CONNECTS-UK

What CONNECTS-UK does

CONNECTS-UK is a London-based non-profit collaborative platform founded in 2022 by scientific diaspora associations from Finland, France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and Spain, together with Native Scientists; Slovenia (VTIS) joined in 2024. It operates as the first pan-EU platform in the UK explicitly designed to foster scientific collaboration between EU researchers and UK institutions in the post-Brexit environment. Its product portfolio comprises the CONNECTS-UK Platform (community hub), the successor CONNECTS-UK Network launched April 2026, the Ambassadors for Science Programme (pairing researchers with UK policymakers and EU diplomats), a six-city Open Fora Series, the Tandem Scheme (mentorship), multilingual science outreach with Native Scientists, informative sessions on funding and careers, and evidence-based research publications on EU-UK scientific collaboration.

The underlying technology is non-proprietary: the platform is a coordination and advocacy layer built on standard digital channels (website, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, MailChimp newsletter) with no API, integrations, or AI capabilities. Distribution flows through the nine member diaspora associations and seven UK university venues (Edinburgh, Cardiff, Bristol, Middlesex, York, Birmingham, Queen Mary, Cambridge).

The business model is grant-funded non-profit. Core revenue is the EU grant of approximately €500,000 under EuropeAid/174785/DH/ACT/GB for the 2024-2026 project, supplemented by event co-sponsorship from EU Member-State embassies (France, Italy, Netherlands), FECYT, and the Santander Foundation. There are no commercial products or pricing; events are free to attend, with travel reimbursements up to £150. Operationally, the entity runs on a five-person staff (Project Manager Anna Fumarola; Co-Chairs Sara Alvira de Celis and Javier Pardo Díaz representing SRUK/CERU) backed by a Management Team, General Assembly, Working Groups, and Advisory Board drawn from the member associations.

Name

CONNECTS-UK

Legal name

CONNECTS-UK

Website

https://connects-uk.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CONNECTS-UK is a UK-based non-profit collaborative platform founded in 2022 that connects nine EU scientific diaspora associations and their researchers to advance EU-UK research collaboration post-Brexit through networking, policy advocacy, the Ambassadors for Science programme, Open Fora, and science outreach.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Collaboration and Research Networking Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Research Collaboration & Joint Labs (International Partnerships) (EDAIABAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK)

Keywords

• Scientific collaboration network
• EU-UK research cooperation
• Science diplomacy platform
• Researcher community networking
• EU diaspora associations

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. EU Grant Funding: CONNECTS-UK received EU funding through Grant EuropeAid/174785/DH/ACT/GB. The EU funding was around half a million euros according to the press release. Additional support came from sponsors including the European Commission, various EU embassies in the UK, FECYT, and the Santander Foundation who co-sponsored events.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CONNECTS-UK is a non-profit collaborative platform that connects EU scientific diaspora associations, researchers, policymakers, and diplomatic missions to strengthen EU-UK research collaboration in the post-Brexit context. The organization delivers programs including Open Fora (public forums across UK cities), the Ambassadors for Science Programme (pairing researchers with policymakers/diplomats), the Tandem Scheme (mentorship), multilingual Science Outreach workshops with Native Scientists, Informative Sessions on research careers, and Research Publications on EU-UK scientific collaboration. All activities are delivered free of charge through a consortium of nine member diaspora associations and UK university partnerships.

Product overview

CONNECTS-UK is a collaborative networking platform (not a traditional SaaS product) created in 2022 by scientific diaspora associations from Finland, France, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Netherlands, Spain, and Slovenia, together with Native Scientists. The organization operates as a pan-EU hub for science diplomacy, offering the CONNECTS-UK Platform and the successor CONNECTS-UK Network as its core community infrastructure. The portfolio includes the Ambassadors for Science Programme pairing researchers with policymakers, the Open Fora Series (six public forums on topics from AI to climate), the Tandem Scheme for researcher mentorship, multilingual Science Outreach Programmes with Native Scientists, Informative Sessions covering funding and career topics, and Research Publications including reports on EU-UK scientific collaboration and diaspora organisations. The organization does not offer a software product with API, integrations, or AI capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ambassadors for Science: A CONNECTS-UK initiative designed to strengthen connections between EU researchers, UK-based policymakers, and EU diplomats by providing opportunities for researchers to engage with policy and diplomacy.
• Open Fora
• Tandem Scheme

