Spark Innovation

As part of our Accelerate project, we work with local communities and stakeholders to accelerate local disability innovation solutions relevant to their community, turn unmet or under-met needs of disabled people into an opportunity. Our current areas of spark innovation include hackathons and innovation activities related to research grants such as TIDAL N+.

Spark is our mechanism to kick start innovation and test proof of concept. We provide evidence and participation support, with access to co-design participants and validation of innovation concepts. The most successful spark innovations will feed up the pipeline - transitioning to the start-up innovation ecosystems.

If you are innovator or venture and would like to know more please complete our Innovator Enquiry form and tell us more about yourself and your product.

Spark events portfolio

• Creating accessible interfaces for people living with MND, ALS or MD: alongside UCL Computer Science and The International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations we hosted a hackathon exploring accessibility problems using digital devices, with participation in three countries (UK, Kenya, and Korea).
• Enable Makeathon 2.0: partnering with UCL and the International Committee of the Red Cross, the GDI Hub hosted London's Enable Makeathon 2.0 - which took place alongside a parallel event in India. The Makeathon brough innovators into an intensive co-creation and incubation camp, with access to expertise, resource and mentorship to drive product development, refinement and strategy for Assistive Tech solutions. The most successful ventures received investment to propel there product into the market.

Do you have an idea for a Spark Innovation Event?

To submit an event proposal by completing this Microsoft Form: Spark Innovation Event