Business secretary Alok Sharma has announced that the government is doubling investment in the Fast Start Competition with an additional £20 million.

The competition aims to fast-track the development of innovations borne out of the Coronavirus crisis, while supporting the UK’s next generation of tech startups.

Among the successful projects to receive the funding to date, is a virtual-reality surgical training simulator and an online farmers’ market platform.

Sharma said: "The Coronavirus crisis has created challenges that impact the way we live, work and travel but has also prompted a wave of new innovations as businesses look at ways to solve some of the challenges facing our world today.

"This funding will support UK startups to deliver potential solutions, services and ways of working and help ensure the long term sustainability of these businesses."

The investment comes from a £211 million government support package to drive forward business-led innovation and is part of a wider investment package of £1.25 billion for innovative UK businesses announced by the chancellor on 20 April 2020.

Innovate UK received over 8,600 to the Fast Start Competition and will now be able to distribute investment to over 800 projects.

Projects receiving funding include:

• I3d Robotics - which is building a virtual-reality training/teaching platform to enable medical students to upskill remotely and perform simulation surgeries.
• Volunteero - which has developed a social media app to connect local communities and allow volunteers to target support to the most vulnerable members in their neighbourhoods.
• Elchies Estates - which is setting up new virtual farmers’ markets to replace traditional markets which have had to close as a result of COVID-19, providing a platform for local businesses and farmers to sell produce.

Innovate UK's executive chair Ian Campbell, said: "Businesses from all over the UK have answered our call rapidly to meet the challenges we face today and in the future through the power of innovation.

"The ideas we have seen can truly make a significant impact on society, improve the lives of individuals, especially those in vulnerable groups and enable businesses to prosper in challenging circumstances."

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