Who are the Innovators? An Analysis Of Innovate UK Applicants and Beneficiaries

Embracing diversity is an important aspect of building an inclusive innovation ecosystem, of which the first necessary step is gaining a better understanding about the current applicants and beneficiaries. This study addresses the question ‘Who are the Innovators?’ by examining the applicants and beneficiaries of public funding from Innovate UK between 2016 and 2023. In the absence of self-reported data, the study adopts an experimental approach, using machine learning to identify the perceived gender, ethnicity, and education of applicants. The findings focus not only on the profile of applicants by gender, ethnicity, and education, but also their success rates. Further, recognising that identities are intersectional by nature, the report draws attention to the heterogeneity of groups accessing Innovate UK funding. By providing a portrait of the diverse characteristics of applicants and beneficiaries, it provides Innovate UK, as the UK’s innovation agency, with an evidence base to further its strategy to pursue a more inclusive approach to strengthening the UK innovation ecosystem.

You can access the full paper via the download link on the right-hand side.

Innovate UK have also produced a summary of our report which can be accessed via the link here.