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Innovation FAQs

Application

  • We ask you for information about you, your idea, your team and your company. Don’t hold back, let us know how great you are and how you will benefit from the Innovation Lab programme.

  • Of course, the best innovations can come from anywhere. Keep in mind that you may need a visa to work in the UK.

  • You must be at least 18 years old to enter the United Utilities Innovation Lab.

The Programme

  • Yes, very similar. The Innovation Lab programme is supported, coordinated and resourced by the United Utilities innovation team who will be with your every step of the way. Previous Innovation Lab participants have said that the contacts made, the feedback given and the support available is invaluable. Click here to find out more about what our past participants thought about the programme.

  • The programme has 5 stages: 

    Apply to our programme, Pitch your idea, Co-create with us, Demonstrate your progress and Commercialise your idea 

    See our programme timetable for more information  

    Description of Activity Time/Deadline
    Applications launch Monday 8th May 2023
    Pitch day W/C 18th September 2023
    Onboarding Monday 2nd October 2023
    Programme starts W/C 6th November 2023
    (Induction week)
    Demo day W/C 12th February 2024

     

  • The 14 week Innovation Lab begins with the onboarding period on 2nd October 2023. During Onboarding you will be fully prepped for the programme starting with an Induction Week on Monday 6th November 2023. Demo Day takes place the week commencing 12th February 2024. 

  • Delivery of this year's Lab will be a mix of virtual and in person. While we would expect you to attend key milestones such as Pitch Day, Induction Week, and Demo Day in person, it is not compulsory to work in United Utilities offices all the time. You are of course welcome to work from United Utilities offices and locations as and when needed throughout the Lab. 

Logistics

  • The L Marks team is on hand to support you in finding local accommodation when attending the Lab in person or working from United Utilities offices and locations. 

  • United Utilities Innovation Lab is designed to help you progress rapidly with a mutually agreed use case. To help you achieve your goals, each team is assigned a category sponsor from the United Utilities senior leadership. Support from the category sponsors and L Marks will help every organisation to navigate the business quickly and progress with their use cases. We tailor every experience based on need and can offer additional external education programmes and support where requested.

Benefits

  • We will pay for reasonable fees relating to the legalities of your participation in the Innovation Lab. You will have a named contact in the United Utilities innovation team, access to mentors and senior decision makers. You will also have access to Untied Utilities’ learning and development catalogue – with organised visits to facilities.

  • You will be expected to behave in accordance with United Utilities site standards including health, safety and wellbeing. We will provide access to our onsite facilities such as in-house gym, coffee shops, wifi and desk space.