Gateshead-based business owner, Di Gates, founder of Stick Theory, scoops national award for innovation

Di Gates, Founder of collaboration agency Stick Theory, has been selected for a national award from Innovate UK, the UK’s Innovation Agency. 

The prestigious award will support Di in launching Connection Heroes -  an innovative development programme for organisations that want to improve human connections across their hybrid workplaces, in order to drive employee engagement, retention and wellbeing.

Building on the success of Innovate UK’s targeted programmes, like Women in Innovation and Young Innovators, this latest funding is designed to find and support the fresh innovation talent the UK needs.

Di is among the 233 high-potential innovators awarded a £50,000 grant and 12 months of tailored business support.

With 90% of UK employees currently disengaged from their job and 71% looking for a new job this year, Connection Heroes has been designed to address the growing problem of employees disconnecting from work. 

Played as a cohort over 6-12 weeks, the Pilot Programme launches in June. It will combine scenario-based gameplay, micro-learning and facilitated reflection workshops to develop Connection Heroes with the mindset, skillset and toolset to understand and improve human connections across their workplaces.

“ I’ve worked with dozens of organisations since the pandemic, helping them build better connections across their remote and hybrid teams. This funding has allowed me to formalise my framework and build an intuitive digital platform that powers a unique and fun learning and development experience. I’ve had loads of interest already and I can’t wait to start the Pilot Programme in June.”

In line with the UK’s growing appetite for innovation, this new award programme was amongst the most highly engaged funding competitions Innovate UK has ever delivered - with over 2,100 entrepreneurs applying for funding and business mentorship.