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Innovate Britain is a non-profit organisation that supports the world's finest innovators to build viable and scalable businesses in the UK.
Drawing on years of collective experience in supporting UK entrepreneurs, our mission is to channel innovation into the UK economy by working with international entrepreneurs who hold experience in vital sectors such as Education, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Consumer and Infrastructure.
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Where it all began
in-
-novus
Innovation in its current form stems from two Latin words: 'in' and 'novus'. This translates as 'into new', suggesting renewal or change.
Where it all began
Death to innovators
In the 16th Century, being labelled as an innovator carried the death sentence.
At this time, the word held hugely negative connotations. It was associated with undesirable changes, such as the rewriting of religious texts, an activity outlawed by the Church and monarchs seeking to maintain influence over the masses.
Shouts of 'innovator!' were used to accuse of plotting and heresy. Those tried as innovators were often burnt at the stake.
Death to innovators
The word begins to change
The word begins to change
At the turn of the Industrial Revolution in the 18th Century, the meaning of 'innovation' began to change.
With the advent of mechanisation and rapidly improving life expectancies, innovation began to become associated with the invention of new devices and methods that were changing lives for the better.
New attitude from govt
New attitudes from Government
As economic growth accelerated, the UK Government began to emphasise research labs and patents as a source of economic advantage.
Now seen as developers to the nation, innovators became praised as positive contributors to society. Change, once deemed frightening, began to be seen as exciting.
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