Certified Trade Mark Scheme

View of the Atrium at City campus from above.

The Certified Trade Mark Scheme for Innovation Hubs, Labs or Centres is ideal for an organisation that has an Innovation Hub, Lab or Centre that is used to train and develop its own staff, clients and supply chain in innovation capability.

The organisation can use this Certified Trade Mark to demonstrate the level of innovation competency it has, allowing its clients, suppliers and internal staff to recognise its ability in innovation training, development and assessment.

Why should I apply?

Achieving the Certified Innovation Centre, Hub or Lab status helps your organisation to gain:

  • Visible recognition by a UK Professional Body aligned to International Standards.
  • Validation of how robust your innovation systems, processes, culture and engagements are.
  • A competitive advantage and attractiveness through differentiation of a Certified status.
  • Enhanced innovation capability readiness and increased innovation maturity level.
  • Better ecosystem (students, staff, employers, partners) and stakeholder commitments and collaborations.
  • Insights into the wider innovation Training, Development and Assessment space.

The Certification Process

The certification process consists of the following two stages:

Stage 1: Application Process

When you are ready to apply, you will need to complete the Application Form provided by the IKE Institute.

The form requires the organisation to satisfy the four characteristics needed by the Certification Scheme. The form is split into a ‘Support Statement’ and ‘List of Evidence’ – all focused on meeting the following four characteristics:

  • Innovative Capability (20 points).
  • Empowered Innovation Environment Capability (20 points).
  • Collaborative Networking and Ecosystem Capability (15 points).
  • Market Trends and Customer Analysis Capability (15 points).
  • Completion of the Form contributes 70% of the application process.

For each of the four characteristics, the form identifies the sections that need to be completed by both the applying organisation and the Institute's Assessment Panel. The Form also provides guidance on the Type of Evidence expected in the submission to support the application for entry into the Certified Mark scheme.

Stage 2: Validation Visit by the IKE Institute Panel of Advisors

The validation visit takes place at the organisation. The organisation would be expected to give a presentation covering the four characteristics. The visit would include a tour around the facility (Centre, Hub or Lab), with demonstrations by the applying organisation and part taking in a Question and Answer session by the IKE Institute Advisors.

Completion of the Validation Visit contributes 30% of the application process.

The IKE Institute Panel would then provide a final score.

The minimum threshold to join the Certified Mark Scheme is 60 points.

Annual Review Process

For a member organisation wishing to maintain its membership in the Certified Mark Scheme, they will be required to undergo an annual review at or before the anniversary of them being admitted to the scheme. An annual review will be conducted by a panel from the IKE Institute.

Further Information