Innovate UK Investor Partnerships

Innovate UK Investor Partnerships is a government startup scheme in the UK. Innovate UK programme that gives UK SMEs an R&D grant alongside equity investment from a pool of selected investor partners, which include venture capital funds, corporate investors, business angel groups and social impact investors. Companies must be invited to apply by an investor partner, and a round is open until 14 October 2026.

What it offers

• “This programme brings together Innovate UK's use of grant funding, and investor partners' aligned finance and expertise.” — ukri.org
• “The investor partners include venture capital funds, corporate investors, business angel groups and social impact investors.” — ukri.org
• “For feasibility studies and industrial research projects, the following intervention rates may apply:” — ukri.org
• “up to 70% if you are a micro or small organisation” — ukri.org
• “up to 60% if you are a medium-sized organisation” — ukri.org
• “For experimental development projects that are nearer to market, the following intervention rates may apply:” — ukri.org
• “up to 45% if you are a micro or small organisation” — ukri.org
• “up to 35% if you are a medium-sized organisation” — ukri.org

Who can apply

• “be a UK registered micro, small or medium sized business (SME)” — ukri.org
• “have been invited to apply by an investor from our pool of selected investor partners” — ukri.org
• “This competition is open to single applicants only.” — ukri.org
• “In order to receive grant funding for your project you must also receive aligned investment from (or led by) one or more of our selected investor partners.” — ukri.org
• “For feasibility studies and industrial research projects, the aligned investment must be at least the same amount as the grant commitment.” — ukri.org
• “For experimental development projects, the aligned investment must be at least twice the amount of the grant commitment.” — ukri.org
• “The first stage in a grant application is for one of our investor partners to submit an expression of interest” — ukri.org
• “As a result, SMEs must engage with our investor partners before considering applying for a grant.” — ukri.org

Stages

Seed

How to apply

Apply or read the rules on the official site.

About this listing

TrustList compiled this listing from Innovate UK Investor Partnerships'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.