Funding / United Kingdom
Not closed · checked 16 Sep – 10 Oct 2026
Open funding for startups in the United Kingdom
46 grants and accelerators and 1 loan: 37 with a closing date, 3 rolling, 7 with no deadline found. A program whose closing date has passed is left out. Amounts and terms are the program's own words; a fact I did not find says not found.
Programs open to founders anywhere: 22 — see them.
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Grants and accelerators (46)
With a closing date (37)
Grant non-dilutive
Engineering Biology Access to Infrastructure Pilot (Innovate UK)
- Amount
- up to £5 m · cash · UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £5 million for Engineering Biology pilot scale and validation projects.
- Deadline
- 21 Oct 2026
- For whom
- UK registered micro, small or medium sized enterprise (SME) leading or working alone; projects with total costs GBP 200,000 to 750,000
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
Advancing innovation in accelerated cancer diagnosis (Innovate UK)
- Amount
- up to £25.4 m · cash · Innovate UK, on behalf of the Office for Life Sciences’ (OLS) Cancer Healthcare Goals programme, will invest up to £25.4 million, to support the clinical validation and evaluation of early cancer diagnostic technologies…
- Deadline
- 28 Oct 2026
- For whom
- UK registered business of any size, academic institution or NHS organisation leading a consortium with at least one UK registered SME and a clinician
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant equity terms: not found
Contracts for Innovation: counter UAS demonstrations in prison environments
- Amount
- not found on the page
- Deadline
- 28 Oct 2026
- For whom
- Organisations of any size, including those based in the EU, EEA or internationally, alone or with subcontractors
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
Contracts for Innovation: Innovation in play to improve child outcomes
- Amount
- £3 m · cash · Organisations can apply for a share of £3 million, inclusive of VAT, to develop practical solutions that reignite the importance of play and increase access to high quality, real world play experiences, improving…
- Deadline
- 28 Oct 2026
- For whom
- Organisations of any size, including those based in the EU, EEA or internationally, alone or with subcontractors
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
National Materials Innovation Programme: Collaborative R&D Round 1 (Innovate UK)
- Amount
- up to £12 m · cash · UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £12 million for collaborative industrial research to speed the translation of advanced materials innovations in three prioritised high growth themes and one…
- Deadline
- 28 Oct 2026
- For whom
- UK registered business of any size leading a consortium that includes at least one UK registered SME claiming grant
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
Engineering Biology Collaborative R&D: Round 3
- Amount
- up to £8.5 m · cash · UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £8.5 million to develop and scale Engineering Biology platforms, products and services.
- Deadline
- 3 Nov 2026
- For whom
- Collaborations led by a UK registered business of any size including at least one UK SME
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
CfI: Battery innovation for dual use & defence, Phase 1 (Innovate UK)
- Amount
- cash · Contracts will be between £20,000 and £50,000, inclusive of VAT, for each project for up to 3 months.
- Deadline
- 4 Nov 2026
- For whom
- Organisation of any size, working alone or with subcontractors; single legal entity, work carried out in the UK
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
Future Leaders Fellowships Round 11: business and non-academic (UKRI)
- Amount
- cash · have a grant funding request of between £100,000 and £3 million
- Deadline
- 4 Nov 2026
- For whom
- UK registered business of any size (or other eligible organisation) hosting a Future Leaders Fellow
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
FOAK Builder: Programme Entry Expression of Interest (Innovate UK)
- Amount
- up to £315,000 · cash · worth up to £315,000 (Innovate UK funding, GBP)
- Deadline
- 5 Nov 2026
- For whom
- UK registered businesses can apply for support worth up to £315,000 to develop a Climate Tech First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) project. Companies successful at this EOI stage could be invited to apply for a lar
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
Innovation Exchange challenge: accelerating digital engineering through MBSE simulation
- Amount
- up to GBP 60,000 · cash · up to GBP 60,000 grant via Innovation Funding Service if selected
- Deadline
- 6 Nov 2026
- For whom
- Established businesses, academic institutions, start-ups, SMEs or individual entrepreneurs, UK based or intending to set up a UK base; solution-provider challenge set by a company.
