IBIC ICURe Discover Programme – Applications Open & Webinar Recording Available

Funding and Investment News
Training and Courses
05 Jun 2026

Applications for the 2026 IBIC ICURe Discover Programme are currently open, and we’re continuing to welcome researchers from across the north‑west who are interested in exploring the commercial potential of their industrial biotechnology innovations.

About the IBIC ICURe Discover Programme

IBIC runs an annual, dedicated ICURe Discover Programme focused on industrial biotechnology innovations and open to researchers across the north‑west.

Funded by IBIC and Innovate UK, this dynamic online programme helps researchers begin exploring the commercial options for their work. It focuses on market discovery and supports researchers, academics and technicians in:

  • Understanding their potential market;

  • Increasing market awareness;

  • Gaining insight into real‑world applications;

  • Testing assumptions with up to £2,500 in financial support.

How does it work? 

ICURe Discover enables the entrepreneurial lead to undertake eight weeks of part-time learning, made up of eight half-day briefings which are specifically created with the following aims in mind:

  • understanding personal goals, purpose and aligning with your idea or innovation; 

  • building your value proposition and developing your idea towards commercialisation;

  • mapping your eco-system and discovering real market opportunities through market testing;

  • understanding customers v users and features v benefits;

  • benefiting from peer learning and receiving expert feedback and guidance from the ICURe team;

  • time to explore future funding and support.

The programme will culminate with a presentation where feedback will be offered from the ICURe and IBIC teams, guest mentors, potential investors and peers, with the opportunity to pitch for IBIC funds to continue your commercialisation journey. 

In addition to the time spent in the briefings, it is expected the researcher would spend the equivalent time working on their own validating their learnings and actions to evolve their understanding and gain market traction.

Participants should expect to spend additional time independently validating insights and actions to build market traction.

Key Information