Tackle mission-critical challenges at speed
Structured sprint techniques to diagnose complex problems, generate options and test them in days rather than months, with teams that face real operational pressure.
Defence and government
Innovation capability across Defence, from unit teams to strategic leadership.
We design and deliver innovation programmes for the UK Ministry of Defence in partnership with UK Defence Innovation and the Defence Academy, and work with government departments and public bodies that need to solve complex problems at pace, with evidence, inside their security requirements.
Why it matters
Innovation as a repeatable skill across the defence ecosystem
Since 2020 we have worked in close partnership with the Ministry of Defence to build innovation capability across ranks and functions, from operational teams to strategic leadership. The programmes equip personnel with proven methods for faster problem-solving, better collaboration and clearer decision-making under pressure.
Delivery is onsite or online, funded through defence learning routes, and always on live challenges from the participants’ own units. Certification is earned through workplace application, so units can see what was applied, not only who attended.
Lead with clarity under pressure
Methods for making decisions faster and better in volatile environments, aligned to mission outcomes and strategic intent.
Build cross-functional teams that act
Structured, bias-aware workshops that cut through noise, connect silos and produce unified action across a unit.
Create change, not just ideas
Capstone projects and workplace application turn training into operating capability within days and weeks.
The Defence pathway
Three programmes, one progression
Innovation Processes builds the tactical toolkit. Innovation Practitioner develops the people who lead sprints and challenge work within their unit. Master Facilitator develops the internal facilitators who carry it on.
Stage 2 · Align
Innovation Processes
2 days
The foundation programme. Two days to learn how to understand users, frame the right challenge, generate options, prototype and test assumptions on a live organisational problem.
- Stakeholder map
- Framed challenge
- Prioritised concepts
- Assumption map
Innovation Practitioner
5 days, delivered as a block or as two modules
Five days to take a live organisational challenge through the full innovation process and convert evidence into a validated solution and an implementation case.
- Evidence-backed challenge definition
- Tested prototype
- Validation results
- Implementation outline
Master Facilitator
3 days plus an assessed capstone
Develop internal facilitators who can independently design and lead innovation workshops, sprints and challenge-led interventions, and who can carry the pathway forward without us.
- Complete intervention design
- Observed facilitation
- Assessor feedback
- Reflective review
Senior sponsors can also take Strategic Innovation Leadership and Portfolio Governance. All programmes are described in full on the Capability Pathways page.
Funding routes
How MoD teams access the programmes
Four routes, depending on whether you are an individual, a unit or a programme lead. We will guide you through whichever applies.
UK Defence Innovation and Defence Academy funded programmes
The core programmes, Innovation Processes and Innovation Practitioner, are funded through UK Defence Innovation and the Defence Academy and available to teams across the Ministry of Defence, onsite or online, at no additional cost to units.
Standard Learning Credits
Supplementary programmes and specialist modules can be accessed using Standard Learning Credits.
Unit-commissioned delivery through the Capita Learning Portal
Bespoke in-unit programmes can be commissioned directly through the Capita LearningPlace catalogue at a discounted rate compared with corporate delivery. Course identifier I5942.1407186496.
Enhanced Learning Credits
For personnel seeking formal accreditation, Level 4-aligned certificates are available through ELCAS funding alongside the practical programme.
Open sessions
Upcoming dates
Introduction to Innovation is a three-hour, hands-on session for MoD personnel: a practical overview of the method used across Defence and a short sprint simulation.
Register your interest through the contact form and name the session. We confirm places by email.
5 October 2026
Register interestIntroduction to Innovation for Defence
Online · 3 hours · Free to all MoD personnel
9 November 2026
Register interestIntroduction to Innovation for Defence
Online · 3 hours · Free to all MoD personnel
17 to 18 November 2026
Register interestInnovation Processes
London, White City · 2 days · Funded through UK Defence Innovation and the Defence Academy
In-unit delivery
Bring the programme to your unit
We deliver tailored programmes directly to MoD units, adapted to the operational context and strategic goals of the unit, including work with the ASTRA innovation programme. Book through the Capita Learning Portal:
- 1Go to the Capita LearningPlace portal and create an account or log in with your MoD credentials.
- 2Enter course identifier I5942.1407186496 in the search bar.
- 3Select the course and follow the steps to register or request delivery for your unit.
- 4If anything is unclear, email grant@innovation-network.co and we will support you through the process.
Alumni community
Stay connected after the course
Certified participants join an alumni community where MoD personnel and innovation professionals share challenges, ask questions and learn from others applying the methods across Defence. All MoD personnel can also access a free Innovation Awareness Bootcamp developed through the jHub Coding Scheme.
Community members hear first about new dates, funding opportunities and events.
Ask about the communityWhat MoD participants say
“One of the best courses I have been on during 17 years in the military.”
“Potentially one of the most beneficial courses I have ever done. I can genuinely see the positive impact this would have if implemented and adopted widely.”
“Often with these things I feel it is a gloss over a novel and difficult subject. This was very enlightening and something I shall use going forward.”
Security and information handling
Working inside your requirements
AI is embedded in the programmes with human ownership of decisions, source checking and information-handling rules. In defence and government settings we work with approved tools and configurations, and with offline methods where classification requires it.
Results
Defence and government case studies
Defence and government
Building innovation capability across UK Defence
UK Ministry of Defence
A structured pathway, funded through UK Defence Innovation and the Defence Academy, that develops innovation practitioners across ranks and functions and turns training into applied work on live defence challenges.
- Roles and pathway
- Innovation Ambassadors and champions in units and headquarters; Innovation Practitioners leading challenge work
- Evidence created
- Framed challenge statements from unit teams, Stakeholder and user maps, Assumption maps and prioritised concepts
- Capability retained
- Certified practitioners and internal facilitators now run sessions within their own units, and an alumni community sustains practice between cohorts. The department can commission programmes for whole units and route people to the right stage of the pathway.
Government
Innovation Ambassadors for a government ministry
A government ministry in the Middle East
A cohort of Innovation Ambassadors trained and coached to break down departmental silos and run structured sprints inside a large national ministry.
- Roles and pathway
- Innovation Ambassadors drawn from across departments; Department heads as sponsors
- Evidence created
- Framed cross-departmental challenges, Sprint outputs and tested prototypes, Facilitated decision sessions
- Capability retained
- The ambassador network remained in place after the engagement, with ambassadors continuing to run sprints and facilitate cross-departmental work.
Discuss a programme for your unit or department
Whether you are scheduling a funded course, commissioning in-unit delivery or building capability across a department, tell us the context and we will guide you through the options and the funding route.