Advanced Engineering opens competition for top UK start-ups

Advanced Engineering is offering an exciting opportunity for the country's top start-ups to participate in its Enabling Innovation competition.

The contest, centred around the theme of "inspiring the future of engineering and manufacturing," will culminate at this year's exhibition, where finalists will showcase their companies to a panel of esteemed judges at the NEC, Birmingham. Taking place on November 1 and 2, 2023, Advanced Engineering brings together key players from the engineering and manufacturing industries.

The finalists will have their own dedicated space at Advanced Engineering, within the Enabling Innovation Zone, allowing them to engage with like-minded businesses and present their ideas to an audience of around 9,000 attendees. As part of the competition, finalists will also demonstrate their innovations to a panel of judges composed of industry leaders on the show’s main stage. This bustling area of the exhibition will provide start-ups with valuable networking opportunities across various sectors, including automotive, aerospace, composites, and Industry 4.0.

The winner of Enabling Innovation will not only receive a trophy, but also earn a complimentary full-sized stand with a branded plinth and marketing at Advanced Engineering 2024. The marketing for the finalists will extend throughout the year, encompassing email campaigns, video interviews, social media exposure, press releases, and a dedicated page on the Advanced Engineering website under the Enabling Innovation section. This extensive marketing support will elevate the profile of these new businesses and open doors to greater opportunities.

Dragonfly Insulation, the innovative start-up that won the competition in 2022 and a free stand at this year’s exhibition, will return to the show this year. Jeremy Whittingham, consultant for science, engineering and technology organisations, and part of last year’s judging panel said: “Dragonfly Insulation’s presentation was very much geared towards investors, who might have been in the audience, which we thought was a very clever move. It talked specifically about the benefit of using its specific materials and brought out the uniqueness of the product extremely well.”

The Enabling Innovation initiative receives support from leading innovation partners, Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), Innovation DB, Innovate UK and Startups Magazine. These work with start-ups throughout the UK, offering them the means to accelerate and commercialise their innovations in the advanced manufacturing and technology sectors.

Drawing in thousands of visitors each year, Advanced Engineering attracts visitors and exhibitors from various sectors, including aerospace, composites, automotive, metals, space and satellite and connected manufacturing.

Further details and the application form for Enabling Innovation can be found here. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to present at Advanced Engineering, taking place at the NEC, Birmingham on November 1 and 2, 2023.