The Agentic AI Pioneers Prize is focused on real-world impact - backing AI innovations that can make a difference in how we design, make and create.
It’s about applying agentic AI - systems that can take initiative, make decisions, and learn in context - to unlock progress in three sectors where the UK has global potential: Advanced Manufacturing, Advanced Materials, and the Creative Industries.
Run by DSIT and Innovate UK, the competition is open to UK-registered businesses of any size. Entrants are invited to put forward practical, high-potential ideas that can address sector-specific challenges. A £1 million prize fund is available to support development and delivery - with a strong focus on solutions that can scale and deliver value.
NCC is leading in support to Innovate UK, delivering this pilot by:
• Hosting expert groups to help define the right challenges
• Mentoring participants as they develop their solutions
• Supporting fair, consistent judging
• Facilitating access to compute infrastructure including Isambard-AI
Winners will be awarded a distinguished prize fund, specifically established to honour and showcase exceptional advancements in agentic AI. This recognition offers significant national exposure, providing a platform for winners to highlight their achievements.
Recipients will benefit from expert mentorship provided by High Value Manufacturing Catapult, Digital Catapult, and leading figures in both AI and their respective sectors.
This is a unique chance for innovators to gain national recognition, build valuable connections with peers, challenge owners, and AI specialists, and help shape the future of AI withing the 3 growth sectors.
What is Agentic AI?
Agentic AI describes systems that can make decisions, take action, and adapt to new information - without waiting for human instructions at every step.
It’s not just about automation. These systems have a defined goal, can work independently, and know when and how to adjust if things change.
Core traits include:
• Autonomy - Can operate without being told what to do at each stage
• Goal focus - Designed to achieve a specific outcome, not just follow steps
• Initiative - Can choose when to act, rather than just react
• Adaptability - Learns and improves with feedback or in changing environments
• Reasoning - Weighs up options and plans the best path to a result
This type of AI is already being explored in engineering design, process control, maintenance, and more - where it can improve speed, quality and consistency.