favourite achievements.
1. Helping our clients succeed
In total, our clients have raised over 2 million pounds through crowdfunding and almost a quarter million pounds of investment on Dragon's Den. Their products have sold in Harrods, Fenwick, Amazon and more.
2. Helping the next generation of entrepreneurs
Our team helped write and deliver the product design module for the UK's number one Innovation & Entrepreneurship Masters degree at the University of Warwick.
3. Helping BBC The Apprentice
We supported The Apprentice candidates on three series of BBC The Apprentice, helping candidates produce working prototypes of app-connected toothbrushes, augmented reality games, packaging and motion capture animations. All prototypes were turned around in less than a day.
4. Exporting British design services globally
We have exported over a million pounds of British design services around the world. Our team in Paris supports our European clients while our US clients are supported from our Florida office.
5. Helping inventors for over 20 years
Only 10% of businesses are over 20 years old and we are grateful to have reached 20 stronger than ever. We think listening to our clients and continually improving our services are the values that helped us get here.
our facilities.
Large workshop
- CNC laser cutter
- CNC milling machine
- Metal and wood fabrication equipment
- Electronics lab
Fabric studio
- Large cut and sew space
- Professional sewing machines
- Wide selection of fabrics
- Wide haberdashery selection
3D print lab
- Form3 SLA 3D printer
- Anycubic large format SLA 3D printer
- 4 Bambu multi material FDM 3D printers
- 2 SLA wash and cure stations
Design space
- In person meeting rooms
- Video meeting rooms
- Design workstations
- Sketching tablets
meet the team.
Alastair Swanwick
Founder, Chairman
Alastair founded Innovate in 2001 and spent the next 20 years growing Innovate to become the place to develop new product ideas. He is a founding member of the California Invention Centre, a member of Design Innovation Plastics Student Awards Organising Committee, a fellow of Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce and was a co-presenter of BBC Knowledge ‘Science Fix’ show.
In 2021 Alastair became Chairman and now uses his extensive business knowledge to develop Innovate's business support services.
Barbara Bouffard
Co-MD, Head of Operations
Barbara Bouffard is Co-Managing Director at Innovate Design, a company that she initially founded 20 years ago with her husband Alastair to support inventors to bring their ideas to commercial reality. Before earning a business degree from Bordeaux and an MBA from the University of Bath, Barbara built a strong foundation with a Marketing HND, reflecting her early dedication to strategic communication and consumer engagement.
At Innovate, Barbara organises the design and delivery of automated business systems that ensure Innovate delivers projects on time and at a market-beating price. She also brings her expertise in pay-per-click advertising to the table, leveraging cutting-edge digital marketing strategies to boost visibility and drive impactful results.
James McInerny
Co-MD, Head of Design
James has been developing commercial products since 2007, including helping Richard Browning build early prototypes for his “Gravity Industries” jet suit project.
At Innovate, James oversees the development of client projects to ensure every product is developed with the best chance of commercial success. He recently wrote and delivered the Product Design module for Warwick University's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Masters. The UK's no 1 Innovation and Entrepreneurship masters in 2024.
Innovation Coaches
Your idea development guides
Our knowledgeable innovation coaching team help our clients navigate the idea development process. Development can feel complicated but our team are on hand with useful information and support throughout the process.
Designers
Product development experts
Our award-winning team of UK-based designers includes specialists in product design, electronics, engineering, app development, fabric product design, packaging, branding and more. Our broad selection of designers and state-of-the-art facilities enables us to do more in-house and create leading designs on tight budgets.
Researchers
Idea investigators
Our research team covers intellectual property, customer, market and business research. Overseen by a UK patent lawyer and with subscriptions to commercial databases the team can conduct thorough research which can inform the direction of your design and help you commercialise your idea.
our story.
Since 2001, Innovate has been helping inventors and startups to develop product ideas. Find out how we went from one inventor's mission to make it easier for individuals to develop their ideas, to an award-winning design studio exporting British design services to inventors around the world.
Start here
2001
Alastair Swanwick founds Innovate Design
Alastair forms Innovate Design to help inventors and start-ups to develop ideas on tight budgets. It is born of his own experience trying to launch his own product ideas and the frustrating lack of companies able to help inventors like him
2003
Worldwide Patent Search service launches
Innovate launches a Worldwide Patent Search service to help clients complete a thorough search of existing IP before further committing to the project
Lord Sugar recommends Innovate Design
Lord Sugar writes his first recommendation for Innovate Design in his “Spoonful of Sugar” newspaper column
2007
Patent Drafting service launches
Innovate launches a Patent Draft service to provide a cost-effective alternative to existing patent attorneys
2010
Design Studio moves to Endless Street, Salisbury
The company moves into a larger design studio and installs a prototype workshop and test facility
2012
First US office opens
Innovate opens an office in San Francisco to help UK inventors break into the US
2014
Business Innovation Award
Innovate Design wins the Business Innovation Award
2015
First Paris office opens
The Paris office helps Innovate to export UK design to Europe
2017
App services launch
Innovate launches app development services to help inventors and startups create better apps, for less
2021
Innovate celebrates its 20th year
Innovate has grown to over 35 employees exporting exceptional British design services to the US, Europe and around the UK
Innovate appears on The Apprentice
Innovate is asked by the BBC to help apprentice candidates to develop a smart toothbrush and app in less than 15 hours! Innovate’s designers feature in The Sun, The Telegraph and on BBC radio. Alastair presents Lorde Sugar with a toothbrush to thank him for his support over the years
2021
Barbara and James appointed Co-MD roles
Alastair moves to Chairman and appoints Barbara Bouffard and James McInerny as Co-Managing Directors. Barbara and James set out their vision for the future of Innovate with a focus on offering clients enhanced support for finding investment and licensing opportunities
2024
Innovate delivers Product Design module for The University of Warwick
Top 5 business school, The University of Warwick, asked us to create and deliver the product design module for their Innovation and Entrepreneurship masters degree.