Innovate UK seeks innovative companies with Dual-Use Technologies to participate in an acceleration programme to support growth by exploring the potential of the Canadian market.
Innovate UK will fund and organise group flights, group accommodation and group airport transfer fees for successful applicants, who will also benefit from an intensive 12 months, three phased programme, and bespoke support from an Innovation and Growth Specialist or Scale Up Director throughout.
Note: This opportunity is fully funded support and not monetary funding.
Innovate UK is inviting ambitious companies to participate in the Global Incubator Programme, organised by Innovate UK, which will include week-long visits to Canada in October 2026 and June 2027. Each business is supported by an Innovate UK Business Growth Specialist or Scale Up Director to help maximise the potential of being part of the programme and beyond. This initiative will be delivered physically and will include virtual activities.
Scope
This programme focuses on accelerating companies within the national security, defence, and marine technology sectors by embedding them into Canada’s world-leading COVE innovation hub in Halifax.
It targets high-priority technologies like autonomous marine vessels, collaborative aviation networks, eVTOLs, and scalable counter-UAS systems, alongside dual-use and infrastructure-protection solutions. Participants receive structured market access, including two dedicated visits to the DEFSEC exhibition and an exclusive opportunity to pitch directly to industry experts and commercial or defence end-users at the COVE Demo Day.
We are currently accepting applications for up to 8 innovative companies in the national security & defence sector to join our tailored 12-month incubation programme delivered in partnership with COVE, a global innovation hub located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Key focus areas include, but are not limited to:
- National Security & Defence
- Dual-use technologies
- Marine Transportation
- Protection of infrastructure from airborne threats
- Protection of offshore and maritime infrastructure
- Test & Evaluation for autonomous vehicles
Key technology areas include, but are not limited to:
- Autonomous Marine Vessels
- Swarming, collaborative or autonomous aviation systems
- Hybrid electric Vertical Take off and Landing aircraft (eVTOLs) or Conventional Take off and Landing aircraft (eCTOLs)
- Cost effective and scalable counter-UAS technologies.
- Advanced sensing, detection, and monitoring systems
- Ocean monitoring and environmental intelligence
An applicant briefing will be held on Monday 15 June 2026 at 1pm (BST): application link to follow soon.
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To apply, you must:
- Be a UK-based innovation-led company with ambitions to grow and internationalise
- Be a company with fewer than 250 employees
- Have a focus on Sea to Space Dual-Use Technologies
Innovate UK is committed to improving the diversity of who we support. We welcome applications from under-represented groups.
In order to be eligible for the Global Incubator Programme, you must be a small or medium sized company based in the UK. We are looking for businesses with the ambition and commitment to scale globally. The programme best suits businesses that already have some traction and sales in the UK that are now looking to innovate their products and services through building global partnerships and collaborations to accelerate their growth and scaling journey. A senior person from the company needs to commit to being involved in all stages of the programme.
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In order to be eligible for the Global Incubator Programme, you must be a small or medium sized company based in the UK. We are looking for businesses with the ambition and commitment to scale globally. The programme best suits businesses that already have some traction and sales in the UK that are now looking to innovate their products and services through building global partnerships and collaborations to accelerate their growth and scaling journey. A senior person from the company needs to commit to being involved in all stages of the programme.
The three stages of the programme are as follows:
Prepare
You will be allocated an Innovate UK Business Growth Specialist or Scale Up Director to work with in the UK who will work with you on your strategic action plan for the programme. You will receive an overview of the innovation and sector landscape of the country’s market, a full briefing on the programme and working with the incubator, and support to better present your business and the value proposition.
Pursue
This 4-6 month stage of the programme is about working with the incubator. A typical programme will see a visit to the market at the beginning, providing the opportunity to consider technology and market fit, preliminary customer validation and an introduction to ecosystem players. This will be followed by regular (weekly or fortnightly) virtual sessions with the incubator team, mentors, and experts, to do a deep dive into understanding what it takes to be successful in accessing the market. The final part is a second visit to the market, including a demo day to showcase the achievements of the cohort, continuing to raise the profile and make connections for the businesses involved.
