Home of the UK’s innovation networks

Innovate UK Business Connect brings together businesses, researchers, investors and partners to support innovation across the UK. As a strategic delivery partner to Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), we connect organisations to funding opportunities, partnerships and expert support to help ideas move from concept to scale.

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I’m interested in Defence

Learn more about our areas in Defence

AI Cyber Security Engineering Biology Maritime Quantum Security & Defence Semiconductors Space

Defence opportunities

Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG), Cohort 19

Opens: 11/05/2026

Closes: 05/06/2026

Funding to develop feasibility studies, proofs of concept, or prototypes to shape a safer, greener, accessible, and more resilient transport network.

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High Assurance Detection Systems in UK Airports (HADes) 2026

Opens: 14/05/2026

Closes: 19/06/2026

The competition aims to enhance UK airports’ checkpoint security screening capability, focusing on alarm resolution and any operating concept that can enhance the performance of checkpoint…

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Accelerated Knowledge Transfer Partnerships 6 (AKT 6)

Opens: 26/05/2026

Closes: 15/07/2026

UK registered academic institutions, RTOs or Catapults can apply for a share of up to £2.5 million to fund innovation projects with businesses.

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Contracts for Innovation: First of a Kind (FOAK) Rail Programme 2026

Opens: 11/05/2026

Closes: 24/06/2026

Organisations can apply for a share of £4.3 million, inclusive of VAT, across eight themes to develop a prototype, conduct field testing, and demonstrate their solution.…

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HMGCC Co-Creation Challenge: Automated audio capture and transcription for Defence wargaming

Opens: 11/05/2026

Closes: 11/06/2026

HMGCC Co-Creation is launching a challenge to automatically capture audio and transcribe conversations and decisions in the rapid pace and high-pressure environment of a wargame.

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European Space Agency - The Arctic Region: Environmental and Economic Resilience

Apply anytime from 4 Jun 2026

Supporting the development of space‑enabled services addressing environmental protection and climate resilience in the Arctic region.

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Global Incubator Programme: Agri-Tech Australia Farmers2Founders (F2F)

Opens: 05/05/2026

Closes: 21/06/2026

Innovate UK seeks innovative Agri-Tech companies to participate in an acceleration programme to support growth by exploring the potential of the Australian market.

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Dual-use aviation systems and autonomy

Opens: 05/05/2026

Closes: 03/06/2026

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £10 million for the development of aviation technologies and systems that support both civil and…

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Are you looking for a specific opportunity?

Search for funding, collaboration, support to grow or resources to bring your idea to life.

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Could our Defence programmes support you?

We offer innovation programmes that help businesses and researchers develop and commercialise new products, processes and services.

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ICURe
ICURe

The Innovate UK ICURe Programme gives researchers the chance to turn ground-breaking research into investment-ready spin-out companies and license agreements. We provide funding and personalised support…

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CyberASAP
CyberASAP

The only pre-seed accelerator programme in the cybersecurity ecosystem, CyberASAP (Cyber Security Academic Startup Accelerator Programme) plays a unique and vital role in supporting cyber security…

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Semiconductors
Semiconductors

Ensuring that the UK has a secure and relevant position and capability within the global semiconductor landscape.

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Robotics Proving Ground
Robotics Proving Ground

Pioneering robotics evolution through powering a network of hubs to fast-track robotics from concept to market.

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Next Generation Professional and Financial Services
Next Generation Professional and Financial Services

Helping the professional and financial service sectors to develop and use digital technologies.

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Ignite Labs
Ignite Labs

Ignite Labs provides a dynamic space for UK innovators to stay ahead of the curve. Our programme offers insights, tools, and connections that help you navigate…

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BridgeAI
BridgeAI

Empowering UK organisations to harness the power of AI through support and funding, bridging the AI divide for a more productive UK.

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Young Innovators
Young Innovators

Celebrating young people with great business ideas. Whether you’re launching a startup, solving real-world problems, or just need the right connections to turn your idea into…

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Women in Innovation
Women in Innovation

Enabling brilliant women across the UK to fully achieve their vision for their businesses and change the world, while championing and celebrating gender diversity throughout UK…

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Analysis for Innovators
Analysis for Innovators

Innovate UK Analysis for Innovators can help boost productivity and competitiveness in your business through solving existing problems.

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Defence events

Global Incubator Programme – Agri-Tech, Australia Farmers2Founders: briefing event 19/05/2026
Online 08.00 - 09.30
Global Incubator Programme – Agri-Tech, Australia Farmers2Founders: briefing event
Event details
Innovate Local: Northern Ireland 20/05/2026
Derry/Londonderry 09.00 - 14.00
Innovate Local: Northern Ireland
Event details
ProQure - Scaling UK Quantum computing call - Partner cultivation and engagement event 06/05/2026
London 11.00 - 17.00
ProQure - Scaling UK Quantum computing call - Partner cultivation and engagement event
Event details
Contracts for Innovation: Advanced Connectivity Technologies (ACT) – Call 1 – Competition Briefing 08/04/2026
Online 10.00 - 11.30
Contracts for Innovation: Advanced Connectivity Technologies (ACT) – Call 1 – Competition Briefing
Event details
Solution Development for Advanced Connectivity Technologies – Competition Briefing 09/04/2026
Online 11.00 - 12.30
Solution Development for Advanced Connectivity Technologies – Competition Briefing
Event details
Global Incubator Programme - Agri-Tech, USA, THRIVE: Programme Briefing Event 10/04/2026
Online 12.00 - 13.00
Global Incubator Programme - Agri-Tech, USA, THRIVE: Programme Briefing Event
Event details
Horizon Europe: CHIPS-JU 2026 07/04/2026
Online 10.00 - 11.00
Horizon Europe: CHIPS-JU 2026
Event details
Medicines manufacturing - Labs of the future: competition briefing 17/04/2026
Online 11.00 - 12.00
Medicines manufacturing - Labs of the future: competition briefing
Event details

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Want to join us and help advance the UK’s innovation networks?

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Innovate UK Business Connect highlights

Robotics adoption in the UK - The real innovation challenge Perspective
Robotics adoption in the UK - The real innovation challenge
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Net Zero Lessons from across the UK Perspective
Net Zero Lessons from across the UK
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Behind the breakthroughs: what we’ve learned about the UK’s hidden innovation workforce Perspective
Behind the breakthroughs: what we’ve learned about the UK’s hidden innovation workforce
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Professional and Business Services - A growing investment opportunity Perspective
Professional and Business Services - A growing investment opportunity
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The GeoAI Festival - Creating impact and opportunities in nature finance, sustainable agri-food systems, and spatial planning Perspective
The GeoAI Festival - Creating impact and opportunities in nature finance, sustainable agri-food systems, and spatial planning
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AgriFood Innovation Showcase 2026 event highlights News
AgriFood Innovation Showcase 2026 event highlights
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UK-Netherlands Quantum Innovation pilot winners announced News
UK-Netherlands Quantum Innovation pilot winners announced
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The Growth of UK’s Maritime Industry Perspective
The Growth of UK’s Maritime Industry
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