Design Council Spark

Great innovation is the beating heart of the UK economy, designing our future through world leading products that not only change lives but break new ground, build businesses, jobs, and grow the UK economy.
Sarah Weir OBE, Chief Executive, Design Council

Overview

Spark has become a leading UK product innovation support programme and fund. The programme provides design expertise to help shape business opportunities and develop product innovations through an intensive 16-week process, which gives access to specialists across business, IP, investment, and marketing; funding of £15,000 to develop the product, and the opportunity to pitch for a share of up to £200,000 further funding to fast-track the product to market.

Partnership with Arthritis UK

Design Council Spark are proud to partner with Arthritis Research UK, a charity which conducts research into the cause, treatment and cure of arthritis. Both organisations share a similar ethos – to improve lives through innovation and design. The charity’s support for Design Council Spark aims to attract new product ideas for life-altering products and to fast-track those products to market.

What makes Spark different?

Up to 15 finalists are selected onto our 16-week programme, receiving one-to-one mentoring with specialists in a variety of fields as well as 5 core workshops led by a team of design experts. Finalists gain access to Design Council Spark network and extensive community of past alumni.

Once accepted onto the programme all finalists receive an initial sum of £15,000 to help develop their product, as well as the opportunity to pitch in front of an investment panel to gain further funding to fast-track their product into market.

Register your interest

What we are looking for

Design Council Spark is looking to turn bright ideas into brilliant products to improve the lives of others in the following areas:

How it works

The Spark Journey

Have a bright idea.

We look for bright product ideas that are at sketch, prototype or planning stage.

Apply.

We want to know more about you, your idea and the plans for your product in the future.

Make the shortlist.

The Spark team will notify shortlisted applicants to offer them a position in Design Camp, where you will be introduced to the programme and meet other shortlisted applicants. If you are unsuccessful, the team will give the option to receive personal feedback.

Attend Design Camp.

Design Camp is an intensive 2-day boot camp, where we help you to refine your product idea and pitch for a place on the Spark programme.

Become a finalist

Up to 15 finalists will be selected to join the 16 week Spark programme, which is designed to help you grow your idea and develop a business plan. The programme delivers a series of workshops led by specialist design experts, one-to-one mentoring and a £15,000 grant to assist with product development.

Pitch for the Spark Award.

On completion of the programme all finalists will pitch their product ideas to an investment panel for the opportunity to receive further funding.

Brightest Sparks announced.

Up to five products will be awarded a share of a further investment pot.

Make a difference.

On completion of the programme, all finalists join the Spark alumni community with access to and support from the Design Council’s world-class network.

We have learnt so much whilst being on the Spark programme, the support from the mentors with many years of industrial experience has been invaluable
AirBreathe, Spark 2017 finalists

How you contribute to Spark

Design Council Spark is unique in that we do not ask for any equity from your product. Instead, in exchange for the support provided, finalists contribute a small percentage of their product’s sales to support the next round of successful Spark finalists on their product endeavour.

Meet the Spark finalists 2018 Find out about the products that will be refined and transformed over the next 16 weeks. Find out about the products that will be refined and transformed over the next 16 weeks.

Feature — 12/03/2018

Mentors and Specialists

Design Council has a network of specialists and mentors which are invited to all networking events, workshops and one-to-one sessions. They provide guidance through the programme as well as offer knowledge, insights and access to contacts to help you progress through your Spark journey.

Find out more

For more information about the programme, contracts, intellectual property, funding, benefits and more, please read our detailed FAQs.

How to help your startup go the distance Design Associate Rowena Vestey, shares her tips for a successful startup Design Associate Rowena Vestey, shares her tips for a successful startup

Feature — 21/01/2016

Inspiration

Rockit: On landing a market success The story of the scientist, the teacher and the fireman who turned sleepless nights into a brilliant commercial opportunity. The story of the scientist, the teacher and the fireman who turned sleepless nights into a brilliant commercial opportunity.

Feature — 17/11/2016

Ding: How one idea opened the door to a whole new business We talk to the inventors behind Ding, the smart doorbell that was a Spark finalist in 2015 and went onto to join J-Lab and receive 200% funding on Kickstarter. We talk to the inventors behind Ding, the smart doorbell that was a Spark finalist in 2015 and is on its way to market in 2018.

Feature — 02/05/2017

LOKI - Leveraging the digital community to help grow a brand We spoke to LOKI designer Matt Marais about how he and the team embedded the audience into the very core of their business and product. We spoke to LOKI designer Matt Marais about how he and the team embedded the audience into the very core of their business and product.

Feature — 05/01/2017

Spark awardee Dryphoon on a mission to serve beverages at their best Flat pints of beer, or any drink for that matter, is money down the drain for pubs and bars. Spark awardee, Gary Smith’s glass dryer and chiller will solve that problem. The flat pint may soon be a thing of the past.

Feature — 26/09/2018

Video: Christine’s story – what design can do for people living with arthritis We talked to Christine to discover what products make a difference to her and what she would love to see in product innovation. We talked to Christine to discover what products make a difference to her and what she would love to see in product innovation.

Feature — 23/08/2018

Deborah Meaden celebrates innovative products at the Spark Showcase 2018 The Design Council Spark Showcase, presented by Deborah Meaden, was the culmination of 16 weeks of graft and learning for finalists on the product design accelerator programme. The Design Council Spark Showcase was the culmination of 16 weeks of graft and learning for finalists on the programme.

Feature — 26/07/2018

Advice

Stand out from the crowd – what makes a successful Spark application? Find out more about what we look for in a successful Spark application. Find out more about what we look for in a successful Spark application.

Feature — 29/09/2017

Crowdfunding: changing how you bring a product to market Jess Ratty, Brand Communications Manager at Crowdfunder, discusses how you can use crowdfunding platforms to bring your product to market. Jess Ratty, Brand Communications Manager at Crowdfunder, discusses how you can use crowdfunding platforms to bring your product to market.

Feature — 26/05/2015

Five surprising facts about arthritis Arthritis Research UK, our Spark innovation fund partners, share five interesting facts about arthritis Arthritis Research UK, our Spark innovation fund partners, share five interesting facts about arthritis

Feature — 31/05/2016

Improving lives for those living with arthritis with Design Council Spark We caught up with Kate Croxton, Head of Professional Engagement at our partners Arthritis Research UK, to find out more about the impact that Spark has had on their work so far. We caught up with Kate Croxton, Arthritis Research UK, to find out more about the impact that Spark has had on their work so far.

Feature — 13/07/2018

Congratulations to our Spark 2018 finalists and awardees Last night (26 June 2018) our Spark 2018 finalists from across the UK gathered in London to showcase new product ideas to industry and investors. Last night our Spark 2018 finalists from across the UK gathered in London to showcase new product ideas to industry and investors.

News — 27/06/2018