Exploit
You will work with your Innovate UK Business Growth Specialist or Scale Up Director to continue to exploit the programme with the necessary understanding and networks to accelerate your global growth and scaling journey. The team will also be here to support you to build on all the connections, knowledge, and expertise gained. At the end of the programme, an alumni event will be held to celebrate successes and further develop your progress.
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COVE is a global technology partner advancing high-impact solutions from seabed to space. Establish over a decade ago, it has built a proven innovation and commercialization platform that helps scale technologies through testing, market expertise, infrastructure access, and global networks.
Though its accelerator programs and collaborative ecosystem COVE brings together, industry, government, researchers and customers to accelerate commercially viable solutions and drive innovations across emerging technology sectors.
COVE also provides unique access to operational environments, end users, and commercialization pathways, acting as a catalyst for market entry.
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Canada has become a global leader in engineering solutions suited for harsh ocean environments, as well as in autonomous and AI-enabled technologies. It offers strong market opportunities, flexible testing and regulatory pathways, and ranks third among G7 nations for ease of establishing and scaling a business.
Positioned at the intersection of commercial innovation, sovereign capability development, and allied collaboration, Canada provides an ideal launchpad for UK SMEs seeking long term North American growth. Particularly in key sectors such as autonomy, AI-enabled sensing, robotics, energy, advanced maritime technologies, and dual-use and defence innovation.
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Funded Market Access Group Flights; Group accommodation; Group in-market travel; and conference fees are all covered, removing a significant financial barrier to international market entry.
Two In-Market Visits to Canada One week-long visits in October 2026 and June 2027, providing direct access to one of the world’s leading Maritime, Ocean Technology and Dual-use ecosystems.
Dedicated Expert Support Each business is paired with an Innovate UK Business Growth Specialist or Scale Up Director who provides bespoke, one-to-one strategic support throughout the full 12-month programme.
Access to COVE Ecosystem Direct connection to a globally recognised agri-food innovation and investment firm, including in-market programming, virtual programmes, 1:1 mentor engagements and COVE team check-ins.
Market Validation and Customer Discovery Structured opportunities to test technology and market fit, conduct preliminary customer validation, and gain a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in the Australian market.
Investor and Partner Connectivity Introductions to ecosystem players, mentors and potential investors.
Demo Day Profile A dedicated showcase opportunity to present achievements to key stakeholders, raising the company’s profile within the Canadian Maritime, Ocean Technology and Dual-Use Technologies community.
Long-Term Alumni Network Ongoing support and an alumni event at the programme’s conclusion to sustain momentum and continue building connections beyond the programme itself.
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To learn more about the Programme, including hearing how this has worked for previous participants, register for the Applicant Briefing event on Friday 12th June 2026 at 2PM (BST).
Key Dates
- Applicant briefing: Monday 15 June 2026 at 1pm (BST)
- Closing date for applications: Friday 24 July at 12 Noon (BST)
- Shortlist Interviews: Monday 3 August – Thursday 7 August 2026
- Successful Applicants notified: Friday 21 August 2026
- Virtual programme kick-off: Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Introduction Workshop: Wednesday 9 September 2026 – Thursday 10 September 2026
- Market Visit 1: Saturday 3 October – Saturday 10 October 2026
- Catch-up Workshop: Wednesday 27 January 2027 – Thursday 28 January 2027
- Ocean Business Southampton 2027: Tuesday 6 April 2027 – Wednesday 7 April 2027
- Market Visit 2: June 2027 Dates to be confirmed
- Exploitation Workshop: Wednesday 15 September 2027 – Thursday 16 September 2027
- Incubation Programme (Virtual): Tuesday 1 September 2026 – Friday 17 September 2027
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Innovate UK will fund and organise group flights, group accommodation and group airport transfer fees for successful applicants. One representative from each company will be funded.
On acceptance of the offer, a commitment fee of £2,000 will be obtained from each delegate. It will be refunded on completion of the full activities and agreed work plan. Non-completion or breach of conduct after formal acceptance may result in forfeiting some or all the commitment fees.
Innovate UK's application and funding process
If you need more information about how to apply, please read our funding support pages. For additional support, reach out to our team of innovation experts who are ready to help you navigate the application process and maximise your chances of success.
For more information
Accessibility and Inclusion
Innovate UK welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to making our application process accessible to everyone. This includes making reasonable adjustments, for people who have a disability or a long-term condition and face barriers applying to us.