Textile innovators: Join the MRE 2026 Investor Showcase in February 2026
20/11/2025
UK businesses with textile-related material innovations are invited to apply to join the Investor Showcase at Materials Research Exchange 2026 (MRE 2026).
MRE 2026 is an Innovate UK event for advanced materials research and innovation held from 18-20 February at the Business Design Centre in London, featuring an exhibition, investor showcase, and cross-cutting seminars on technology transfer from the UK’s world-class research and frontier technology base.
The Investor Showcase at MRE 2026 held on 20 February offers an opportunity for UK companies to present new materials innovations to an audience of investors with a deep interest in the sector. The session is designed to support businesses progressing toward investment readiness while highlighting emerging opportunities across the materials landscape.
The deadline for expressions of interest is 26 November 2025.
Why take part
Participating companies will be able to introduce their value proposition, gain early engagement from investors and receive constructive guidance that can help shape their investment journey.
Who should apply
The Showcase is open to UK registered companies developing innovations across the materials sectors. Submissions are welcome from both early-stage and growth-focused businesses. This year, the team is particularly interested in innovations linked to:
- Materials for the energy transition, including batteries, renewables, hydrogen and nuclear
- Materials for space and extreme environments
- Solutions that reduce or recover critical materials
- Materials from new feedstocks such as bio-based sources or waste streams
- Enabling hardware technologies that enhance materials production or processing
The event is open to new participants only. Companies that presented at the MRE 2024 Investor Showcase are not eligible to re-apply.
What to expect
The session will combine short elevator pitches with an informal exhibition, encouraging direct conversations between companies and investors. If selected, participants will be asked to bring a roll-up banner to support discussions.
How the process works
To ensure the right match between companies and the investor panel, submissions will be grouped by materials themes and investment stages. Each expression of interest (EOI) will be reviewed by the Innovate UK Business Connect Materials and Manufacturing Team and the Investment Team. A portfolio approach will be used to build a balanced programme, with an emphasis on representation across technologies, sectors and business backgrounds.
If your EOI is accepted, you will be notified and invited to a pre-event briefing to help you prepare for the Showcase.
Key dates
- Event: 20 February 2026, Business Design Centre, London
- EOI deadline: 26 November 2025