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
Innovation Exchange challenge: Edge AI with low size, weight, power and cost
- Amount
- up to GBP 60,000 · cash · up to GBP 60,000 grant via Innovation Funding Service if selected
- Deadline
- 6 Nov 2026
- For whom
- Established businesses, academic institutions, start-ups, SMEs or individual entrepreneurs, UK based or intending to set up a UK base; solution-provider challenge set by a company.
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
Innovation Exchange challenge: next-generation electronics for UK bathymetric sonar
- Amount
- up to GBP 60,000 · cash · up to GBP 60,000 grant via Innovation Funding Service if selected
- Deadline
- 6 Nov 2026
- For whom
- Established businesses, academic institutions, start-ups, SMEs or individual entrepreneurs, UK based or intending to set up a UK base; solution-provider challenge set by a company.
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
Frontier AI: SME Champions, Phase 1
- Amount
- cash · Your project's total eligible costs must be between £150,000 and £250,000. Up to 70% of costs can be covered, depending on business size.
- Deadline
- 11 Nov 2026
- For whom
- UK registered micro, small or medium sized enterprises delivering feasibility studies for frontier AI and ML technologies (themes include AI safety and assurance, health, materials, security).
- Where
- Nationwide
Grant non-dilutive
Frontier AI: SME Champions, Phase 1 (Innovate UK)
- Amount
- up to £3.1 m · cash · share of up to £3.1 million (Innovate UK funding, GBP)
- Deadline
- 11 Nov 2026
- For whom
- UK registered SME’s can apply for a share of up to £3.1 million to deliver feasibility studies for frontier artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) technologies with a clear route to d
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
Efficient, Structured and Controllable AI Systems
- Amount
- cash · Your project must have total costs of between £50,000 and £150,000. Up to 70% of costs can be covered, depending on business size.
- Deadline
- 18 Nov 2026
- For whom
- UK registered SME businesses can apply for a share of up to £1.66 million to deliver experimental validation of prototype AI systems
- Where
- Nationwide
Grant non-dilutive
Efficient, Structured and Controllable AI Systems (Innovate UK)
- Amount
- up to £1.66 m · cash · share of up to £1.66 million (Innovate UK funding, GBP)
- Deadline
- 18 Nov 2026
- For whom
- UK registered SME businesses can apply for a share of up to £1.66 million to deliver experimental validation of prototype AI systems for novel reusable components of efficient, structured and controll
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
High Growth Spinout Programme (Scottish Enterprise)
- Amount
- up to £75,000 · cash · Projects can receive up to £75,000 for a six to 12 month project.
- Deadline
- 18 Nov 2026
- For whom
- Researchers at Scottish academic and research institutions spinning out a company; applications endorsed by institution relationship manager
- Where
- Scotland
Accelerator equity terms: not found
Techstars London Accelerator
- Amount
- not found on the page
- Deadline
- 18 Nov 2026
- For whom
- This program welcomes early-stage founders from all over the world across all verticals
- Where
- London
Accelerator equity terms: not found
Founder Labs (Invest NI accelerator)
- Amount
- GBP 25,000 · cash · GBP 25,000 funding plus six-month programme, fully funded by Invest NI
- Deadline
- 20 Nov 2026
- For whom
- Start-ups in Northern Ireland with high-growth technology ambition (>GBP 1m revenue/funding by year 3, 60% sales outside NI, external investment).
- Where
- Northern Ireland
Grant equity terms: not found
Battery Innovation Programme: investor partnerships
- Amount
- not found on the page
- Deadline
- 25 Nov 2026
- For whom
- UK registered micro, small or medium sized businesses
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
Germany Bilateral Collaborative R&D: round 5 (UK-German ZIM)
- Amount
- GBP 2.4m · cash · GBP 2.4m total pot
- Deadline
- 1 Dec 2026
- For whom
- UK registered SMEs collaborating with a German SME applying under the German ZIM programme.
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
UK-Germany Bilateral Collaborative R&D: Round 5 (Innovate UK)
- Amount
- up to £2.4 m · cash · share of up to £2.4 million (Innovate UK funding, GBP)
- Deadline
- 1 Dec 2026
- For whom
- UK registered SME’s can apply for a share of up to £2.4 million for the purpose of developing innovative proposals with Germany. You must collaborate with at least one German SME applying under the eq
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
Battery innovation: concept development round three
- Amount
- up to £25 m · cash · UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £25 million to support innovation in battery grade material technologies for electrification.
