Made Smarter UK
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersManchester, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Made Smarter UK firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Made Smarter UK industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Made Smarter UK is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Manchester
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
Made Smarter UK business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Fully-funded advisory and consultancy services |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Multi-year contract | Technology adoption grants (up to 50% match-funding) |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Digital Internship Programme |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels9 records
Marketing channels10 records
Made Smarter UK product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use Made Smarter UK
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Made Smarter UK technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability9 records
Feature5 records
Made Smarter UK partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
29 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Department for Business & TradecoreUK Government department providing policy oversight and government backing for the Made Smarter programme as part of the Industrial Strategy.
- Siemens UKcoreMajor 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 PLCcoreDefence and aerospace manufacturer serving as Chair of the North West Steering Board. Provides industry challenge leadership and participates in the National Commission Board.
- Make UKcoreThe Manufacturers' Organisation serving as Chair of Communications & Marketing group and member of National Commission Board and Strategic Implementation Group.
- Airbus UKcoreAerospace manufacturer serving on National Commission Board and Communications & Marketing group.
- Rolls-Royce PLCcoreAerospace and power systems company serving on the National Commission Board providing industry expertise.
- Digital CatapultcoreResearch 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 CatapultcoreResearch technology organisation providing access to test beds, facilities, and R&D support for manufacturing digital transformation.
- The Growth CompanycorePrimary delivery partner for North West England adoption programme, providing digital technology advice, workshops, and grant administration.
- Innovate UK Business ConnectcoreDelivers the Made Smarter Innovation Network, providing access to funding, partnerships, innovation support, and test beds for IDT providers and manufacturers.
- AccentureminorGlobal professional services company serving on National Commission Board and Strategic Implementation Group.
- Renishaw PLCminorEngineering and scientific technology company serving on National Commission Board.
- ABB LimitedminorTechnology company serving on National Commission Board.
- GSKminorPharmaceutical company serving on National Commission Board.
- Jaguar Land Rover LtdminorAutomotive manufacturer serving on National Commission Board and North West Steering Board.
- Confederation of British IndustryminorBusiness lobby organisation serving on National Commission Board and Communications & Marketing group.
- Royal Academy of EngineeringminorNational academy serving on National Commission Board and Communications & Marketing group.
- North East Local Enterprise PartnershipcoreRegional development agency delivering North East adoption programme in partnership with Tees Valley Combined Authority.
- South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined AuthoritycoreRegional 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 CouncilcoreLead 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 AuthoritycoreRegional combined authority leading South West adoption programme delivery in partnership with NCC, Oxford Innovation Advice, and University of the West of England.
- London & PartnerscoreEconomic development agency delivering London adoption programme on behalf of Greater London Authority.
- Norfolk County CouncilcoreLead council delivering East of England adoption programme supporting Essex, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
- InterAct (ESRC Network+)minorESRC-led network uniting economic and social scientists, UK manufacturers, and digital technology providers to address human issues of technological advancements.
- Centre for People-Led DigitalisationminorResearch centre generating human-led solutions enabling UK manufacturers to embrace digitalisation with confidence.
- Smart Cobotics CentreminorResearch 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 FactoriesminorUniversity of Nottingham research centre developing connected morphing factories for resilient, adaptable, reconfigurable manufacturing systems.
- Digital Medicines Manufacturing Research Centre (DM²)minorCMAC-led initiative at University of Strathclyde transforming pharmaceutical manufacturing through AI, digital twins, and collaborative robotics with 30+ partners.
- Materials Made Smarter Research CentreminorUniversity 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
Made Smarter UK competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
Made Smarter UK social profiles
Digital presenceMade Smarter UK financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Made Smarter UK leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Made Smarter UK funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Made Smarter UK M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments12 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Made Smarter UK
What does Made Smarter UK do?
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.
Is Made Smarter UK a public or private company?
Made Smarter UK is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Made Smarter UK founded?
Made Smarter UK was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Made Smarter UK based?
Made Smarter UK is headquartered in Manchester, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Made Smarter UK make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Government-Funded Programme Delivery is the primary driver. The others are match-Funded Technology Grants.
Who are Made Smarter UK's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cogent Skills, Be the Business, Innovate UK, Digital Catapult, Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN). Regional players are Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS) and Industry Wales / Welsh Government Manufacturing Support. Broad incumbents are High Value Manufacturing Catapult and Catapult Network (umbrella).
Does Made Smarter UK have an API?
No public API is recorded for Made Smarter UK.
What industry is Made Smarter UK in?
Made Smarter UK's product category is Manufacturing Digital Transformation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAIAMAL, Additive Manufacturing & Connected 3D Printing, with a secondary code of BPADAEAL, Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance.