BU Pre-Spin-Out ‘Group Works’ Secures Prestigious UKRI Proof of Concept Grant

The development of a potential spin-out company looking at rehabilitation services and programmes has received funding to deliver a proof of concept.

Bournemouth University’s (BU) pre-spin-out team Group Works, led by Professors Tim Rees and Tom Wainwright, has been awarded a highly competitive UKRI Proof of Concept grant to accelerate the development and commercialisation of its innovative rehabilitation programmes and services. Selected from over 2,800 initial expressions of interest, Group Works is one of just 48 successful bids chosen from UK universities—part of UKRI’s new £9 million initiative to transform cutting-edge research into high-impact businesses.

The funding will enable Group Works to refine its market offering and prepare for spin-out, with the potential to revolutionise rehabilitation services across the NHS and beyond—making them more efficient, effective, and patient-centred.

Lesley Hutchins, BU’s Commercialisation and Business Development Manager at BU, said, “I am really delighted that Group Works was successful in this funding competition as it will support the team to get their programmes and services market-ready, underpinning the launch of their spin-out. This is the second pre-spin-out team to secure critical early-stage funding of over £100K in the last quarter, reflecting the strength of BU’s research-driven spin-out pipeline.”

The UKRI-funded projects align with the UK Government’s modern industrial strategy, supporting sectors that will drive future growth and create high-quality jobs—including medicine, space science, environmental innovation, and AI.

Prof Tim Rees, Project Lead for the project, said, “I’m excited that UKRI recognised the potential of Group Works. This funding gives us the opportunity to turn years of research into something tangible that will help rehabilitation professionals design and deliver effective group exercise for people living with chronic conditions. With UKRI’s support, we can move from evidence to implementation, delivering real social return through healthier communities and more sustainable services — across the NHS and beyond.”

Project Co-Lead Prof Tom Wainwright said, “Group Works is unique in the way it brings evidence-based rehabilitation into a scalable, group-based model. This award will allow us to refine the programme, work closely with clinicians, professionals, and participants, and prepare the business for wider rollout. The long-term prize is improving health outcomes while helping systems and providers deliver more efficient, cost-effective services across both public and private sectors.”

For more information into BU’s research into rehabilitation, visit the BU website.