- Deadline
- 2 Dec 2026
- For whom
- Collaborations of UK registered businesses
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
Battery Innovation: Feasibility Studies Round 3 (Innovate UK)
- Amount
- up to £25 m · cash · UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £25 million to support innovation in battery grade material technologies for electrification.
- Deadline
- 2 Dec 2026
- For whom
- UK registered business of any size leading a consortium that includes at least one UK registered SME claiming grant
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
Engineering Biology Investor Partnerships round 1
- Amount
- up to £8 m · cash · UK registered SMEs can apply for a share of up to £8 million to develop engineering biology products and services with selected investor partners.
- Deadline
- 2 Dec 2026
- For whom
- UK registered micro, small or medium sized businesses seeking private financing of at least twice the grant
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
Innovate UK Engineering Biology Investor Partnerships Round 1
- Amount
- up to GBP 8 m · cash · Share of up to GBP 8 million in grant funding, alongside aligned private investment from a lead investor.
- Deadline
- 2 Dec 2026
- For whom
- UK registered SMEs developing engineering biology products and services with selected investor partners.
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation: CR&D Round 2 (Innovate UK)
- Amount
- cash · Your project’s total eligible grant funding request must be between £500,000 and £1 million.
- Deadline
- 2 Dec 2026
- For whom
- Collaborative projects led by a UK registered business of any size, RTO, catapult or not-for-profit, with at least one UK registered SME claiming grant
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
BridgeAI Deployment Catalyst: AI for Assurance and Compliance (Innovate UK)
- Amount
- up to £5 m · cash · share of up to £5 million (Innovate UK funding, GBP)
- Deadline
- 8 Dec 2026
- For whom
- UK registered SMEs can apply for a share of up to £5 million to deploy Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning solutions that monitor, test, verify or evidence compliance with requirements, stand
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
BridgeAI Deployment Catalyst: AI for Assurance and Compliance Systems
- Amount
- cash · GBP 100,000-200,000 per project; up to GBP 5m phase pot
- Deadline
- 8 Dec 2026
- For whom
- UK registered AI/ML SMEs with a TRL 5-6 solution and minimum viable product, moving from pilot to deployment.
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
BridgeAI Deployment Catalyst: AI for Decision Critical Systems
- Amount
- cash · GBP 100,000-200,000 per project; up to GBP 5m phase pot
- Deadline
- 8 Dec 2026
- For whom
- UK registered AI/ML SMEs with a TRL 5-6 solution and minimum viable product, moving from pilot to deployment.
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
BridgeAI Deployment Catalyst: AI for Decision Critical Systems (Innovate UK)
- Amount
- up to £5 m · cash · share of up to £5 million (Innovate UK funding, GBP)
- Deadline
- 8 Dec 2026
- For whom
- UK registered SMEs can apply for a share of up to £5 million to deploy Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning solutions that support consequential judgements, recommendations or decisions. Fundi
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
BridgeAI Deployment Catalyst: AI for Operational Systems
- Amount
- cash · GBP 100,000-200,000 per project; up to GBP 5m phase pot
- Deadline
- 8 Dec 2026
- For whom
- UK registered AI/ML SMEs with a TRL 5-6 solution and minimum viable product, moving from pilot to deployment.
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
BridgeAI Deployment Catalyst: AI for Operational Systems (Innovate UK)
- Amount
- up to £5 m · cash · share of up to £5 million (Innovate UK funding, GBP)
- Deadline
- 8 Dec 2026
- For whom
- UK registered SMEs can apply for a share of up to £5 million to deploy Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning solutions that perform, control or coordinate operational activity. Funding is from
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
Cluster Acceleration Programme (Invest NI)
- Amount
- cash · Phase 1 up to GBP 60,000; Phase 2 up to GBP 1,000,000 per cluster
- Deadline
- 11 Dec 2026
- For whom
- Business-led networks of at least 8 Northern Ireland SMEs (startups, scale-ups, incubators, angels and others as cluster members).
- Where
- Northern Ireland
Grant non-dilutive
Innovate UK UK-Singapore Collaborative R&D 2026
- Amount
- up to GBP 3 m · cash · Share of up to GBP 3 million (grant); Singapore partner funded via Enterprise Singapore.
- Deadline
- 16 Dec 2026
- For whom
- UK registered businesses collaborating with a Singapore registered business applying to the Enterprise Singapore programme.
