Nesta

We are Nesta, the UK’s innovation agency for social good. We design, test and scale solutions to society’s biggest problems. Our three missions are to give every child a fair start, help people live healthy lives, and create a sustainable future where the economy works for both people and the planet. For over 20 years, we have worked to support, encourage and inspire innovation. We work in three roles: as an innovation partner working with frontline organisations to design and test new solutions, as a venture builder supporting new and early stage businesses, and as a system shaper creating the conditions for innovation. Harnessing the rigour of science and the creativity of design, we work relentlessly to change millions of lives for the better. Find out more at nesta.org.uk.

In 2012, Challenge Works (then Nesta Challenges) was established in partnership between Nesta and the UK Government to become a global centre of expertise in the design and delivery of challenge prizes. In the decade since, we have worked with partners across governments, business and civil society internationally to demonstrate challenge prizes’ potential as a powerful method for stimulating breakthrough innovation by mobilising a diversity of innovators. From combating antimicrobial resistance to tackling plastic pollution, we have designed and delivered 80 challenge prizes, worked with more than 12,000 innovator teams and invested £84 million to support the boldest and bravest ideas to become real.

Now we’re ready to do more.