Too often, promising technologies stall because they lack access to the networks, expertise, and pathways needed to scale.
Embedded at the heart of the UK’s government innovation landscape, Ploughshare is uniquely positioned as both an insider and a connector. Owned by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) yet operating independently, we bridge the gap between public sector innovation and private sector growth. Our team and ecosystem – comprising former founders, investors, go-to-market specialists, and advisors – bring the expertise and relationships needed to translate early-stage innovations into scalable, real-world ventures. This expansive and trusted network is fundamental to our success; it’s what enables us to deliver commercial impact with societal value.
The founders, entrepreneurs, and inventors that we work with are hugely important to creating our spin-out companies and helping their success. Many of our founders started as inventors and developed the technologies the spin-outs are based around, meaning these new start-ups are lead by experts in both the technologies themselves and the areas of research they came from. For other spin-out companies, we work with experienced entrepreneurs who are brimming with ideas, enthusiasm, and business expertise to take the technology to its next steps. All of our founders and entrepreneurs believe strongly in the innovations they bring to market and are deeply invested in the success of these technologies and the difference they can make in the world.
As an inventor, entrepreneur, or founder, the technologies you deliver can help to save lives, power new economic opportunities, and tackle urgent global challenges. With Ploughshare’s collaboration and guidance, together we can turn bold new ideas into real-world outcomes that matter.
With two decades of experience working with government organisations, and being wholly owned by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), Ploughshare has extensive knowledge in transferring technologies from, and licensing to, government bodies.
Many of our key partner organisations are public sector government organisations, who provide high-potential Intellectual Property (IP) and new innovations for our portfolio of technologies available to license, and we work with government, public, and private sector organisations to create licensing deals and bring these new innovations to market.
Whether you are looking to drive new technologies to market, or add to your products and services, our technology transfer experts are here to help.
Ploughshare has extensive experience in licensing the cutting-edge, innovative technologies in our portfolio to large private sector organisations and industry bodies, helping to drive business growth, provide value to customers, and support return on investment.
We also now are opening the opportunity to work with industry bodies and private sector organisations looking for expert technology transfer support in delivering their own new innovations to the market, and to create real-world impact and commercial opportunities. See our six new services designed to support you.
Ploughshare’s licensing opportunities are open to businesses of all sizes, including SMEs. Our commercial experts are best placed to work with you to ensure a technology is the right fit for your portfolio and will elevate or expand your current products or services, overcome current user challenges your audience may have, and create return on investment.
We work across both the public and private sector to drive technologies where they are needed most. Browse our portfolio of technologies available to license and speak to our team today.
If you are an academic or research institution and are creating new intellectual property (IP), technologies, and innovations, and need support unlocking their full potential, then we want to hear from you. Our commercialisation team are here to work closely with you to support every step of the journey – from helping you identify which of your hidden IP has most potential, to delivering the the finished and fully developed product to the market to be used in real-world applications.
With our support, you can elevate and broaden the possibilities of what your technologies can do, diversify your income streams, and reach your commercialisation goals. See our six new services designed to support you.
Even the best ideas don’t reach the market on their own. Ploughshare is the launchpad for new business growth, and support from our investors can be critical to technologies reaching the market and fulfilling their potential as a spin-out company or licensing deal.
As an investor, our commercialisation experts will work with you to find the right high-potential technologies designed by leading experts, ready for new commercial and economic opportunities. We work to drive return on your investment, and deliver real impact to people, business growth, and the UK economy.
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