Protecting an innovation is only the beginning

The real challenge lies in identifying viable market opportunities – often beyond the invention’s original remit – and validating the sectors, customers, and growth pathways that will unlock its full potential.

Our team brings together industry leaders and commercialisation managers with deep technical expertise, many of whom hold PhDs in specialist research areas. This enables them to engage confidently with clients as peers, embedding seamlessly into their R&D cultures.

Combined with cross-disciplinary collaboration, this approach allows us to uncover broader market applications and unlock cross-sector and dual-use potential for early-stage innovations.

Our Sectors

  • Asset 20
    Asset 11
    Defence and National Security
  • Asset 19
    Asset 12
    Climate and Environment
  • Asset 18
    Asset 13
    Health and Wellbeing
  • Asset 17
    Asset 14
    Cyber, Data and AI

Defence and National Security

Part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) ecosystem, and with connections to both public and private defence sector organisations, Ploughshare has over 20 years of experience in bringing new defence innovations to the market.

Our commercialisation experts have a deep understanding of how to work with a broad range of organisations to bring new, cutting-edge, innovative defence innovations to their full potential as licensed technologies or new spin-out companies. This includes:

  • Progressing technologies that can make a critical difference on the front line and strengthen our defence capabilities, national security, and public safety.
  • Identifying innovations that have broader potential as dual-use technologies, and maximising their potential by finding market and licensing opportunities across a wider range of industries outside of the defence industry.

Climate and Environment

Climate change is the biggest threat of the 21st century, and our portfolio of new innovative climate, environment, and sustainability technologies is increasingly growing to reflect this urgency.

Our commercial experts are here to drive positive change with innovative new technologies that can make a real difference in our world and to the planet, while also creating new jobs and boosting the UK economy. This includes:

  • Enabling climate scientists to monitor our oceans and enhance marine listening capabilities.
  • Supporting efforts to combat the effects of climate change and protect communities from rising sea levels.
  • Elevating green energy and recycling capabilities.

Health and Wellbeing

Working to unlock the untapped potential of new technologies that enhance healthcare, medical treatments, and diagnostic tools is a vital part of Ploughshare’s work.

In the medical sector, new technological innovations can be critical to saving lives and reducing costs for the NHS and other medical care facilities. Our Health and Wellbeing commercialisation experts help to bring these ideas to life, including:

  • Providing paramedics with new tools and equipment to treat and diagnose patients on-site.
  • Enhancing diagnostic and patient care possibilities in hospitals with the latest medical technology breakthroughs.
  • Elevating medical science abilities with new inventions and equipment for laboratories.
  • Helping to lower the risk of rising medical emergencies, such as antibiotic resistance, with effective alternatives.

Cyber, Data and AI

The digital revolution and the rise of AI has opened the door for opportunities and positive impact never thought possible before. Alongside this are also a new range of cyber threats and security risks that require sophisticated technological solutions to protect organisations and individuals.

Our digital and data portfolio is increasingly expanding to reflect the new emerging possibilities of AI advancements, and the growing urgency of cyber security solutions. This includes:

  • Safe, transparent, and fully auditable AI solutions designed for high-risk scenarios and complex investigations.
  • AI innovations that improve and tailor the customer experience without requiring customer data.
  • Cyber security solutions to protect both individuals and businesses from cyber threats and significant financial costs.

Key Sectors

Protecting an innovation is only the beginning. The real challenge lies in identifying viable market opportunities – often beyond the invention’s original remit – and validating the sectors, customers, and growth pathways that will unlock its full potential. Our team brings together industry leader and...

Our Ecosystem

Become part of our innovative ecosystem. Turning early-stage innovation into real-world impact requires more than just great ideas – it demands the right connections, insight, and support. Too often, promising technologies stall because they lack access to the networks...

Spin-outs and Licensees

Ploughshare has created 16 spin-out companies and brought over 140 technologies to market. We work with a wide range of individuals and organisations across different sectors to create new start-up spin-out companies, or license the technology to existing organisations...
Who we work with