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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AI Cyber Security Engineering Biology Maritime Quantum Security & Defence Semiconductors Space Advanced Connectivity Technologies

Defence opportunities

UK Defence Innovation: Security Open Call 2026 Cycle 2

Opens: 01/10/2026

Closes: 29/10/2026

The Security Open Call is a competition which UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) runs to find proposals that address security challenges faced by government stakeholders.

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ARIA: Forecasting Tipping Points Phase 2 – Concept papers

Concept papers encouraged by 9 Oct: full proposals deadline 2 Dec, 2pm.

ARIA are inviting proposals related to ocean observing, forecasting, and decision-useful climate-evidence translation, with multi-million budgets for several areas.

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Contracts for Innovation: Battery innovation for dual use & defence Phase 1

Opens: 28/09/2026

Closes: 04/11/2026

The Battery Innovation Programme is investing up to £2m to accelerate innovative battery technologies that solve defence challenges.

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Efficient, Structured and Controllable AI Systems

Opens: 12/10/2026

Closes: 18/11/2026

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…

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HMGCC Co-Creation Challenge: AI-enhanced x-ray imaging for bomb disposal

Opens: 28/09/2026. Closes: 29/10/2026.

Can you develop a machine learning-enabled solution that helps engineers identify, characterise, and understand electronic components using only x-ray images?

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Frontier AI: SME Champions, Phase 1

Opens: 01/10/2026

Closes: 11/11/2026

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)…

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Contracts for Innovation: Counter UAS Demonstrations in Prison Environments

Opens: 05/10/2026

Closes: 28/10/2026

Organisations can apply for a share of £900,000, inclusive of VAT, to demonstrate and test low-cost counter uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) technologies that are able to…

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European Space Agency: Smart and Resilient Energy Systems

Opens: 29/09/2026

Closes: 27/11/2026

Aiming to develop operational solutions using space-enabled technologies to improve the anticipatory, operational, and strategic resilience of electricity grids.

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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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Semiconductor Global Innovation Network (GIN)
Semiconductor Global Innovation Network (GIN)

The UK semiconductor ecosystem is expanding rapidly, and the Global Innovation Network will help shape UK-international engagement within the industry.

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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

Connecting the UK's neuromorphic computing ecosystem 29/10/2026
Online 10.00 - 11.30
Connecting the UK's neuromorphic computing ecosystem
Event details
Battery innovation for dual-use and defence phase 1 01/10/2026
Online 10.00 - 12.00
Battery innovation for dual-use and defence phase 1
Event details
BridgeAI: Accelerating AI deployment 26/10/2026
London 12.00 - 17.00
BridgeAI: Accelerating AI deployment
Event details
Series Webinar Series: Understanding the UK Semiconductor Ecosystem Webinar 1: 6 October 2026
Online
Webinar Series: Understanding the UK Semiconductor Ecosystem
Event details
Horizon Europe Cluster 4 – Digital Info Webinar for 2027 Call Topics 24/09/2026
Online 11.00 - 12.00
Horizon Europe Cluster 4 – Digital Info Webinar for 2027 Call Topics
Event details
Industrial Decarbonisation AI Coalition: International opportunities webinar 08/10/2026
Online 10.00 - 11.30
Industrial Decarbonisation AI Coalition: International opportunities webinar
Event details
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

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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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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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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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Innovative drug development models awarded funding to drive adoption and growth News
Innovative drug development models awarded funding to drive adoption and growth
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Acceptance of novel low environmental impact construction products Perspective
Acceptance of novel low environmental impact construction products
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