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.

If you have a complaint about Nesta, please read our Complaints Process here.

Find out where we work

Read our latest thinking in our blogs

Latest publications

Introducing the Neighbourhood Challenge: Seventeen stories begin
August 2011
This paper details the community led innovation plans of each of the Neighbourhood Challenge projects
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Food(plus)Tech - The next sustainability challenge
September 2011
This report draws together some of the key ideas covered during the Hot Topics event Food(plus)Tech - The next sustainability challenge
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Beyond the Banks
September 2011
This report explores access to finance for SMEs and includes short profiles of businesses that are working in innovative ways to channel credit to the small business market
—Read more about Beyond the Banks

Incubation for Growth
September 2011
This report is a review of the impact of business incubation on new ventures with high growth potential
—Read more about Incubation for Growth

Financing Industrial Biotechnology in the UK
October 2011
This report looks at the state of financing in the UK’s Industrial Biotechnology sector suggests ways in which early-stage and growth funding might be improved.
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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?
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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
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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

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

Co-production catalogue
May 2012
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

Crossing the River by Feeling for Stones
June 2012
This paper shows how the UK's creative industries can fare better in China by using social networks.
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Financial Planners as Catalysts for Social Investment
June 2012
This report provides evidence of why and how financial planners can help build the social investment market in the UK.
—Read more

Getting ready for radical efficiency
June 2012
This booklet is grounded in the evidence we have generated to show that the radical efficiency framework can help generate much better outcomes for users.
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The Venture Crowd
July 2012
This report looks at equity crowdfunding, where individuals receive small stakes in a privately owned young business in return for investment.
—Read more about The Venture Crowd