Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • £1.2m boost for small firms developing future aviation tech

Aerospace

£1.2m boost for small firms developing future aviation tech

Cranfield University has been awarded £1.2 million to create a UK Aviation Innovation and Technology Entrepreneurship cluster, named AVIATE+, helping small businesses develop the technology of the future.


Image Shutterstock

One of 20 University Enterprise Zones (UEZ), Cranfield will use its world-renowned expertise in this area to support start-ups and SMEs with specialist facilities, programmes and collaborations.

Accelerating innovation in aviation
Professor Tom Stephenson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation at Cranfield University, said: “Aerospace has been identified by the UK Government as being strategically important to our economy, yet there is a lack of specialist business incubators for this sector. With technology developing at pace, including drones and electric-powered flight, we are now in an ideal position to accelerate innovation in aviation. We’re delighted to support small firms who have high-growth potential in this sector, and bring to fruition the technology of tomorrow.”

Advertisement
Leonardo RT

Cranfield University already has the Cranfield Eagle Lab, supported by Barclays, on site. This is a business incubator for early-stage companies supported by the Royal Aeronautical Society, Garfield Weston Foundation and aerospace industry partners. The new UEZ funding will build on this offer and create more grow-on space for businesses with new workshops and aviation facilities with capacity for large components and data connectivity.

Small businesses to benefit from university expertise
The Aerospace sector provides over 120,000 highly skilled jobs in the UK, and will receive up to £125million in Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund public investment, through the Future Flight programme.

Twenty UEZs have been launched by Research England, part of UK Research and Innovation, to strengthen ties between universities and businesses. Alongside this, investment of £78million is going into the second wave of UK Research and Innovation’s Future Leaders Fellowships.

Science Minister, Chris Skidmore said: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, and Bedfordshire has a thriving ecosystem of local businesses and entrepreneurs whose creativity and determination help underpin the UK’s position as a leading innovator.

“Alongside this, many of Bedfordshire’s research community are right on the precipice of turning ground-breaking ideas into real products and services which could change the lives not just of people in the local community but people around the world.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT

“This funding will not only help local scientists take their ideas from lab to market – but will also support an enterprise hub at Cranfield University. Providing space for local businesses to forge crucial partnerships, the UEZs will create jobs, drive local growth and provide SMEs with a vital stepping stone to succeed.”

Universities are at the cutting edge of technology incubation
UK Research and Innovation Chief Executive, Professor Sir Mark Walport, said: “These 20 University Enterprise Zones funded by Research England will be important focal points for collaboration in business-friendly environments, driving innovation and delivering benefits that will be felt across economies at the local, regional and national scale.”

David Sweeney, Executive Chair of Research England, said: "The University Enterprise Zones will act as focal points for collaboration in business-friendly environments, driving innovation and delivering benefits that will be felt across economies as local, regional and national scale.

“They demonstrate that universities are at the cutting edge of technology incubation and are committed to delivering on the government's place agenda."

 

Advertisement
Babcock LB
Siemens and NVIDIA team to drive AI in advanced manufacturing

Aerospace Defence Security

Siemens and NVIDIA team to drive AI in advanced manufacturing

2 July 2025

Siemens and NVIDIA are expanding their partnership to accelerate the next era of industrial AI and digitalisation, towards enabling the factory of the future.

Marshall completes sale of Slingsby Advanced Composites to Mangohojden AB

Aerospace Defence

Marshall completes sale of Slingsby Advanced Composites to Mangohojden AB

2 July 2025

Marshall has announced the completion of the sale of its subsidiary, Slingsby Advanced Composites Ltd., to Mangohojden AB, formerly known as Goldcup 101485 AB, a privately held Swedish company seeking to develop a group of specialist aerospace and defence businesses.

Manchester Airport to Mumbai route set to provide economic boost

Aerospace

Manchester Airport to Mumbai route set to provide economic boost

2 July 2025

A new route between Manchester Airport and Mumbai – India’s financial capital – will deliver an economic boost worth hundreds of millions to the North over the next three years, research out today reveals.

Aircraft order backlog hits record 16,073

Aerospace

Aircraft order backlog hits record 16,073

2 July 2025

Commercial aircraft orders increased by almost 900% in May 2025 compared to May 2024, pushing the total aircraft backlog to a record 16,073 – the first time it has ever exceeded 16,000, according to ADS.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT
Lucideon and MTC enter strategic partnership

Aerospace Defence

Lucideon and MTC enter strategic partnership

1 July 2025

Development and commercialisation organisation (DCO) specialising in advanced materials, Lucideon, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) to drive next-gen performance in advanced ceramics.

Teledyne FLIR OEM unveils brand and website update

Aerospace Defence Security

Teledyne FLIR OEM unveils brand and website update

1 July 2025

Teledyne FLIR OEM, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, today announced the strategic evolution of the Teledyne FLIR OEM brand.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025