what MyPrintPod took from the Oxford Innovation defence SME roundtable
MyPrintPod joined an Oxford Innovation Advice defence roundtable to discuss how innovative SMEs can engage with the UK defence sector.
on Monday 23 March 2026, myprintpod joined an Oxford Innovation Advice defence roundtable focused on how innovative SMEs can engage with the UK defence sector.
the session brought together small businesses, advisers and defence-sector voices to discuss what the changing defence landscape means for companies trying to bring practical innovation into complex supply chains.
for myprintpod, this matters because additive manufacturing can support defence-adjacent requirements in a very practical way: rapid prototyping, low-volume production, fixtures, enclosures, tooling, replacement parts and design iteration where speed and flexibility matter.
why this matters to myprintpod
myprintpod works with customers who need functional parts, not just printed objects.
that can include:
- early concept models
- test rigs and validation parts
- small batch production
- custom enclosures and fixtures
- design for additive manufacturing
- localised production using lower-impact materials
many of these capabilities are relevant to defence and security supply chains, but entering that market is not simple.
the roundtable was useful because it focused on the practical route to market, not just the opportunity.
the opportunity for SMEs
increased defence spending and a stronger commitment from the UK Ministry of Defence to work with SMEs creates a clear opportunity.
initiatives such as the Defence and Security Accelerator and the Office for Small Business Innovation are helping to improve how smaller companies engage with defence.
but opportunity does not remove complexity.
for SMEs, the important question is: what exactly are you offering?
there is a major difference between:
- a fully developed product ready for procurement
- a technical capability that needs a partner
- a prototype that needs validation
- a manufacturing process that supports another supplier
each route has a different sales cycle, risk profile and evidence requirement.
positioning matters
one of the clearest themes from the roundtable was positioning.
the Ministry of Defence can be a complex customer. procurement processes are demanding, timelines can be long and requirements need careful handling.
for companies like myprintpod, that means being clear about where additive manufacturing creates value.
the strongest opportunities may not always be direct sales into the MOD. in many cases, the better route may be through:
- established lower-tier suppliers
- engineering partners
- prime contractor supply chains
- specialist product teams
- innovation programmes that need fast physical development
this is especially relevant where the requirement is not a finished product, but a practical way to prototype, test, adapt or manufacture parts in low volumes.
frameworks and the cost of access
the discussion also covered frameworks.
for SMEs, frameworks can be valuable, but they are not free in time, cost or effort. securing a place does not guarantee work, and the resource needed to participate can be significant.
this is a familiar issue for small businesses. the route into a market needs to be realistic.
for myprintpod, that reinforces the importance of choosing the right entry point: direct customer, partner, supplier, prototype developer or manufacturing support.
partnerships are critical
there was strong agreement that partnerships matter.
working with primes is often seen as the obvious route, but for many smaller businesses it may not be the most practical first step.
collaborating with established lower-tier suppliers can give SMEs a clearer route to traction. those suppliers often understand the customer, the standards, the documentation and the delivery expectations.
for myprintpod, this fits well with the way we already work: supporting customers with practical design input, fast iteration and production-ready parts where additive manufacturing is the right tool.
what myprintpod took away
the roundtable reinforced five points for us:
- defence innovation needs practical routes to market
- SMEs must be clear about whether they are offering a product, a capability or a development service
- additive manufacturing has a useful role in prototyping, tooling and low-volume production
- partnerships may be more effective than trying to sell directly too early
- procurement access needs to be proportionate for smaller businesses
the defence sector can benefit from SME innovation, but only if the engagement model is realistic.
thank you
thank you to Oxford Innovation Advice for hosting the discussion, and to James Watson from Make UK Defence for the open and practical conversation.
thanks also to Rocky Moore and Catherine Bray from Oxford Innovation Advice, Wendy Tindsley and Rob Nicoll of Grassroots Oxford Innovation Space, and the SMEs who joined the session.
myprintpod was pleased to be part of the discussion and to contribute a manufacturing SME perspective.
working with myprintpod
if you are developing a product, test rig, enclosure, fixture or low-volume part requirement, we can help assess whether additive manufacturing is the right route.