

We don’t stop at outputs. Our framework ensures that validated innovations are adopted, scaled, and embedded to deliver measurable value, through licensing, spinouts, open source, among other routes.

Building an ecosystem around innovation

We actively cultivate a community of collaborators, including industry, academia, startups, investors, and public bodies, to amplify our innovation impact. Innovation thrives through shared knowledge, collaboration, and strategic partnerships.

Strategic IP management

We treat intellectual property as a strategic asset. Our IP strategy balances protection and openness, enabling collaboration, commercialisation, and long-term value creation. Our dedicated IP Management Office ensures innovations are safeguarded and positioned for success.