We're pleased to present the Young Innovators Award Winners 2020/21, 64 ordinary people with extraordinary ambitions.
Innovate UK's Young Innovators programme, in partnership with The Prince’s Trust and delivered by KTN, seeks to nurture the talents of tomorrow, ensuring that every part of the country powers our collective success, whilst tackling some of the most important challenges our society faces.
It will support young people over 3 years with individuals benefiting from a £5,000 grant, one-on-one coaching and an allowance to cover living costs.
Find out more about the programme: https://ktn-uk.org/programme/young-innovators/
Who is Benjamin & what is VING.AI?
"I am Benjamin Ndubuisi, co-founder VING.AI, which has recently received the Young Innovators Awards. With the support of my Innovation Champions, we are carrying out extensive market research to validate the business idea, and develop a strategy for successful execution in the UK. It has been both an engaging and enlightening experience so far, and I am looking forward to the rest of the year working together with great expectation! Visit www.VING.AI for more information"
VING.AI is an AI-powered secure currency exchange platform for Nigerians in the UK. With VING.AI, users are able to:
Shop for the best exchanges rates or trade directly with VING.AI for remittance (from the UK to Nigeria, and vice versa)
Cut down reverse remittance lead times (from Nigeria to the UK) from 1 – 5 days via local banks and / or legacy players (e.g. WU, etc.) to typically within 1 hour or less
Be empowered within the global African community by exchanging funds with fellow Africans via a secure and flexible platform
There are many misconceptions about Research and Development (R&D) Tax Relief, which can create confusion about who is eligible and what activities qualify. The scheme is designed to support businesses that address genuine scientific or technological uncertainty, but myths often make it difficult to understand the boundaries of eligibility.
Demystifying R&D Tax Relief: What Qualifies and What Doesn’t
R&D Tax Relief remains one of the most powerful ways for UK businesses to reclaim part of their innovation costs, but many SMEs struggle with one question: what actually qualifies?
Grant Reporting & Compliance: Avoiding Pitfalls Post-Funding
Winning a grant is an exciting milestone, but it’s not the end of the journey, it’s the beginning of a new responsibility. Once funding is awarded, funders expect clear evidence that their money is being spent responsibly and that the promised outcomes are being delivered. Many organisations focus heavily on the application stage but underestimate the importance of post-award compliance.
Why Early-Stage Startups Shouldn’t Ignore Grant Opportunities
In the startup world, funding is often synonymous with equity. Founders are conditioned to chase investors, prepare pitch decks, and give up shares to keep moving forward. But for many early-stage startups, this can come too soon and cost too much. What if there was a way to fund development, validate ideas, and gain credibility without parting with equity or rushing into a round? That’s exactly what innovation grants offer.
Building a Strong Consortium for Collaborative Grants
Collaborative grants open the door to larger, more ambitious innovation projects. But to succeed, funders want more than a good idea – they want the right team to deliver it. Strong consortia bring together diverse expertise, reduce risk, and demonstrate the project’s real-world impact. Whether you're an SME, academic institution, or R&D leader, knowing how to build and present a well-structured consortium can significantly boost your funding success.
R&D in Construction & Engineering: Overlooked Opportunities
While construction and engineering are typically seen as practical, hands-on sectors, they are also rich with technical innovation. Often, businesses in these sectors are unsure how to assess whether their projects meet HMRC’s eligibility criteria.
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