Get to know us

Who or what is Skuma?

Skuma Innovation is based near Scunthorpe, in North Lincolnshire. The name of the town, which has Viking origins, derives from "Skuma's Place". Details of the Viking Skuma have been lost to history but their name lives on via Skuma Innovation!

Origins

Skuma Innovation are passionate about innovation. Real-world innovation. Innovation that changes things, makes existing things better and creates new things.

Without innovation, businesses stand still. If you're standing still while your competitors are innovating, you're actually falling behind.

Having undertaken technical innovation roles both in industry and academia, the current barriers to industrial innovation are clear. Not enough resource, be that money or people power, and too many other priorities in the near term. Specialist innovation expertise can be hard to find locally too.

Skuma Innovation was set up in recognition of all of this. By providing cost-effective access to innovation expertise, be that knowledge of the funding landscape or actual project delivery resource, Skuma Innovation can plug the innovation gap in your business and help you keep ahead.

Innovation Expertise

Funding

We have a wealth of experience in identifying relevant funding opportunities for industry via Innovate UK and other funding mechanisms (e.g. Ofwat, dstl etc.). With our contacts within InnovateUK and other funding bodies we can help you build innovation consortia using our vast knowledge of the current academic and industrial landscapes.

Technical Feasibility

From initial diagnostic discussions through to fully-scoped out techno-economic assessments, we help businesses understand the state of the art and the art of the possible. We also provide hand-on support to help businesses with innovation decision-making to help them take their next steps towards future growth.

Project Delivery

We have a proven track record of successful technical industrial project delivery which we can import to your business. From developing top level project work packages through and detailed project GANTT charts through to managing resources and disseminating findings to key stakeholders, we can cover the full project delivery life-cycle for your business.

Networking/ Signposting

With extensive contacts across the public and private sectors, both across the Humberside and Lincolnshire region and beyond, we are well-positioned to create new collaborations and forge strong partnerships. Whether it's building a consortium for innovation funding or identifying a specialist industrial capability, we've got the contacts to make things happen.

Dr Nick Riess FIMMM

Skuma Innovation Founder

Nick is an industrial innovation specialist with over 20 years of experience in applied industrial research, analytical science, and materials innovation. His industry background is truly varied having worked in industries as diverse as steelmaking through to medical devices, and most things in between.

He has a long track record in successful project delivery having delivered dozens of projects, from keeping production lines running in the face of supplier force majeures through to developing novel sustainable replacements for fossil fuel-derived materials.

During a decade working at the University of Lincoln he co-founded the Bridge Advanced Materials Materials and Engineering R&D Centre in Lincoln, working with public and private sector organisations to deliver economic growth via materials innovation in the local region and beyond.

With experience spanning industrial R&D, materials analysis, product development, cross-sector collaboration, and leadership training, Nick brings a combination of scientific depth, practical industry knowledge, and strategic insight to enhance industry–academia partnerships and to develop and characterise novel advanced materials.

Alongside a PhD in biogeochemistry he is a fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, awarded in recognition of services to materials innovation in industry. He is also currently working towards chartered manager status with the Chartered Management Institute.

nriess@skuma.co.uk