Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) innovation programme

The new SBRI programme (which is run by the Technology Strategy Board) aims to use government procurement to drive innovation. It provides business opportunities for innovative companies whilst solving the needs of government departments throughout the United Kingdom. Competitions for new technologies and ideas are run, which aim to engage a broad range of companies in short-term development contracts. 

What is SBRI? 

SBRI is a programme that brings innovative solutions to specific public sector needs, by engaging a broad range of companies in competitions for ideas that result in short-term development contracts.

Benefits of SBRI

SBRI is a scheme that benefits both the government department that is running the competition and the businesses that have the opportunity of obtaining a development contract.

Benefits to business

It can be difficult and confusing for companies to access government departments and to obtain simple contracts with them. SBRI creates opportunities for businesses to engage with a specific department need and to prove their technology or idea. Successful companies will gain a lead customer for development and will receive a contract for the full cost of demonstrating the feasibility of their technology, leading to subsequent prototype development. This provides a route to market and establishes credibility for further investment. It is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and early stage companies.

How SBRI works

The process starts with a government department or other public body identifying a specific challenge. This is then turned into an open competition for new technologies and ideas that is open to the broad business community.

The Technology Strategy Board supports all competition and helps with the outreach to business. Companies with potentially interesting technologies and ideas submit an application, either through the Technology Strategy Board or direct to the department, depending on the competition.

The ideas are all received and then subjected to an assessment process. The most successful applications will be awarded contracts to develop the product ideas.

This first feasibility phase is generally limited to 6 months and a maximum contract of £100k.

Following a second assessment stage, the most promising companies will be awarded a second phase contract for up to 2 years and £1m. This is for more detailed product development. This leads to a commercial product or service which is taken to market and open to competitive procurement.

Competitions

A list of all open and past competitions can be viewed on the Technology Strategy Board website here. We also list all open competitions on our Tenders page.