Innovate UK BridgeAI Webinar

Too many AI pilots never make it to production. For UK organisations the challenge is about how to effectively scale solutions in real-world environments, especially when considering high impact, operationally critical AI deployments.

Bridging the gap between innovation and deployment is vital for unlocking greater value, reducing risk, and maintaining competitive advantage.

Following the Innovate UK BridgeAI competition launch and collaboration event, this webinar is designed specifically for AI SMEs seeking to understand how existing AI solutions can be successfully deployed within operational environments. The session will explore how innovators can align their capabilities with real industry needs, understand deployment requirements, build the right partnerships, and prepare for potential participation in the upcoming BridgeAI Deployment Catalyst opportunity.

This webinar is aimed at AI innovators with existing solutions who are looking to move beyond pilot projects and into operational deployment. The session will focus on helping organisations understand what is required to successfully develop innovative AI use cases that can address real-world operational challenges.

The competition is intended to support first-of-a-kind, large-scale deployment of AI solutions across the Industrial Strategy sectors.

This workshop will cover:

• Understanding deployer needs and operational environments
• Demonstrating the maturity and relevance of an existing solution
• Identifying what would be required to adapt and deploy that solution
• Assurance, integration and evidence requirements

The session will also explore what effective collaboration looks like in practice. The most competitive proposals are built on strong partnerships between AI innovators and industry adopters, combining technical capability with real operational need.

If you are an innovator developing AI solutions this webinar will help you take the next step with confidence.

• Find out about key dates and milestones and how to prepare, with guidance on the application and assessment process, along with how to submit a strong proposal.
• Learn about the Phase 1 funding opportunity supporting high-potential AI companies and industry partners to collaborate on developing and deploying scalable AI solutions.
• Gain insight into the programme scope and eligibility criteria and understand how to prepare for the competition as a collaborative organisation

This webinar is designed for:

• AI SMEs with existing solutions that have undergone limited piloting, but where assurance, regulatory, or adoption barriers are preventing large-scale commercial deployment.

For any scope, eligibility, or application-related queries, please contact [email protected].

Please note that Innovate UK are holding a dedicated competition briefing event which aims to walk attendees through the application process and answer any queries about the competition.

Online briefing event

11:00am on 27 October 2026

Registration link

11:00 – Welcome and introduction
Overview of the session

11:05 – From pilot to production: the AI scaling challenge
Exploring common barriers to deployment and the opportunity for UK organisations

11:15 – Introducing the next BridgeAI competition
Programme overview

11:20 – Building a strong application and partnership
Exploring a case study of what partnership success looks like, and how to prepare a competitive application

11:45 – Q&A

12:00 – Close