Innovate UK

Innovate UK is a public funding body in the UK. The UK's innovation agency, part of UKRI, which backs high-potential deep and hard tech businesses in Industrial Strategy priority sectors with grants, loans, expert support and connections. Its open Smart grants are closed; funding now runs through sector-focused programmes and competitions, and a new operating model is being introduced from April 2026.

What it offers

• “providing the funding, expert support and connections that help them start, scale and stay in the UK” — ukri.org
• “Grants and loans calibrated to stage and risk, with smaller amounts at early stages and increasing support as innovative businesses prove performance.” — ukri.org
• “Sector-specific innovation programmes designed to tackle the challenges unique to each industry, backed by deep expert knowledge.” — ukri.org
• “UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £8.5 million to develop and scale Engineering Biology platforms, products and services.” — ukri.org
• “Closing date: 3 November 2026 11:00am UK time” — ukri.org
• “From April 2026, we will begin our transition to a new operating model, supporting a seamless, integrated offer and investment pipeline.” — ukri.org
• “with a new advisory front door to help businesses find the right support at the right moment” — ukri.org
• “Businesses will be able to apply directly to Velocity or be referred.” — ukri.org

Who can apply

• “Our focus will be on the UK's deep and hard tech innovators: businesses based on significant scientific or engineering breakthroughs that deliver step-changes in capability and value.” — ukri.org
• “we will focus on six of the eight Industrial Strategy priority sectors:” — ukri.org
• “We look for strong potential, clear evidence of performance and a specific need we can help meet.” — ukri.org
• “Smart grants are now closed for new applications as funding is being aligned to Innovate UK's new strategic direction” — ukri.org

Stages

Seed, Growth

How to apply

Apply or read the rules on the official site.

About this listing

TrustList compiled this listing from Innovate UK's official pages in September 2026. The quotes above are its own words. Amounts, deadlines and eligibility rules change, so check the official site before you rely on them.