About us

Nesta is an independent charity with a mission to help people and organisations bring great ideas to life.

We do this by providing investments and grants and mobilising research, networks and skills.

Nesta doesn’t work alone. We rely on the strength of the partnerships we form with other innovators, community organisations, educators and investors too.

We’re in the very lucky position of gaining greater independence and freedom at a time when many organisations face severe constraints.

We hope that we can work with you to help bring your idea to life.

We are a charity registered in England and Wales with charity no. 1144091 and in Scotland with no. SC042833. Our full company name is “Nesta Operating Company”. Read more about our charitable objects.

We are also the trustee of the Nesta Trust, a charitable trust registered in England and Wales with charity number 1144683. The National Lottery endowment of NESTA was transferred to the Nesta Trust after Nesta became an independent charity on 1 April 2012. Return from the Nesta Trust is used by Nesta to pursue the charitable objects of the Nesta Trust, which are very similar to those of Nesta. The Nesta Trust has a Protector appointed by Government to oversee the administration of the Trust. Read the charitable objects of the Trust here.

Nesta Trust, 1 Plough Place, London EC4A 1DE. A charity registered in England and Wales with no. 1144683

We can provide a copy of Nesta’s Articles of Association and the Trust Deed establishing the Nesta Trust on request.

Find out where we work

Read our latest thinking in our blogs

Latest publications

Co-production catalogue
This catalogue brings together some inspiring examples of collaborative public services in action, with a particular focus on health and social care.
—Read more about Co-production catalogue

The Art of Exit
April 2012
This research report looks at the context, drivers and approaches for more creative decommissioning in public services.
—Read more about The Art of Exit

Here and Now: UK hyperlocal media today
March 2012
This review offers an insight into the diverse, creative and emerging sector of hyperlocal media
—Read more

Neighbourhood Challenge: Learning from innovative communities
January 2012
This paper presents observations, drawing on evidence from the people that are funding, delivering and supporting the 17 Neighbourhood Challenge projects.
—Read more

An analysis of applications for the Digital R&D Fund for Arts and Culture
December 2011
This paper features descriptive analysis of the applications made to the Digital R&D Fund for Arts and Culture
—Read more

Beyond the Banks: The case for a British Industry and Enterprise Bond
November 2011
This research summary draws on the insights of entrepreneurial businesses to make the case for specific kinds of credit easing measures to be introduced.
—Read more

Barriers to growth
November 2011
This research summary paper features the views of high-growth and potential high-growth businesses
—Read more about Barriers to growth

Prototyping in Public Services
November 2011
A guide to prototyping for policymakers, strategy leads, heads of service, commissioners and anyone else in a public service looking for new ways to better meet the needs of their communities
—Read more about Prototyping in Public Services

Using Evidence to Improve social policy and practice
October 2011
As part of our work on the Alliance for Useful Evidence, this collection of essays details the work that is underway on the cutting edge of evidence and its uses
—Read more

Mind over matter, Will computers enhance or limit our brains in the 21st century?
October 2011
This paper draws together some of the key ideas covered during the Hot Topics event Mind over matter: Will computers enhance or limit our brains in the 21st century?
—Read more

Innovation in Public Sector Organisations
March 2011
This report presents the findings from our pilot project developing a survey tool for measuring innovation in the public sector.
—Read more

Understanding the demand for and supply of social finance
April 2011
This report aims to set out the nature of current and future demand for capital from social finance intermediaries and to develop an understanding of the mix of financing the Big Society Bank will need to support.
—Read more

Evidence for Social Policy and Practice
April 2011
Perspectives on how research and evidence can influence decision making in public services
—Read more

Creating Innovation in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
May 2011
This working paper looks at the short-term impact of the Creative Credits pilot scheme which operated in the Manchester City Region in the North West of England from September 2009 to September 2010.
—Read more

Compendium for the Civic Economy
May 2011
Presenting 25 case studies of the civic economy - rooted in age-old traditions of the associational economy but using new organising tactics, ways of connecting with people and approaches to collaborative investment.
—Read more about Compendium for the Civic Economy

Making the transition to collaborative innovation
May 2011
This business briefing outlines four models of progressively collaborative innovation among firms.
—Read more

Atlantic Drift
June 2011
This report sheds light on the magnitude of the performance gap between US and UK venture capital funds, its evolution over time, and what the likely drivers of the performance differences are
—Read more about Atlantic Drift

The Startup Factories
June 2011
This report looks at the rise of startup accelerator programmes in supporting new technology ventures
—Read more about The Startup Factories

NT Live
June 2011
Learning, insights and resources from the pilot season of the successful NT Live programme
—Read more about NT Live

Introducing the Neighbourhood Challenge: Seventeen stories begin
August 2011
This paper details the community led innovation plans of each of the Neighbourhood Challenge projects
—Read more