Renaissance Philanthropy and ARIA Partner to Supercharge UK Innovation

The collaboration will leverage Renaissance’s work to raise the ambition of scientists, innovators, and philanthropists to drive breakthroughs across the UK’s R&D ecosystem.

LONDON, UK, October 9, 2024 – Today, Renaissance Philanthropy is announcing a partnership with Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA), the UK government agency tasked with funding high-risk, high-reward research to unlock scientific and technological breakthroughs. The collaboration aims to leverage Renaissance’s expertise to support ARIA’s efforts to find the most promising technical ideas and translate them to breakthrough solutions and products.

“By working with ARIA, we have the opportunity to identify frontier experts, nurture scientific entrepreneurship, and create ambitious, multi-sector collaborations that will help to shape the future of UK innovation,” said Tom Kalil, CEO of Renaissance Philanthropy. “I hope our work together can serve as both inspiration and proof point for how to nurture a thriving science and tech ecosystem.

We are excited to have Renaissance Philanthropy as part of our founding cohort of Activation Partners,” said Ilan Gur, CEO of ARIA. “Their work could not be more aligned with ARIA’s mission to empower scientists with the resources, mindset, and connectivity they’ll need to change the world.”

As an ARIA Activation Partner, Renaissance Philanthropy will launch a new ‘UK Horizons Programme' to supercharge the UK’s R&D ecosystem. The new programme will serve as a force multiplier for ARIA’s opportunity spaces by expanding the diversity of science translation mechanisms in the UK ecosystem, attracting flexible and patient capital for scientists, and building research translation strategies. Renaissance Philanthropy will work with ARIA across multiple phases to implement high-impact initiatives and programs, including:

• Building a Network of UK Technical Talent
  Renaissance Philanthropy will help nurture a network of technical talent from across the UK that will be exposed to the “creator mindset” early and provided with opportunities for network-building, collaboration, and institutional innovation.

• Convening Horizon Scanning Study Groups
  Renaissance Philanthropy will convene top researchers to identify emerging high-value research areas across ARIA's current and emerging opportunity spaces. These horizon scans will provide valuable insights for governments, philanthropists, and agencies looking to support UK innovation.

• Launching an Accelerator for Research Programme Leaders
  Renaissance Philanthropy will run an accelerator to source and prepare talented new research programme leaders. The accelerator will support the development and launch of more ambitious, coordinated research programmes that aim to tackle pressing global challenges from within and outside of government.

• Creating Coalitions of Science and Technology Funders
  Renaissance Philanthropy will work to convene funders interested in increasing the ambition and impact of the UK’s world-class scientific talent and R&D ecosystem. These coalitions will be composed of philanthropists, foundations, and international government agencies.

• Developing Multi-Sector Coalitions
  Renaissance Philanthropy will work to develop coalitions of forward-looking civil society, industry, academia, government, and philanthropic actors to increase the long-term impact of ARIA’s “opportunity spaces."

About Renaissance Philanthropy
Renaissance Philanthropy is a nonprofit organization with a mission to fuel a 21st-century renaissance by increasing the ambition of philanthropists, scientists, and innovators. Renaissance Philanthropy advises philanthropists, surfaces breakthrough ideas, and incubates ambitious initiatives.

About ARIA
ARIA (Advanced Research & Invention Agency) is a UK government agency established to fund high-risk, high-reward research projects that have the potential to unlock groundbreaking technological advancements. ARIA’s Programme Directors have unparalleled independence to design and lead innovative R&D programmes with the potential for massive global impact.

Contact: media@renphil.org