About us

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.

Arrow icon green [original]Find out where we work

Arrow icon light blue [original]Read our latest thinking in our blogs

Latest publications

Image of Hot Topics FoodplusTech - The next sustainability 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
—Read more about Food(plus)Tech - The next sustainability challenge

Image of Beyond the Banks report cover 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

Image of Incubation for Growth report cover 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

Image of Financing Industrial Biotechnology report cover 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.
—Read more about Financing Industrial Biotechnology in the UK

Where does Nesta work?

Where NESTA works small side [original]

Click here to find out where we work

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Bringing great ideas to life

Arrow icon green [original]Download the publication outlining our aims now that we are an independent charitable foundation