Innovator Stories: The Net Zero Innovation Portfolio
NZIP Acceleration Support
Eigen was a lead delivery partner for the The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP). This was a £1 billion fund designed to accelerate the commercialisation of low carbon technologies, systems and business models in power, buildings, and industry (NZIP website)
Eigen supported 68 innovator SMEs and delivered 200+ advisory projects. Support always involved:
an expert diagnostic to pinpoint areas where commercial support would be most impactful,
ongoing commercial mentoring to the leadership team.
Acting on the diagnostic, Eigen delivered targeted support or scoped task support for delivery by our programme partners. Eigen targeted support covered a full range of commercialisation services drawing on Eigen expertise:
market landscaping and segmentation to seek optimal first markets and potential entry partners
investment readiness support to ensure appropriate governance and optimal investor communication in place
Exec and team coaching to ensure alignment and drive performance
The videos below are all companies that Eigen supported on the NZIP acceleration programme.
Levistor: Mechanical energy storage
“Support from Eigen Ventures has been excellent. Our Acceleration Manager was very knowledgeable, had lots of very useful contacts and has introduced us to some valuable partners. Generally the support has exceeded expectations.”
LiNa Energy: Sodium metal chloride batteries
“LiNa greatly benefited from NZIP Accelerator support and I have no hesitation recommending it to any small business starting out with an innovation to commercialise. Our Acceleration Manager was supportive and understood the needs of the business very quickly. We valued his consultations, and recommendations he made which have really helped LiNa advance the commercialisaton of our technology.” ”
SeaGrown: Cultivating a UK seaweed industry
“Eigen provided SeaGrown with invaluable, tailored support that helped shape our commercial strategy. Through Eigen we were able to access support from experts – ranging from a specific ‘design for manufacture’ work package through to business development workshops. Their input helped strengthen our business model, build investor readiness, and move confidently towards scale.”
SageTech: recycling anaesthetic gases
“Eigen Ventures initially conducted a gap analysis of our business to highlight our needs. Then working with Eigen and other NZIP programme partners, we set about addressing those gaps. Ours were in financial planning and access to proto-typing and early-stage manufacturing advice and capabilities. This has been tremendously valuable.”
Steamology: zero emission steam
“The NZIP Acceleration Support has offered us long term mentorship and advice during the tricky ‘Valley of Death’ hardware start up journey, maturing the business plan and framing the proposition”
Catagen: Low carbon fuels
Bramble: Fuel Cells
Low Carbon Materials: Carbon negative lightweight aggregate for concrete.