Products and services

• CONNECTS-UK Platform A pan-EU networking platform connecting EU researchers in the UK to foster scientific collaboration, policy dialogue, and science diplomacy between the EU and UK post-Brexit.
• CONNECTS-UK Network A sustainable community platform succeeding the EU-funded project, providing ongoing collaboration opportunities, working groups, events, and advocacy for EU researchers in the UK.
• Ambassadors for Science Programme A programme pairing EU researchers with UK policymakers and EU diplomats to enhance understanding of policy and diplomacy processes, fostering connections and strengthening EU-UK research relations. The programme brought together 8 Researcher-Policymaker/Diplomat pairs.
• Open Fora Series A series of six public forums held across UK cities covering topics including AI (Cardiff, November 2024), democratic backsliding (Edinburgh, October 2024), healthcare (Bristol/Cardiff, April 2025), global economics (Middlesex University London, June 2025), climate crisis (University of York, July 2025), and plant biotechnology for food security (University of Birmingham, November 2025).
• Tandem Scheme A mentorship and pairing initiative connecting researchers across disciplines and career stages to foster scientific collaborations.
• Science Outreach Programmes Educational outreach delivered with Native Scientists, offering multilingual science workshops in Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian for children from migrant backgrounds in the UK. Has established over 20,000 connections between scientists and children.
• EU-UK Scientific Collaboration Research Reports Evidence-based reports examining Brexit's impact on EU-UK scientific collaboration, covering research funding, researcher mobility, and shared research infrastructure.
• Understanding EU Research Diaspora Organisations Report Survey and interview-based research examining how EU research diaspora organisations operate in the UK, their science diplomacy activities, and structural challenges.

