Biomedical Catalyst
Accelerating the translation of innovative ideas and discoveries into healthcare solutions that improve lives. The Biomedical Catalyst transforms innovative ideas into commercially viable businesses. It delivers sector growth, de-risks innovation and gets companies investment ready.
Transforming innovative ideas into commercially viable businesses
Through our flagship grant funding mechanism, Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst, we help small and medium sized businesses test and develop innovative health and care solutions across life sciences, including therapeutics, medical devices, and digital health.
By awarding grants to UK-based businesses of varying stages of development, we enable them to develop and deliver innovative healthcare solutions, secure investment and speed up bringing new products to market. We help deliver innovative products and services into healthcare more quickly and effectively, and provide support to academically and commercially led R&D, helping to see positive growth towards becoming a global leader in the life sciences sector.
Focus areas
Medicines & Pharmaceuticals
Innovative drug discovery and delivery, therapeutic and medicine development, advanced therapies
Health Technology
Diagnostics, imaging, medical technology and devices, sensors, robotics
Digital Health Technology
Data driven health, AI in health, independent living and wellbeing
How we support you
The Biomedical Catalyst has a suite of competitions designed to support SMEs to progress projects at different stages of development. Typically these range from feasibility studies through to clinical trials and demonstrations of effectiveness in humans or other relevant environments.
ACCELERATOR | FEASIBILITY
Gain feasibility funding through thematic accelerators
Supporting the development of early-stage health and life science businesses in the UK by funding a series of thematic, accelerator-led feasibility projects. These accelerators will recruit spinouts, start-ups, and entrepreneurs to test and refine their ideas, with input and guidance from key stakeholders across relevant ecosystems.
INDUSTRY-LED R&D
Transformational grant funding for industry-led innovation projects
Supporting pre-market R&D projects that develop innovative solutions to health and healthcare challenges with clear potential to drive economic growth. Projects must demonstrate both technical and commercial feasibility, backed by existing evidence, and show how they will enhance the competitiveness and productivity of at least one participating UK SME. Funding is available for industrial research and experimental development, as defined in the categories of research guidance.
INVESTOR PARTNERSHIPS
De-risking innovative technologies by aligning public grant and private investment
The Innovate UK Investor Partnerships Programme supports UK SMEs by combining grant funding for R&D with aligned investment from trusted investor partners. In collaboration with the Investor Partnership Programme, we provide targeted support to innovative, commercially viable life science businesses that drive sector growth and solve global healthcare challenges.
Our experts
Business Connect connects innovators with new partners and new opportunities beyond their existing thinking, accelerating ambitious ideas into real-world solutions. If you want help to find a project partner or would like someone to review a funding application before submission, contact Innovate UK Business Connect.
Meet our experts
Related Opportunities
Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst Accelerator - Future Medicines
Opens: 01/09/2025 Closes: 26/09/2025
An accelerator for UK-based start-ups developing innovations within the scope of Future Medicines, addressing clear and evidenced healthcare challenges.
More Information
Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst - Accelerating Femtech: Evaluate
Opens: 11/08/2025 Closes: 28/09/2025
A 10-week programme that supports UK companies with technologies for women’s health.
More Information
Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst Accelerator - Medtech Venture Kickstarter
Opens: 03/09/2025 Closes: 29/09/2025
A new, intensive, structured programme to provide MedTech ventures the confidence to proceed at pace in taking their innovation to market.
More Information
Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst Accelerator - Managing Chronic Conditions
Opens: 03/09/2025 Closes: 10/10/2025
Accelerator for early stage life science startups targeting unmet needs in disease prevention or proactive management of chronic conditions.
More Information
Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst Accelerator – Hospital to Community
Opens: 10/09/2025 Closes: 31/10/2025
Supporting up to 10 early stage startups working on remote monitoring, at-home diagnostics, new community care models, and digital tools that ease hospital pressure.
More Information
Related Case Studies
Unlocking Untapped Microbial Diversity to Combat AMR
Making cancer cells visible to the immune system
Tackling antimicrobial resistance with an inorganic solution
Related News
01/09/2025
New round of Accelerators to support health and life science innovation
Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst continues to lead the way in supporting UK-based health and life science innovators, offering a powerful combination of access to funding, mentorship, and ecosystem support to accelerate the journey from concept to commercialisation.
Read more
10/06/2025
Biomedical Catalyst funding gives boost to healthcare innovation
Thirty three projects will receive funding from Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst (BMC) to help them translate their ideas into products and therapies for patients, bringing them a step closer to commercialisation.
Read more
Related Events and Recordings
Wed
3
Sep
2025
Mon
15
Sep
2025
Biomedical Catalyst Accelerator regional roadshows
13.30 - 15.30 | London, Liverpool and Glasgow
Download slides
Sign up to our newsletter
Keep on top of all the latest funding opportunities and events within the Health & Life Sciences sector with our monthly newsletter.