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iX Challenge: Smart control solutions for domestic hybrid heating systems

The iX Challenge is a competition for start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses across the United Kingdom to develop smart control solutions for domestic hybrid heating systems. Open, closes 1 December 2026.

Run by Innovate UK · funded by Cadent

Checked against the official page (ktninnovationexchange.co.uk) on 29 Oct 2026.

Cadent and Innovate UK seek smart control solutions that help domestic hybrid heating systems choose the most efficient and cost-effective heating source. Successful applicants are invited to pitch to Cadent.

Apply or find out more Official page

These details are gathered from public web pages and are not financial advice. Check them with Innovate UK before you apply.

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Status and deadline

Status

Open

Confirmed on the official page

Deadline

Closes 1 December 2026 at midnight (30 days)

As stated: Opens: 20/10/2026 Closes: 01/12/2026 11:59pm

Confirmed on the official page

How much

Not stated

We could not find how much it offers

Who can apply

Established businesses, academic institutions, start-ups, SMEs, or individual entrepreneurs that are UK based or have the intention to set up a UK base can enter.

Confirmed on the official page

Business size

Start-ups, Micro (under 10 staff), Small (10 to 49 staff), Medium (50 to 249 staff)

Confirmed on the official page

Sectors

digital, electronics, energy, infrastructure, robotics & ai, sensors, sustainability

Could your business apply?

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How to apply

Complete the application form on the Innovation Exchange challenge page, answering company information and three 300-word questions (Idea Summary, Technology Readiness and Intellectual Property).

Not confirmed on the official page

Where it is open: UK-wide

United Kingdom

Confirmed on the official page

HartlepoolMiddlesbroughRedcar and ClevelandStockton-on-TeesDarlingtonHaltonWarringtonBlackburn with DarwenBlackpoolKingston upon Hull, City ofEast Riding of YorkshireNorth East LincolnshireNorth LincolnshireYorkCounty DurhamCheshire EastCheshire West and ChesterNorthumberlandCumberlandWestmorland and FurnessNorth YorkshireBurnleyChorleyFyldeHyndburnLancasterPendlePrestonRibble ValleyRossendaleSouth RibbleWest LancashireWyreBoltonBuryManchesterOldhamRochdaleSalfordStockportTamesideTraffordWiganKnowsleyLiverpoolSt. HelensSeftonWirralDoncasterRotherhamNewcastle upon TyneNorth TynesideSouth TynesideSunderlandBradfordCalderdaleKirkleesLeedsWakefieldGatesheadBarnsleySheffield

Open across United Kingdom, so every council area in the North of England is shaded.

Drawn from the areas the funder names. If a scheme is only for part of a council area, check its own page. Boundaries from the Office for National Statistics.

Things we could not confirm

  • Award is an invitation to pitch to Cadent, with possible technical engagement, UK trial development and future innovation activity; no cash prize stated.
  • Opening date 20/10/2026 is shown as upcoming relative to today (29 October 2026) but the page status text says the competition was launched; check whether applications are open.
  • Application form is hosted on Innovation Exchange; its own rules may apply.
  • Page says applicants should use Google Chrome for the form.

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Source and last checked

Local Landscape gathers this information automatically from the pages below, then checks the key details against the official page. Checked against the official page (ktninnovationexchange.co.uk) on 29 Oct 2026. Its details last changed on 29 Oct 2026. No person has checked it, so confirm the details with Innovate UK before you apply.

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