Made Smarter UK

Name

Made Smarter UK

Legal name

Made Smarter

Website

https://madesmarter.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Manufacturing Digital Transformation Services

akta.pro primary industry

Additive Manufacturing & Connected 3D Printing (IMAIAMAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance (BPADAEAL)

Keywords

• Manufacturing digital adoption
• Industrial digital technology
• Digital transformation advisory
• Manufacturing SME grants
• UK Industry 4.0 support

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Programme Delivery: Made Smarter is a government-backed initiative funded by UK Government and delivered through regional partners. The programme provides free advisory services, subsidised digital transformation workshops, and match-funded grants to eligible manufacturing SMEs. As a public sector initiative, it does not generate commercial revenue.
2. Match-Funded Technology Grants: The programme provides up to 50% match-funding for technology implementation (hardware and software) capped at £20,000 per project. This is grant funding from public sources, not a revenue-generating product.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Made Smarter UK is a government-backed national movement that helps UK manufacturing SMEs adopt industrial digital technologies. It delivers free advisory services, digital transformation workshops, leadership training, digital internships, and match-funded grants up to £20,000 to eligible manufacturers in England. The parallel Made Smarter Innovation Challenge funds longer-term R&D, technology accelerators, and data/supply chain hubs for UK manufacturing.

Product overview

Made Smarter UK is a national government-backed movement comprising two interconnected programmes: the Adoption Programme and the Made Smarter Innovation (MSI) Challenge. The Adoption Programme provides SME manufacturers with a suite of advisory and funding services including Digital Transformation Workshops, Digital Internships, the Technology Providers Directory, Digital Leadership Development, and match-funded grants up to £20,000 for technology implementation. The MSI Challenge drives longer-term innovation through collaborative R&D competitions, the Smart Manufacturing Data Hub, Digital Supply Chain Hub, and Technology Accelerators. Both programmes are underpinned by the Industrial Digital Technologies (IDT) Framework covering nine technology categories including AI, robotics, IIoT, additive manufacturing, and VR/AR. Regional delivery partners across England (North West, North East, Yorkshire & Humber, East/West Midlands, South East/South West, East of England, London) provide localised support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Digital Transformation Workshops One-day facilitated sessions where expert advisers work with leadership teams of UK manufacturing SMEs to identify digital opportunities and build a tailored digital transformation roadmap for the business.
• Digital Technology Internships Funded placement programme matching students and recent graduates with UK manufacturing businesses to help develop digital strategy and implement specific technologies; standard duration 300 hours, extended to 480 hours in Yorkshire & Humber.
• Technology Providers Directory UK-wide directory connecting manufacturers with technology providers, hardware suppliers, software developers, research institutions and technology demonstrators for digital projects.
• Digital Leadership Development Programme Subsidised training programme for leaders of UK manufacturing SMEs to increase productivity and embrace new technologies, covering operational change and employee expectations.
• AI Adoption Toolkit Practical toolkit helping SME manufacturers navigate AI implementation using a structured 'Scan, Pilot, Scale' framework, providing guidance on identifying opportunities, testing solutions safely, and scaling successful implementations.
• Match-Funded Grants (up to £20,000) Grant funding providing up to 50% match-funding for hardware and software technology implementation for eligible SME manufacturers in England, capped at £20,000 per project.
• Made Smarter Innovation Challenge UK Government funded programme delivered by Innovate UK driving digital transformation across UK manufacturing through IDT adoption, R&D and innovation support.
• Digital Champions Network Peer-to-peer forum helping manufacturers at all stages of digital adoption build confidence in new technologies through shared learning and best practices.
• Smart Manufacturing Data Hub Programme supporting SMEs to become more competitive through shared data, sensor deployment, IoT connectivity, and digital analysis, backed by £20m grant funding and £30m industry funding.
• Digital Supply Chain Hub Initiative led by Digital Catapult transforming UK manufacturing supply chains through improved data flow and digital technologies, backed by consortium including BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and Sainsbury's.
• Collaborative R&D (CR&D) Competitions Four competitive funding rounds investing £46m grant funding plus £52m private investment supporting 76 projects across Fast Start, Digital Supply Chain, Sustainable Smart Factory, and Robotics themes.
• Made Smarter Technology Accelerator Accelerator delivered by Digital Catapult connecting UK manufacturers with innovative startups to tackle industry challenges through emerging technologies including intelligent factory management, product verification, and digitally enabled workforces.
• Research Centres Network Network of research centres including InterAct, Centre for People-Led Digitalisation, Smart Cobotics Centre, Research Centre for Connected Factories, Digital Medicines Manufacturing Research Centre, and Materials Made Smarter Research Centre.

