Enabling Innovation

29th & 30th October 2025

NEC, Birmingham

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30 & 31 Oct 2024 | NEC Birmingham

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Enabling Innovation at Advanced Engineering

Discover the next-generation technology that will drive UK manufacturing and design

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Applications now open for 2024!

As part of the UK’s largest annual event for manufacturing, engineering and technology professionals, the Enabling Innovation zone supports smaller enterprises that are eager to accelerate and commercialise their innovation into the advanced manufacturing and technology industries.

How do I enter?

It couldn’t be simpler! To enter simply…

  1. If you’re a Start-up or SME and would like to be involved, fill out the submission form below
  2. If selected, you’ll receive an exhibiting pod free of charge at Advanced Engineering 2024
  3. Pitch your product in one of the forums to the judges and industry experts
  4. If chosen as the winner, you’ll receive a free full-sized stand in 2025!
Submit an entry
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Supported by

Supported and judged by experts at Innovate UK, the Knowledge Transfer Network, and Innovation DB,  Advanced Engineering welcomes applications from across all engineering sectors. When it comes to Enabling Innovation, the sky is the limit!

Submit an entry

Sponsored by Xometry

At Advanced Engineering, we’re proud to join forces with Xometry, a trailblazer in on-demand manufacturing, to sponsor the “Enabling Innovation” feature tailored for startups.

 Xometry has generously pledged £2000 towards the build parts of the winning project in our Enabling Innovations initiative. This contribution will provide invaluable support to bring the winning idea to life. We extend our deepest gratitude to Xometry for its commitment to fostering innovation and empowering startups. Together, we’re propelling the future of industry-changing projects.

Meet the 2024, 10 Enabling Innovation finalists

Meet the Enabling Innovation Zone companies

DAFO.AI

DAFO AI is a groundbreaking operator guidance suite designed to support manufacturing processes by leveraging computer vision and AI technologies. The solution helps manufacturers optimize assembly, training, and quality control processes by providing real-time, step-by-step guidance and automated error-proofing. DAFO AI enhances operational efficiency while reducing human error and waste, offering manufacturers a flexible and modular approach to digitize manual and semi-automated workflows. The tool can seamlessly integrate into existing infrastructures or operate as a standalone solution, adapting to various industries like automotive, aerospace, electronics, and food & beverage.

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dream big

Dream Big Composites

Dream Big Composites, a Yorkshire-based tech startup, was founded two years ago with the mission of transforming the composite manufacturing industry through innovative technology. Our journey began with the development of the Composite Smart Vacuum System, a groundbreaking IoT device that automates the critical monitoring and control of vacuum pumps to prevent leaks and thermal runaway in composite manufacturing. Our early prototype won a prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering award, validating our vision and setting us on the path to success. Our IoT device acts as an additional technician, providing real-time monitoring and management of part of the composite manufacturing process. By automating key tasks and providing early visual and audio alerts, our system helps operators intervene promptly to prevent part scrappage and ensure smooth operations. We reduce scrap and improve production efficiency and cost-effectiveness. At Dream Big Composites, we are committed to making advanced monitoring and control technology accessible to all composite manufacturers. Our solution, which was once available only to companies with deep pockets for bespoke systems, is now offered as an off-the-shelf product that anyone can afford. Our modular design means easy customisation and expansion, meeting the specific needs of each customer. It updates over the air, so maintenance is low. We believe in the power of innovation to drive progress and improve the bottom line for our clients. Our Composite Smart Vacuum System is designed to be user-friendly, affordable, and highly effective, providing a comprehensive solution to the challenges faced by composite manufacturers. We are dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. Our team’s extensive experience in both composite manufacturing and software development allows us to create solutions that are both practical and cutting-edge. We are passionate about helping our customers succeed and are committed to providing the support and expertise needed to make best use of our groundbreaking technology.

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Entrust Microgrid Ltd

Entrust Microgrid are a small team of globally leading expertise in smart microgrid, EV charging and EMS (energy management system). Our innovative EnSmartEV system solution will be the future standard rapid/superfast EV charging solution for motorway services, central bus stations and fleet EV operators, replacing current AC powered rapid/superfast EV charging technologies, which are not sustainable.

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Innovative Physics

Innovative Physics Ltd. (IPL) is an applied sciences company which evolves current technologies to provide novel solutions and deployment techniques to radiological obstacles for the benefit of customers and society. Founded in 2008, IPL, whose headquarters and research and development (R&D) facilities are based on the Isle of Wight, is a privately investment-backed R&D technology services organisation which operates on an international scale with foreign governments and business leaders across Asia, Europe and the USA. The company offers custom, modular, flexible solutions to customers and collaborators. Opportunities are identified through customers and partners working within the industry and market feedback. The company has a wealth of knowledge (over 70 years) and, at its core, an extensive patent portfolio in radiation visualisation, signal imaging and processing, sensor development, artificial intelligence and pattern recognition algorithms. Our highly qualified, internationally experienced leading research and development team combine technological and scientific experience with the imagination to create innovative, unique solutions to existing and new industry challenges Core to IPL is a patent portfolio spanning sensor technologies and novel deployment techniques. IPL’s aim is to evolve current technologies embedded within the company and to discover practical, intuitive solutions to real obstacles for the benefit of customers and society.

