Innovate UK Growth Catalyst pilot - Briefing Event
The Innovate UK Growth Catalyst combines grant funding with aligned private investment through our trusted Investor Partnerships model.
Recording now available
Innovate UK Growth Catalyst
Innovate UK Growth Catalyst is an integrated package of funding and support, designed to help accelerate high-potential start-ups on their journey to becoming scale-ups and beyond. For this first pilot, we are targeting late-stage start-ups from seed to Series A.
The funding element will be through our proven Investor Partnerships model, with expert support available from our Innovate UK Business Growth Innovation and Growth Specialists, Innovate UK Business Connect and Catapults.
Our first Growth Catalyst pilot is aimed at innovative businesses working in clean energy or climate technology.
The next pilot in July will be for early-stage, pre-seed start-ups.
About the event
At this event, you will learn more about the scope of the pilot and how we hope you might benefit from involvement.
The Innovate UK Growth Catalyst combines grant funding with aligned private investment through our trusted Investor Partnerships model. Applicants must have established traction with a partner who confirms serious intent to invest—via an indicative offer, due diligence, or a term sheet—and will be asked to identify them as part of their application.
We will explain how you can find out more about, and connect with, our pool of investor partners and explain who can provide you with support to consider if you are ready for investment. We will also explain how to apply to this competition round or prepare for an application in a future round.
About the competition
We will offer successful applicants funding through our proven Investor Partnerships model, together with expert support from IUK Business Growth, IUK Business Connect and Catapults. Specifically, this support will include:
- Funding and Investment – R&D grant funding aligned with, and subject to, private equity investment through our investor partners, helping you to secure the capital you need to grow and innovate at the same time.
- Expert business support – strategic guidance from teams across Innovate UK to build a personalised, milestone-driven business journey that supports you to access the right innovation services at the right time for you.
- Connection – connections to industry experts and research partners to support you to enhance your innovation, explore market opportunities and accelerate business growth.
- Specialist skills and industry infrastructure – learning opportunities in business leadership, innovation management and technical development to refine and improve your business’ capabilities.
This round will focus on technology and innovations that aim to deliver government commitment to clean energy for the UK and accelerating to net zero, helping the UK to prosper from the transition to net zero. This includes solutions and enabling technologies that make a significant contribution to mitigating climate emissions, across heat, power, mobility, manufacturing, materials, agriculture and food production systems.
Related Opportunities
Innovate UK Growth Catalyst for late-stage startups: Clean Energy and Climate Technologies
Opens: 02/05/2025 Closes: 02/07/2025
Innovate UK is piloting a new programme called Growth Catalyst. It seeks to accelerate highly innovative startups on their journey to becoming successful scale-ups and beyond.
More Information
Related programme
Investor Partnerships Future Economy
A three-year initiative to boost Future Economy-focused SMEs through aligning grant funding for R&D development with investment from partnerships with credible investor partners.