Quantifiable outcome

• 83% of survey respondents reported increased awareness of EU research opportunities and resources after participating in CONNECTS-UK activities
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Association of Slovens Educated (VTIS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Member organization - non-profit, volunteer-based association of Slovenians educated abroad. World-wide community of experts, pioneers and researchers committed to promoting circulation of Slovenian knowledge. Slovenia diaspora joined CONNECTS-UK after initial founding.
• Association of Italian Scientists in the UK (AISUK)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Member organization of CONNECTS-UK representing Italian scientists in the UK across Physical Sciences and Engineering, Social Sciences and Humanities, and Life Sciences. Promotes scientific collaborations between Italian and British academic institutions and research centres.
• French Education & Research Network in the UK (FERN-UK)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Member organization bringing together French researchers in the UK to support Franco-British research collaborations in universities and private sectors, support exchanges of graduate students, and create information sharing within the community.
• Dutch Academic Network in the UK (DANinUK)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Member organization providing a social and professional network for Dutch nationals working in UK Higher Education and academic research institutions. Aims to establish stronger cooperation between Netherlands and UK in higher education and academic research.
• Native ScientistscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Non-profit member organization founded in 2013 connecting scientists and children across Europe to reduce inequalities, promote quality education and celebrate diversity. Currently has network of over 3,000 scientists and has established over 20,000 connections between scientists and children.
• Finnish Science Society in the United KingdomcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Member organization founded in 2017 providing a network for Finnish researchers and affiliates to advance and promote scientific collaboration and mobility between Finland and the United Kingdom.
• Portuguese Association of Researchers and Students in the UK (PARSUK)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Member organization founded in 2008, independent non-profit targeting students, researchers and postgraduate workers across all areas of Science and Research. Promotes inclusivity, collaboration and development of more than 2,000 members in the UK.
• Polonium FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Member organization - independent non-profit NGO turning Polish brain drain into brain circulation by unlocking the potential of Polish research diaspora. Connects members at events, researches the community, and provides policy recommendations.
• Society of Spanish Researchers in the UK (SRUK/CERU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Member organization created in July 2011 (officially established June 2012) promoting communication within the community of Spanish researchers in the UK. Lead organization of CONNECTS-UK project, with Co-Chairs Sara Alvira de Celis and Javier Pardo Díaz serving as project co-chairs.
• Embassy of France in the UKsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor and supporter of CONNECTS-UK activities. Supported the closing event and other initiatives to strengthen Franco-British research collaboration.
• Embassy of Italy in the UKsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor and supporter of CONNECTS-UK. Embassy in London hosts events including the 4th Annual Meeting of European Scientific Diasporas. Embassy functions include promoting cultural, scientific and research collaborations between Italy and the UK.
• Embassy of the Netherlands in the UKsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor and supporter of CONNECTS-UK. Provided support for events including the 2nd Open Forum in Cardiff and other initiatives promoting Dutch-UK research collaboration.
• Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSpanish public nonprofit organization dependent on Ministry of Science promoting Spanish science and technology. Supported CONNECTS-UK Open Forums and science outreach activities. FECYT works to catalyze relationship between science and society.
• Queen Mary University of LondonsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for CONNECTS-UK closing event in February 2026. Dean for Education Javier Sajuria opened the event and welcomed attendees on behalf of the university.
• Academia Europaea CardiffsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of pan-European academy promoting research excellence and science for policy. Supported the 2nd Open Forum on AI at Cardiff University, with Director Ole Petersen CBE FRS hosting sessions.
• EURAXESSsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean initiative supporting researcher mobility and career development. Collaborated with CONNECTS-UK on informative sessions including workshops on MSCA Individual Fellowships.
• University of EdinburghsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted the 1st Open Forum on Democratic Backsliding in October 2024 at the Usha Kasera Lecture Theatre, Old College.
• Cardiff UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted the 2nd Open Forum on AI in November 2024 and the 3rd Open Forum on Healthcare in April 2025 at the Haydn Ellis Building.
• University of BirminghamsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted the 6th Open Forum on Plant Biotechnology for Food Security in November 2025. School of Biosciences served as host for the event.
• Middlesex UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted the 4th Open Forum on Global Economics in June 2025 at The Burroughs, Hendon, London campus.
• University of YorksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted the 5th Open Forum on Climate Crisis in July 2025 at Merchant Taylors' Hall.
• University of BristolsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted the 3rd Open Forum on Healthcare in April 2025 at the Life Science Building.
• University of CambridgesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted the 2nd European Researchers in the UK event in March 2025 at Corpus Christi College.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Young Academy of Europe: Pan-European network of young researchers that convenes European scientists for policy and science-society engagement, mirroring CONNECTS-UK's community-led model but at the European rather than UK-diaspora level.
• Academia Europaea: Pan-European academy promoting research excellence and science-for-policy; hosted a CONNECTS-UK Open Forum and operates a substantially overlapping pan-EU science engagement mission.
• Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA): Global network of past and current MSCA fellows — overlapping directly with CONNECTS-UK's EU-researcher-in-the-UK persona and its informative sessions on MSCA Individual Fellowships.
• EURAXESS: EU-wide researcher mobility and career development initiative that supports the same primary audience (EU researchers, including those in the UK) and actively partnered with CONNECTS-UK on MSCA workshops; the most natural direct peer by mission and audience.
• Eurodoc: European council for doctoral candidates and junior researchers that advocates for early-career researcher mobility and conditions — a closely comparable constituency and policy advocacy posture.

Broad incumbents

• European Research Council (ERC): EU funding body supporting frontier research with significant influence over EU-UK researcher mobility outcomes — a strategic incumbent whose policy choices directly shape CONNECTS-UK's relevance.
• Science Europe: Association of European public research funding and research performing organisations that works on EU-UK research policy at a strategic, multi-country level, competing for the same EU-policy advocacy space.
• European University Association (EUA): Larger representative body for European universities that influences EU-UK research cooperation policy at a broader institutional level than CONNECTS-UK's researcher-focused diaspora model.
• British Council: UK-based international organisation for cultural and educational exchange that operates scale, embassy access, and EU/UK relationship programming far beyond what CONNECTS-UK can offer.

Others

• Society of Spanish Researchers in the UK (SRUK/CERU): Lead member association of CONNECTS-UK itself; included as a peer because SRUK/CERU's bilateral Spain-UK programming substantially overlaps with and is operationally fused into CONNECTS-UK's activities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CONNECTS_UK_
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CONNECTS-UK
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/connects-uk
• Instagraminstagram.com/connectssuk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about CONNECTS-UK