A Yorkshire company which helps manufacturers improve engineering productivity has been selected as a technology partner for Innovation for Action’s Growth Challenge for a second consecutive year.
By Chris Burn
Published 22nd Oct 2026, 14:01 BST
Updated 22nd Oct 2026, 14:01 BST
NexCAD, which develops AI-powered engineering design verification software, is joining a programme run by Business Sheffield in partnership with South Yorkshire Innovation Programme (SYIP) to tackle real operational challenges through supported technology trials.
NexCAD’s inclusion follows successful deployments with three local manufacturers during last year’s programme.
Richard Bland, Innovation Growth Advisor for Business Sheffield, said: "Manufacturers across South Yorkshire tell us the same thing: they want to use AI, but they want to see it working on their own jobs before they commit. That’s what this programme makes possible.
"NexCAD’s return for a second year reflects the value manufacturers found in testing their technology on live work last year.”
Uzair Syed, founder and CEO of NexCAD, said: “Engineering teams spend a huge amount of time checking drawings before they can be released to manufacturing. It is an important process, but much of that work is still manual.
“Last year gave us the opportunity to work closely with South Yorkshire manufacturers and show how AI can support engineers by making drawing verification faster, more consistent and easier to trace.
“Being selected for a second year gives us the chance to build on that work and help more manufacturers improve engineering productivity without changing the way their teams fundamentally work.”