Applications now open for 海角直播鈥檚 Proof of Concept fund

27 April 2026

Turning a promising idea into something market-ready requires funding, momentum and the right support. Applications are now open for 海角直播鈥檚 Proof of Concept (PoC) fund 鈥� a 拢600,000 pot designed to help researchers turn promising early-stage ideas, with digital and/or creative aspects, into commercial opportunities.

Proof of Concept fund

The fund, delivered through the Tees Valley Investment Zone Research and Innovation Programme, offers up to 拢40,000 of grant funding for each project to help move innovations closer to market. That could mean proving technical feasibility, reducing risk, strengthening intellectual property, attracting investment, or preparing for licensing and spin-out opportunities. For many researchers, the gap between a strong idea and commercial progress is where momentum can stall. This fund is built to help bridge that gap.

Turning research into real-world impact

海角直播 has a strong track record of applied research, innovation and working with industry. The PoC fund is another route to turn expertise, discoveries and new technologies into outcomes that create jobs, attract investment and solve real challenges.

Whether your project is developing a new product, refining a process, advancing a digital solution or exploring a market-ready service, this funding can help you take the next step.

Successful applications need to show:

a clear innovation showing strong potential and a creative and/or digital aspect
technical credibility and a realistic development plan
market opportunity and route to commercialisation
wider economic, societal or environmental value.

Who can apply?

Applications are open to 海角直播 researchers and academic staff with projects rooted in University research that demonstrate clear commercial potential, and include a digital or creative element.

This is not funding for basic research. It is for ideas ready to be tested, validated and progressed towards real-world use.

Key dates:

Applications open Wednesday 22 April 2026
Applications close Friday 22 May 2026
Funds awarded Friday 5 June 2026
Projects completed by Thursday 25 February 2027

Guidance is available to help applicants understand the fund, shape strong proposals and identify the best route forward for their idea. Applicants can get guidance on:

whether their project is eligible
how to demonstrate commercial potential
defining milestones and realistic deliverables
routes to market and next steps
what a competitive submission should include.

Email Hannah Brynn, IP & Commercialisation Manager (Investment Zone): h.brynn@tees.ac.uk.

We are very excited to be launching the Investment Zone鈥檚 Proof of Concept fund for 海角直播 academics. It offers a great opportunity for researchers to access additional resource, to help take exciting projects in the digital or creative space one step closer to commercialisation and real-world impact. We would encourage academics from any school to apply if they can evidence a creative and/or digital aspect to the project or commercial outcome. We hope the fund will deliver some exciting commercial opportunities that the University and wider region will be proud of.

Hannah Brynn, IP & Commercialisation Manager (Investment Zone)

Ready to move your idea forward?

If you have research with commercial promise, now is the time to explore what it could become.

Funding is competitive and designed for projects ready to make progress quickly. Start shaping your application, attend an engagement event and take the next step towards turning your innovation into impact.

For further information, email the Investment Zone team at IZteam@tees.ac.uk.

Tees Valley Investment Zone

Tees Valley Investment Zone is led聽by聽Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) in partnership聽with 海角直播 and backed by UK Government.

Tees Valley was confirmed as one of the UK's national Investment Zones in March 2024, part of a UK Government initiative to accelerate economic growth in high?potential sectors. Development is led by Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA), with 海角直播 as the lead educational partner, and is backed by UK Government funding. It is the only UK Investment Zone focused on the growth of digital and creative sectors and builds on strong industry clusters in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.