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London, UK - 2nd March 2026
Magnetic joins Applio Ventures’ SME Champion Scheme in support of the DBT's PBS growth policy.
Magnetic is a London-headquartered design and innovation consultancy operating across the UK and US, with more than 20 years’ experience delivering transformation programmes for organisations across the private and public sectors. It works with corporates, scale- ups and government bodies to design products, services and ways of working that improve delivery, decision making and long-term performance. As a certified B Corp, Magnetic partners with organisations including HSBC, Google, BBC and Adidas to deliver transformation that balances commercial results with positive social impact.
Supporting Government Objectives for SME GrowthWith digitalisation being a key part of the UK’s broader Industrial Strategy, Magnetic continues to play a key role in accelerating knowledge-share, innovation adoption and digital capability across both the public and private sectors. Working with growth-stage SMEs, public bodies and innovation institutions, Magnetic has a track record of translating new and emerging ideas into practical tools and capabilities that improve productivity, competitiveness and long-term resilience for UK businesses and public sector organisations.
A flagship example is its work for Design for Growth, a national SME coaching programme delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. Developed by Magnetic as a new approach to embedding user-centred design into scaling businesses, the programme provided tailored coaching, workshops and hands-on tools to support SME growth and increase economic and social impact. Magnetic has also partnered with the London Stock Exchange to deliver Launchpad, equipping scale-up leaders with practical innovation techniques to navigate scale-up growth and associated complexities. At a regional level, its work with Greater Manchester Combined Authority on Tech Pass supports digital skills development and future talent pipelines - reinforcing its commitment to future‐proofing and accelerating the digitalisation of organisations across the region and the wider UK.
Magnetic shows what success looks like for aspiring professional services entrepreneurs: a UK‐grown, design‐led challenger that competes internationally, delivers complex work, and stays true to its purpose. It is exactly the kind of innovative, mid‐sized consulting firm the UK’s Professional and Business Services strategy should champion as a model for the next generation of PBS leaders.
Ejaaz Patel, CEO, Applio Ventures
Engaging with Policy-MakersBy connecting high-potential professional-services firms with policy-makers, Applio Ventures’ Champion Scheme provides a platform for innovative UK firms to actively contribute to - and benefit from - national priorities around trade, innovation, and digital-service exports. As an SME Champion, Magnetic will share insights from its global growth journey while contributing to constructive dialogue around how UK SMEs can scale internationally and strengthen policy alignment - in a transparent, collaborative, and forward-looking way.
“Professional services and design play an important role in supporting UK competitiveness. Through the SME Champion Scheme, we look forward to contributing our experiences in people-first AI-capability building as well-as exporting to, help shape the future of the sector.”
Jason DaPonte, Managing Director, Magnetic
About MagneticMagnetic is a design and innovation consultancy that works with governments, corporates and fast‐growing startups to tackle complex, system‐level challenges and design better futures. Magnetic is a certified B Corp and operates across the UK and US.wearemagnetic.com
About Applio VenturesApplio Ventures is a UK-based policy research unit and venture-builder dedicated to advancing the professional-services industry. Through its SME Champion Scheme, it connects growth-minded service firms with policy-makers, promoting the role of UK professional services business development, exports and M&A.applioventures.co.uk
About Applio Ventures' Champion SchemeApplio Ventures’ SME Champion Scheme brings together a small group of high-performing UK-headquartered SME professional services firms to engage directly with policy-makers through content and events. By connecting growth-minded service firms with policy-makers, it aims to support the government’s industrial strategy focus on PBS growth, exports, innovation, and productivity, and pair those goals with SME firms' business development agendas.For enquiries, please contact us via email