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
UK-Singapore Collaborative R&D 2026
- Amount
- up to £3 m · cash · UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £3 million for the purpose of developing innovative proposals with Singapore.
- Deadline
- 16 Dec 2026
- For whom
- UK registered businesses of any size collaborating with a Singapore registered business
- Where
- United Kingdom / Singapore
Grant non-dilutive
Eureka collaborative R&D: Globalstars Japan 2027 (Innovate UK)
- Amount
- £2 m · cash · share of £2 million (Innovate UK funding, GBP)
- Deadline
- 20 Jan 2027
- For whom
- UK registered organisations can apply for a share of £2 million for collaborative industrial research projects with partners from Japan and select Eureka countries.
- Where
- United Kingdom
Rolling (3)
Accelerator for equity
EIC Accelerator
- Amount
- up to €2.5M grant · investment · Grant under €2.5M + equity €1–10M
- Deadline
- short proposals any time; next full Nov 4
- For whom
- Deep-tech start-ups and SMEs (up to 499 staff) in the EU or a Horizon Europe associated country
- Where
- EU & Horizon Europe associated countries
Grant equity terms: not found
Innovate UK Innovation Loans (Expression of Interest)
- Amount
- not found on the page
- Deadline
- Open - no closing date (rolling)
- For whom
- UK registered micro, small or medium sized enterprises (SMEs) only, single applicants
- Where
- United Kingdom
Grant non-dilutive
Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) - standing opportunity
- Amount
- cash · Project costs vary greatly but typically a small or medium sized business might expect to contribute £35,000 a year and a large company in excess of £50,000.
- Deadline
- Open - no closing date (rolling)
- For whom
- UK-based businesses of any size partnering with a university, college or research and technology organisation
- Where
- United Kingdom
No deadline found — check the page (6)
Accelerator equity terms: not found
Business Wales Start-Up Accelerator
- Amount
- not found on the page
- Deadline
- Our next Start-Up Accelerator will be launching in Spring 2027, for more information please register your interest below.
- For whom
- Wales-based entrepreneurs with strong business ideas who are aiming to achieve £1 million in turnover by 2029, create 10 or more full time jobs and export internationally.
- Where
- Wales
Grant non-dilutive
Circular Economy Accelerator Grant (Zero Waste Scotland)
- Amount
- cash · Applicants may request grant funding between £10,000 and £75,000.
- Deadline
- no deadline on the page
- For whom
- Earlier stage or developmental circular economy projects in Scotland needing support to reach commercial viability or investment readiness
- Where
- Scotland
Accelerator for equity
Entrepreneurs First (EF)
- Amount
- $250,000 · investment · US: $125K SAFE for 8% + $125K MFN SAFE
- Deadline
- varies by city — see the page
- For whom
- Individuals before they have a company or co-founder; full-time, in person; relocation required
- Where
- London, Paris, Bangalore, SF
Accelerator non-dilutive
Onstage — VC Demo Day
- Amount
- No fees or equity; pitch to hundreds of VCs
- Deadline
- no close date published
- For whom
- Pre-seed to Series A founders based in Europe, raising within six months; any industry
- Where
- Europe; demo day in London
Grant equity terms: not found
SMART Innovation Funding (Business Wales)
- Amount
- not found on the page
- Deadline
- no deadline on the page
- For whom
- Businesses and social enterprises with an active base of operations in Wales and an R&D project backed by a business plan
- Where
- Wales
Grant non-dilutive
Young Person’s Start Up Grant (Big Ideas Wales)
- Amount
- up to £2,000 · cash · A grant of up to £2,000 is available to help young people under the age of 25, living or returning to Wales to become self-employed.
- Deadline
- no deadline on the page
- For whom
- Under 25s living or returning to Wales starting a business pre-trading, e.g. unemployed, part time or finishing studies
- Where
- Wales
Loans you repay (1)
No deadline found — check the page (1)
Loan repaid · no equity
Start Up Loans
- Amount
- £500–£25,000
- Deadline
- No closing date — apply on the Start Up Loans website
- For whom
- You live in the UK, are 18 or over, and the UK business has been fully trading for less than 5 years (or is about to start)
- Where
- United Kingdom
This list is information, not advice or an offer. Programs change: open the program's page before you apply. A program is not listed once its deadline has passed or when its link was found dead on two checks in a row.
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