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Tangle Hold - Kings College London

Can you pick it? Try it at home. Get a kitchen scale and try to pick exactly 15g of fresh coriander. Now do it again. And again. Continue until the end of the working day. This is what it takes to pack fresh herbs for UK supermarkets. A major pain point in industrial sectors such as food production and packaging in the UK (market size of £128.3 billion), is the heavy reliance on manual labour, and the shortage of people willing to take on that work. The sector has fallen behind from the rapid growth of robotic automation due to the sheer complexity of designing robotic systems capable of handling this kind of deformable, living, tangle-prone material. To address this, we have developed an entirely new concept in robotic gripping. Our gripping technology uses an entangling meta-material, overcoming limitations of conventional grippers. It efficiently handles deformable and hard-to-grasp objects like wires, yarns, herbs, and netting, surpassing fingered grippers, suction devices, and scoops. It tangles with the target objects to capture them for picking, and automatically disentangles from them when the objects should be released. We filed a patent application with broad coverage of this gripping concept in January 2024, and we are now embarking on the journey to commercialise our technology. Can we pick it? Yes, we can!

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RHEINBERRY

Rheinberry is an aviation-focused technology consultancy, founded by industry experts with experience at major international airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Copenhagen. Our core competencies encompass data analytics, predictive maintenance, open architecture, aviation security, sustainability, and baggage systems. Through a consortium of specialist technology providers (including Createc and NWPro), Rheinberry excels in architecting and delivering innovative solutions. By leveraging the latest approaches and cutting-edge technologies, we offer cost-effective alternatives to large suppliers, ensuring top-tier performance and value for our clients. Our partners bring world leading innovative solutions, massive amounts of credibility and industry experience across a wide range of industries and specialisations. BoundaryGuardian provides UK and international manufacturing and engineering facilities increased security to protect assets, knowledge and operations using cutting edge technology.

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RHEON LABS

RHEON LABS is an innovative, fast-growing materials technology company. We partner with the world’s most innovative brands to unlock new benefits for their products that were previously thought impossible. At the core of RHEON™ technology is an energy-absorbing super polymer. It is soft and flexible in its natural state but absorbs energy by stiffening when subjected to force. It can be integrated into countless products to dissipate high-levels of energy or give them unique responsive properties. Since we spun out of Imperial College in 2018, we have collaborated with the likes of Adidas, Rapha, Harley-Davidson & the NFL to create products that showcase why we exist as a company – to remove the limits on human performance. Our latest showcase will be seen on the world’s biggest stage, at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where our collaboration with adidas on Team GB’s sprint suits will be powering athletes to set new records.

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Simko

Simko, a trailblazing startup, redefines automotive excellence with a laser focus on efficiency, carbon negativity, and revolutionary technology. Committed to climate action, Simko produces groundbreaking electric high performance propulsion systems, aerodynamics and contributing to a greener planet. Here’s a concise description of Simko: Simko.eco: A Technology Startup Driving Innovation for Electric Vehicles Simko.eco is a forward-thinking technology company dedicated to advancing the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Our mission is to create a sustainable future where every innovation sets a new standard for eco-conscious performance. Here’s what makes Simko stand out: 1. Efficient EV Propulsion Systems: Simko’s state-of-the-art EV propulsion systems are more than twice as efficient as those found in conventional electric vehicles. By optimizing power delivery and minimizing energy losses, our technology redefines what’s possible in the world of electric mobility. 2. Custom Aerodynamics: We’ve developed a custom aerodynamic system that significantly reduces EV vehicle drag. By streamlining airflow and minimizing resistance, our concepts achieve better efficiency and longer range. In fact, our aerodynamic enhancements lead to a 30% reduction in drag, making Simko vehicles even more eco-friendly. Join us in driving towards a sustainable future. Where innovation meets eco-performancene where cutting-edge technology and environmental consciousness go hand in hand.

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Thought3D

At Thought3D, we revolutionize the world of 3D printing with our cutting-edge solutions designed to address the most critical challenges in additive manufacturing. Our flagship products, Drywise and Magigoo, offer unparalleled material control and adhesion capabilities, ensuring exceptional print quality and efficiency. Trusted by industry leaders across automotive, aerospace, medical, and consumer goods sectors, Thought3D is committed to driving innovation and sustainability in 3D printing. Join us on our mission to enhance manufacturing processes, reduce waste, and set new standards in material performance. Discover the future of 3D printing with Thought3D.

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Uplift360 Ltd

Uplift360 is developing low-energy chemical technologies to recycle advanced fibres and composite materials.

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Hear from the Enabling Innovation 2023 winner

It is incredible to win; we've been working on this for a long time, and this is the first recognition. We are over the moon! We are looking forward to using the prize to further the R&D in production to develop the products and take them to customers so they can use them in the fields. The show has been fantastic for us; it is the first time we exhibited the product. We had lots of interest and good feedback.
Chris HortonManaging Director, OxDrive

Hear from the 2022 winner

Protolaunch is thrilled to have been awarded the Enabling Innovation Award for our disruptive rocket thruster technology. Showcasing as part of the Enabling Innovation start-up zone at Advanced Engineering allowed us to make new relationships with potential customers and suppliers alike and the event has played a noticeable role in the growth of our business.
Matt EscottCEO, Protolaunch

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Show opening times 2025

  • Wednesday 29th October
  • 09:00 - 17:00
  • Thursday 30th October
  • 09:00 - 16:00

Venue

  • NEC Birmingham
  • Halls 3 & 3a
  • United Kingdom
  • You must be 16+ to attend

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