Quantifiable outcome

• North West: over 2,400 manufacturers supported, £8.1m matched funding secured, 1,900+ jobs created since 2019
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability9 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Department for Business & TradecoreOthers · 27 October 2017UK Government department providing policy oversight and government backing for the Made Smarter programme as part of the Industrial Strategy.
• Siemens UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor industrial technology company serving on the National Commission Board, Strategic Implementation Group, North West Steering Board, and Communications & Marketing group. Provides technology expertise and industry leadership.
• BAE Systems PLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefence and aerospace manufacturer serving as Chair of the North West Steering Board. Provides industry challenge leadership and participates in the National Commission Board.
• Make UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Manufacturers' Organisation serving as Chair of Communications & Marketing group and member of National Commission Board and Strategic Implementation Group.
• Airbus UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAerospace manufacturer serving on National Commission Board and Communications & Marketing group.
• Rolls-Royce PLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAerospace and power systems company serving on the National Commission Board providing industry expertise.
• Digital CatapultcoreTechnology or IntegrationResearch and technology organisation delivering Digital Accelerators including the Made Smarter Technology Accelerator, International Supply Chain Accelerator, and managing the Digital Supply Chain Hub.
• High Value Manufacturing CatapultcoreTechnology or IntegrationResearch technology organisation providing access to test beds, facilities, and R&D support for manufacturing digital transformation.
• The Growth CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary delivery partner for North West England adoption programme, providing digital technology advice, workshops, and grant administration.
• Innovate UK Business ConnectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivers the Made Smarter Innovation Network, providing access to funding, partnerships, innovation support, and test beds for IDT providers and manufacturers.
• AccentureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal professional services company serving on National Commission Board and Strategic Implementation Group.
• Renishaw PLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering and scientific technology company serving on National Commission Board.
• ABB LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company serving on National Commission Board.
• GSKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharmaceutical company serving on National Commission Board.
• Jaguar Land Rover LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive manufacturer serving on National Commission Board and North West Steering Board.
• Confederation of British IndustryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness lobby organisation serving on National Commission Board and Communications & Marketing group.
• Royal Academy of EngineeringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational academy serving on National Commission Board and Communications & Marketing group.
• North East Local Enterprise PartnershipcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional development agency delivering North East adoption programme in partnership with Tees Valley Combined Authority.
• South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined AuthoritycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional combined authority leading Yorkshire & Humber adoption programme delivery in partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority, York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub, and Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority.
• Surrey County CouncilcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLead body for South East adoption programme delivery across Berkshire, Brighton & Hove, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, Medway, Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Solent, Surrey and West Sussex.
• West of England Mayoral Combined AuthoritycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional combined authority leading South West adoption programme delivery in partnership with NCC, Oxford Innovation Advice, and University of the West of England.
• London & PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEconomic development agency delivering London adoption programme on behalf of Greater London Authority.
• Norfolk County CouncilcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLead council delivering East of England adoption programme supporting Essex, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
• InterAct (ESRC Network+)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerESRC-led network uniting economic and social scientists, UK manufacturers, and digital technology providers to address human issues of technological advancements.
• Centre for People-Led DigitalisationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch centre generating human-led solutions enabling UK manufacturers to embrace digitalisation with confidence.
• Smart Cobotics CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch centre at Loughborough University focused on human-robot collaboration in manufacturing, partnering with 7 academic institutions and 87 businesses including 26 SMEs.
• Research Centre for Connected FactoriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Nottingham research centre developing connected morphing factories for resilient, adaptable, reconfigurable manufacturing systems.
• Digital Medicines Manufacturing Research Centre (DM²)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMAC-led initiative at University of Strathclyde transforming pharmaceutical manufacturing through AI, digital twins, and collaborative robotics with 30+ partners.
• Materials Made Smarter Research CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Sheffield research centre transforming cutting-edge research into real-world applications across aerospace, automotive, and material production sectors.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cogent Skills: UK skills organisation supporting science and technology-based industries with workforce development, apprenticeships and training programmes. Comparable as a sector-specific skills/talent intermediary serving UK industrial employers, with overlap in Made Smarter's Digital Internship and Skills pillars.
• Be the Business: Independent UK charity helping SMEs improve productivity through peer learning, mentoring and best-practice adoption. Comparable as a UK productivity-focused programme for smaller businesses, with overlap in SME productivity and digital adoption mission.
• Innovate UK: The UK's innovation agency delivering the Made Smarter Innovation Challenge and providing grant funding to UK manufacturers and technology providers. Direct peer and operational partner in funding industrial digital R&D and adoption.
• Digital Catapult: UK government-backed technology accelerator driving digital adoption across industry. Direct peer as Made Smarter's delivery partner for the Digital Supply Chain Hub and Technology Accelerator programmes, and shares a comparable mandate of accelerating industrial digital technology uptake in the UK.
• Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC): UK government-backed manufacturing R&D centre providing innovation, training and digital adoption support to manufacturers. Comparable as a publicly funded manufacturing innovation intermediary serving UK industrial firms.
• Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN): UK innovation network connecting businesses with funding, partners and emerging technologies. Comparable as a publicly funded intermediary helping UK firms navigate and adopt new technologies, with thematic overlap in digital manufacturing.

Regional players

• Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS): Scottish Enterprise's manufacturing advisory service offering productivity and digital transformation support to Scottish manufacturers. Comparable as a regional government-backed manufacturing digital adoption programme operating in the territory Made Smarter is excluded from (Scotland).
• Industry Wales / Welsh Government Manufacturing Support: Welsh Government-backed business support programmes for manufacturers in Wales. Comparable as a regional government manufacturing productivity/adoption programme operating outside Made Smarter's English geographic remit.

Broad incumbents

• High Value Manufacturing Catapult: UK government-backed network of manufacturing technology centres delivering R&D, testbeds and innovation support to UK manufacturers. Comparable as a publicly funded manufacturing digital/innovation delivery vehicle, though operating at the cutting-edge R&D tier rather than SME adoption.
• Catapult Network (umbrella): UK network of technology and innovation Catapult centres supporting commercialisation and adoption of emerging technologies across multiple sectors. Comparable as the wider publicly funded innovation-delivery ecosystem of which High Value Manufacturing Catapult and Digital Catapult form part.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MadeSmarterUK
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCXW3zLywblnbUQ6VO63Vwdw
• Facebookfacebook.com/madesmarteruk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/madesmarteruk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments12 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Made Smarter UK