Supplierverse AI has launched a new AI-powered tender bidding platform designed to help SMEs discover, manage, and compete for public sector contracts more effectively.
The platform builds on an Innovate UK funded research and development project focused on improving SME access to procurement opportunities and reducing barriers within the tendering process. The project was developed in collaboration with Brunel University of London, where researchers from Brunel Business School supported the research, innovation, and prototype development activities.
The Supplierverse platform was shaped through extensive engagement with SMEs, suppliers, and industry stakeholders across multiple sectors. Through surveys, interviews, and stakeholder discussions, businesses consistently highlighted challenges including fragmented tender discovery processes, complex bidding requirements, limited visibility of opportunities, and the administrative burden associated with procurement systems.
These insights informed the development of Supplierverse as a platform designed around the real operational challenges SMEs face when competing for contracts.
Today, Supplierverse supports businesses throughout the tendering journey by helping users identify relevant opportunities, manage bidding workflows, monitor deadlines, and improve submission readiness through AI-supported insights.
Key platform features include:
- Identifying highly relevant tender opportunities
- Reducing time spent searching across multiple procurement portals
- Monitoring tender progress, deadlines, and workflow tasks
- Automatically generating company profiles to reduce manual administration
- Highlighting missing requirements within tender submissions
- Providing AI-assisted insights to strengthen bidding readiness
- Offering Supplierverse AI Assistant support for tender-related questions and guidance
Built around real SME challenges
Supplierverse evolved directly from conversations with SMEs and suppliers about the barriers they face when trying to access public sector procurement opportunities.
Research findings identified several recurring challenges, including:
- Difficulty locating relevant opportunities
- Complex and time-consuming bidding processes
- Administrative burdens associated with registering across multiple portals
- Strong competition from larger suppliers
- Limited feedback following unsuccessful bids
Businesses also highlighted increasing challenges related to social value reporting, impact measurement, transparency requirements, and post-award compliance obligations under evolving procurement regulations.
“What our research made clear is that the barrier for many SMEs is not capability - it is access,” said Vishal Mishra, Co-Founder and CEO of Supplierverse.
“Businesses are often excluded not because they cannot deliver value, but because procurement systems can be fragmented, complex, and difficult to navigate. Supplierverse was created to help simplify that process and improve access to opportunities.”
Himanshu Sharma, Co-Founder and Product Lead at Supplierverse, added:
“We wanted Supplierverse to feel practical, intuitive, and genuinely useful for SMEs. The goal is to help businesses spend less time searching and more time focusing on opportunities that are truly relevant to them.”
Research and academic collaboration
The original research project explored how AI-enabled solutions could improve SME participation in public procurement and reduce barriers experienced by smaller businesses during the tendering process.
The project was supported by Innovate UK and developed in collaboration with Brunel, where the academic team, led by Dr Nan Jiang and Dr Wai Wai Joyce Ko from Brunel Business School, provided research consultation during the research and development phase.
The Brunel academic team consulted on:
- SME market research and stakeholder engagement
- Analysis of procurement barriers and supplier challenges
- Development of innovation concepts informed by research findings
- Prototype evaluation and feedback supporting ongoing platform development
The collaboration also created opportunities for MBA students at Brunel Business School to engage with real business challenges through entrepreneurship workshops and applied innovation activities.
Dr Nan Jiang, Lecturer in Strategy and Management, Brunel Business School, said:
“This collaboration demonstrates how universities and industry can work together to support practical innovation informed by real business needs. Through research consultation, stakeholder engagement, and student participation, the project explores how technology can support more inclusive access to public procurement opportunities for SMEs.”
Dr Wai Wai Joyce Ko, Reader in Strategic Entrepreneurship, and Head of Department - Strategy, Entrepreneurship, People and Global Management of Brunel Business School, added:
“The collaboration provided valuable opportunities for students to engage with live industry challenges while contributing ideas and perspectives that supported the platform’s ongoing innovation and development.”
Supplierverse in partnership with Brunel also published a research report, Better Tenders, Stronger Markets: A Practical UK Guide to More Inclusive Public Procurement for SMEs and Contracting Authorities. The report draws on the project's research findings and provides recommendations for both SMEs and contracting authorities on improving access to public sector opportunities, reducing procurement barriers, and creating more inclusive procurement practices across the UK.
The full report is available at: Better Tenders, Stronger Markets: A Practical UK Guide to More Inclusive Public Procurement for SMEs and Contracting Authorities.
Looking ahead
Supplierverse is now open to SME suppliers across the UK seeking to improve how they discover and manage tender opportunities.
The company aims to simplify access to public procurement by reducing complexity, improving visibility of opportunities, and supporting businesses throughout the bidding journey. Supplierverse will continue evolving through ongoing user feedback, research collaboration, and platform development to support a more inclusive and accessible procurement ecosystem.
About Supplierverse
Supplierverse is an AI-powered bidding companion for SMEs, helping businesses discover relevant tender opportunities, streamline bidding workflows, identify missing requirements, and access AI-supported procurement guidance.
For more information, visit:
https://supplierverse.ai/
About Innovate UK
Innovate UK drives productivity and economic growth by supporting businesses to develop and realise the potential of new ideas. It connects businesses with partners, investors, and customers that help transform ideas into successful products and business growth.
Innovate UK funds business and research collaborations to accelerate innovation and increase investment in research and development (R&D). It is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
For more information, visit:
https://www.innovateuk.ukri.org/