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 Foundation Industries

Learn more about our areas in Foundation Industries

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Foundation Industries opportunities

Innovation Loans Expression of Interest

There is no submission deadline

UK registered micro, small or medium sized enterprises can submit an Expression of Interest for loans for close to market innovative projects with strong commercial potential.…

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Consumer Led Flexibility for the Clean Energy Superpower Mission

Opens: 10/06/2026

Closes: 26/08/2026

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £25 million for pre-commercialisation projects to develop solutions that enable flexible loads to be better…

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Global Incubator Programme: Seabed to Space Dual-Use Technologies, Canada

Opens: 08/06/2026

Closes: 24/07/2026

Innovate UK seeks up to eight innovative UK companies with dual-use civilian & military tech within the national security, defence, and marine technology sectors to join…

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Future Leaders Fellowships: Round 11, business and non-academic

Opens: 22/06/2026

Closes: 04/11/2026

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £110 million to deliver ambitious research and innovation and develop future leaders. This funding is…

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ARIA: Future Proofing Our Climate and Weather

Opens: 01/06/2026

Closes: 31/07/2026

Funding of up to £500,000 for early-stage research that explores new pathways for climate adaptation and resilience.

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NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator (DIANA) 2027 cohort

Opens: 01/06/2026

Closes: 03/07/2026

DIANA seeks cutting-edge and mature technological solutions to critical defence and security challenges through public challenge calls.

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Circular Bio-Based Europe: 2026 call for project proposals

Opens: 23/04/2026

Closes: 22/09/2026

CBE-JU is funding projects developing innovative and sustainable bio-based solutions, with up to €20m for the largest projects.

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Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund Discovery Cycle 6

Opens: 27/05/2026

Closes: 24/06/2026

Organisations can apply for a share of up to £30 million exclusive of VAT, for collaborative Discovery Phase Projects that meet the Innovation Challenges. This funding…

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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 Foundation Industries programmes support you?

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

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Emergent Sustainable Built Environment Materials Innovation Network
Emergent Sustainable Built Environment Materials Innovation Network

Driving rapid adoption of UK sustainable construction materials to reduce environmental impact.

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Engineering Biology Innovation Network
Engineering Biology Innovation Network

Driving the development of a joined-up UK innovation ecosystem to ensure synthetic biology tools, technologies and processes can be more easily developed and adopted by a…

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Zero emission heavy goods vehicles and infrastructure
Zero emission heavy goods vehicles and infrastructure

Supporting the development, uptake and demonstration of commercially available zero emission HGVs, and providing the crucial infrastructure to help the haulage sector decarbonise and transition to…

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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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Next-generation low-carbon concrete Advance Market Commitment
Next-generation low-carbon concrete Advance Market Commitment

Harnessing the power of collective demand to accelerate concrete decarbonisation.

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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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Cross-Sector Battery Systems Innovation Network
Cross-Sector Battery Systems Innovation Network

The Cross-Sector Battery Systems Innovation Network, funded by Innovate UK, is a cross-sectoral and collaborative community of technology developers and end-users.

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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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Innovate UK Unlocking Potential Award
Innovate UK Unlocking Potential Award

There should be no limits to success in innovation. So, if you’ve got a great idea or a business with big ambition, this is the place…

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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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Sustainable Aviation Fuel Innovation Programme
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Innovation Programme

Accelerating the development of UK’s SAF industry and enabling UK Government to achieve 10% SAF in the UK jet fuel mix by 2030. By fostering innovation…

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Circular Economy Innovation Network
Circular Economy Innovation Network

The Circular Economy Innovation Network aims to create stronger, more collaborative, and resilient industries working together to achieve net zero through circular innovation.

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Net Zero Places Innovation Network
Net Zero Places Innovation Network

Making net zero a reality in the UK by supporting local/regional authorities to achieve their net zero ambitions by connecting, collaborating, sharing experiences and adopting innovation.…

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Growing the UK Sustainable Aviation Fuel Industry
Growing the UK Sustainable Aviation Fuel Industry

Innovate UK Business Connect has conducted an analysis to support the growth of the UK’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry and support the ambitions of the…

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Innovation Exchange
Innovation Exchange

Innovate UK Innovation Exchange is a cross-sector programme supporting innovation transfer by matching industry challenges to innovative companies from other sectors. It does this by putting…

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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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Process Manufacturing Landscape
Process Manufacturing Landscape

Connecting the UK’s growing Process Manufacturing community with industrial collaborators, research-based expertise, investment opportunities and funders.

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Foundation Industries events

Series Consumer Led Flexibility Innovation Programme – Competition Briefing and Surgeries 22/06/2026
Online 10.30 - 12.00
Consumer Led Flexibility Innovation Programme – Competition Briefing and Surgeries
Event details
Sustainable Chemicals Innovation Network insights and learning series: Funding application guide 101 14/07/2026
Online 11.00 - 12.00
Sustainable Chemicals Innovation Network insights and learning series: Funding application guide 101
Event details
Scoping workshop: Shaping a future Innovation network for offshore materials and manufacturing 23/06/2026
Online 10.30 - 12.00
Scoping workshop: Shaping a future Innovation network for offshore materials and manufacturing
Event details
Industrial Decarbonization AI Coalition workshop: Deploying AI in complex physical environments 24/06/2026
Online 10.30 - 17.00
Industrial Decarbonization AI Coalition workshop: Deploying AI in complex physical environments
Event details
Industrial Decarbonisation AI Coalition (IDAIC) workshop: Deploying AI in complex physical environments 24/06/2026
London 10.30 - 17.00
Industrial Decarbonisation AI Coalition (IDAIC) workshop: Deploying AI in complex physical environments
Event details
Scoping workshop: Shaping a future innovation network for nuclear materials and manufacturing 24/06/2026
Online 10.30 - 12.00
Scoping workshop: Shaping a future innovation network for nuclear materials and manufacturing
Event details
Funding 101 Webinar - Textiles 22/06/2026
Online 11.00 - 12.00
Funding 101 Webinar - Textiles
Event details
Shaping the Future of Non-Destructive Testing/Evaluation Technologies (NDT/NDE): Industry Insights Workshop 08/06/2026
London 12.00 - 16.00
Shaping the Future of Non-Destructive Testing/Evaluation Technologies (NDT/NDE): Industry Insights Workshop
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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