From Automation to Opportunity: what IKEA's AI strategy reveals /5 min read
On why IKEA's approach to AI shows that efficiency creates the most value when released capacity is reinvested in better service, stronger skills and new growth.
Built for change
Invent Group creates the infrastructure, products and intelligent systems that help organisations evolve.
Bringing together strategy, productisation, data and information processing, and implementation, we apply AI and digital technology where they create practical value — improving performance today and creating room for growth tomorrow.
We help organisations navigate change by turning innovation into working capability: smarter products, stronger systems and more scalable ways of working.
The result is clearer decisions, faster delivery, greater efficiency and a stronger platform for growth.
Malcolm Brechin /CEO
The driving force behind Invent Group, Malcolm is a seasoned strategic leader with 25+ years building and scaling award-winning businesses. His passion lies in identifying real challenges and inventing practical, impactful solutions.
Sam Whisker /CTO
A technical founder and developer who helps turn ideas into reality. Sam is always thinking about what can be built better, faster, or smarter. If he's not solving a technical challenge, he's probably inventing a new one.
Richard Lowes /CSO
With deep expertise in brand strategy and business development, Richard brings clarity to complex opportunities. He ensures that every initiative is grounded in market insight and positioned for sustainable growth.
Invent Labs is the research and development space within Invent Group.
It is where emerging ideas are explored, tested and shaped into practical capability.
We use research to stay close to what is changing across AI, digital infrastructure, product design and information systems.
Our process moves from investigation to prototype, from prototype to working system, and from working system to latest release when the opportunity is right.
Here, Invent Group shares what is being explored, what is being learned and what is beginning to take shape. Some work will become future releases. Some will strengthen existing systems. Some will remain research. All of it helps inform what comes next.
Invent Labs gives Invent Group a way to signal future development with clarity — not as speculation, but as deliberate work in progress.
Invent Group works across seven connected capability areas.
Together, they turn innovation into working capability.
Strategy
Helping to identify where technology can create meaningful advantage. By combining commercial thinking with technical understanding, we shape the right direction before the build begins.
Infrastructure
Designing the technical foundations that make intelligent systems reliable, usable and ready to scale. This is the groundwork that allows products and workflows to perform in the real world.
Productisation
Turning promising ideas into products that are clear, useful and ready to be adopted. The focus is on shaping technology into something practical, valuable and commercially real.
Data and information processing
Creating systems that organise, interpret and apply information more effectively. From complex documents to structured knowledge and decision support, the goal is to make information more useful and actionable.
Implementation
Moving from strategy and concept into live delivery. That includes rollout, integration, refinement and the practical work required to make new capability usable in context.
Efficiency and scale
Designing for stronger performance now and better growth over time. The result is reduced friction, faster execution and systems that can support larger ambitions.
Go-to-market strategy
Ensuring strong technology is matched by a clear route to adoption and commercial traction. This includes positioning, market fit, operational readiness and the practical strategy required to bring new products, capabilities or services successfully into the market.
These capabilities can work independently or together, depending on what the organisation needs and where the opportunity sits.
Latest releases are the current expression of Invent Group in the market.
They show how research, capability and implementation come together in products designed for specific operational needs.
Bid King
Bid King helps organisations respond to bids, tenders and proposals with greater speed, structure and confidence. It applies intelligent information processing to support better response workflows and reduce manual effort.
Vericase
Vericase is an AI-powered legal dispute product designed to support the management of complex casework. It brings together information, workflow and analysis to help legal processes move with greater clarity and control.
Schools-safe
Schools-safe is a secure parental communications app used in academy schools. It is designed to make important communication more reliable, accessible and manageable across school communities.
These are the latest releases in a growing portfolio. Future releases will continue to emerge as they take shape.
Articles from Invent Group.
Writing and reflections on the work — research, products and the patterns we see emerging.
View all articles →
Why AI product launches fail: problem first, technology second /5 min read
On why AI has made it easier than ever to move from idea to product, and why the real challenge is still building something people trust, adopt and pay for.
Google I/O 2026: why the agentic era is really an implementation challenge /5 min read
On why Google's latest AI announcements point beyond better tools and towards a more important question: how organisations turn increasingly capable agents into trusted working capability.
Let's build what comes next.
Invent Group works with organisations that are navigating change, exploring new capability or looking for practical ways to apply AI and digital technology.
If you are thinking about infrastructure, product development, information processing, implementation, research-led innovation or Go to Market strategy, we would welcome a conversation.
Tell us your objective, what needs to work better, or where you see an opportunity. We start with the problem, then design the solution.
For general enquiries, partnerships or conversations around our latest releases, get in touch and we will direct you to the right place.
e/ enquiries@inventgroup.co.uk
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