About Nesta

Nesta is an innovation foundation. For us, innovation means turning bold ideas into reality and changing lives for the better. We use our expertise, skills and funding in areas where there are big challenges facing society.

Charitable objects of Nesta

Registered as a charity in England and Wales, no. 1144091
Registered as a charity in Scotland, no. SC042833

For the public benefit -

1. To advance education, and in particular the study of innovation, by the promotion of research and the publication of the useful results thereof, in:

  • science and technology
  • the arts
  • the efficiency of public services
  • the voluntary sector and social enterprise
  • industry and commerce

2. To advance:

  • science and technology
  • the arts
  • the efficiency of public services
  • the voluntary sector
  • industry and commerce and social enterprise which
    • relieves poverty
    • relieves unemployment 
    • advances health
    • advances environmental protection or improvement and sustainable development
    • advances citizenship or community development

through or by encouraging and supporting innovation.

The voluntary sector means charities and voluntary organisations.

  • Charities are organisations which are established for exclusively charitable purposes in accordance with the law of England and Wales.
  • Voluntary organisations are independent organisations, which are established for purposes that add value to the community as a whole, or a significant section of the community, and which are not permitted by their constitution to make a profit for private distribution. Voluntary organisations do not include local government or other statutory authorities.

Sustainable development means “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

Objects of Nesta
The above objects are the objects of the Nesta Trust. Nesta has the same objects but with the addition of:


3. To advance any other purpose which is recognised as exclusively charitable under the laws of England and Wales and Scotland.