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

ARIA: Nature Inspired Computation - Olfactory Perception and Open Olfactory Resource

Opens: 12/08/2026

Closes: 30/09/2026

ARIA seeks to build the foundations for general-purpose olfactory perception – matching or exceeding biological systems in programme challenges.

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Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP): 2026 – 2027 Round 3

Opens: 13/08/2026

Closes: 14/10/2026

UK registered academic institutions, RTOs or Catapults, working with businesses, can apply for a share of up to £12.5m to fund innovation projects.

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UK-Singapore CR&D 2026

Opens: 24/08/2026

Closes: 16/12/2026

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £3 million for the purpose of developing innovative proposals with Singapore. You must collaborate with…

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iX Challenge - Comparing and validating high-precision timing signals at scale

Opens: 10/08/2026

Closes: 18/09/2026

This challenge seeks innovative solutions in comparing and validating high-precision timing signals at scale.

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iX Challenge - Managing resilient switching between critical timing sources

Opens: 10/08/2026

Closes: 18/09/2026

This challenge seeks novel solutions to managing resilient switching between critical timing sources.

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iX Challenge - Generating and controlling precise timing and synchronisation offsets

Opens: 10/08/2026

Closes: 18/09/2026

This challenge seeks novel solutions to generating and controlling precise timing and synchronisation offsets.

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iX Challenge - Distributing ultra-stable time and frequency over optical networks

Opens: 10/08/2026

Closes: 18/09/2026

This challenge seeks innovative solutions to distributing ultra-stable time and frequency over optical networks.

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Quantum computing applications for large scale impact: CR&D

Opens: 04/08/2026

Closes: 16/09/2026

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £13 million for building quantum computing software applications that show clear value and potential high…

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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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Critical Materials Supply Chain Innovation Network
Critical Materials Supply Chain Innovation Network

Connect with partners and access funding, collaboration and commercial opportunities that strengthen the UK’s critical materials supply chains.

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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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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

UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase 2026 06/11/2026
London 09.00 - 16.00
UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase 2026
Event details
Global Incubator Programme: USA (New York) Clean Energy Industries - briefing 12/08/2026
Online 16.00 - 17.00
Global Incubator Programme: USA (New York) Clean Energy Industries - briefing
Event details
Global Business Innovation Programme – SLUSH Finland briefing 15/07/2026
Online 13.00 - 14.00
Global Business Innovation Programme – SLUSH Finland briefing
Event details
Farming Futures: Automation and robotics consortia building event 13/08/2026
Online 10.00 - 11.30
Farming Futures: Automation and robotics consortia building event
Event details
Global Business Innovation Programme – Advanced Connectivity Technologies, India: Briefing Event 09/07/2026
Online 15.00 - 16.00
Global Business Innovation Programme – Advanced Connectivity Technologies, India: Briefing Event
Event details
Horizon Europe Cluster 4 and 5 Inward Multilateral Brokerage Event 03/09/2026
AMIC, Newtownabbey 08.30 - 15.00
Horizon Europe Cluster 4 and 5 Inward Multilateral Brokerage Event
Event details
Global Incubator Programme: Video Gaming, Canada (Montreal) - briefing 21/07/2026
Online 16.00 - 17.00
Global Incubator Programme: Video Gaming, Canada (Montreal) - briefing
Event details
Advanced Connectivity Technologies: New Innovators 09/07/2026
Online 11.00 - 12.00
Advanced Connectivity Technologies: New Innovators
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

Energy Efficient Computing - from innovation to impact Perspective
Energy Efficient Computing - from innovation to impact
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Exploring future opportunities for robotics and automation in UK agriculture News
Exploring future opportunities for robotics and automation in UK agriculture
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How place-based citizen engagement can shape a positive, decarbonised future for the UK Perspective
How place-based citizen engagement can shape a positive, decarbonised future for the UK
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Help shape the future of innovation in accelerated cancer diagnosis News
Help shape the future of innovation in accelerated cancer diagnosis
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Defence innovation:</br>Turning strategic ambition into economic growth News
Defence innovation:
Turning strategic ambition into economic growth
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Unlocking UK economic growth through AI: A practical guide for employers Perspective
Unlocking UK economic growth through AI: A practical guide for employers
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Future skills for digital ports and remote crane operations Perspective
Future skills for digital ports and remote crane operations
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Smart Data in transport: turning fragmented data into better journeys, services and decisions News
Smart Data in transport: turning fragmented data into better journeys, services and decisions
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