Opportunities
Positive change is driven through new ideas and innovation. But innovation is complex. Sometimes projects need to be connected with new opportunities or looked at from new perspectives to make the difference. This is where Innovate UK Business Connect comes in.
If you’re looking for experienced input into your idea, product, service, research or challenge, then invite us to get involved. We will not only work with you in understanding your market or challenge but will also direct you to the latest opportunities available, and how you can apply.
Find out how Innovate UK Business Connect can support your application or help you find partners.
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Sectors:
British Business Bank Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II
Apply anytime
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II will deliver a £660 million commitment of new funding to smaller businesses.
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ICURe Explore programme cohorts
ICURe Explore cohort programmes throughout 2024 and 2025
Innovate UK ICURe Explore is a fast-paced, full-time, 12-week market exploration programme. Up to £35,000 for Entrepreneurial Lead’s salary and costs.
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ICURe Discover programme cohorts
ICURe Discover cohorts run from April 2025 to end March 2026
Innovate UK ICURe Discover is a part-time online market exploration programme for researchers and technicians, with up to £2,500 support for market discovery activities. It is a pre-requisite to attend ICURe Discover if you wish to apply for ICURe Explore or Exploit.
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Henry Royce Institute: Access Schemes
Open indefinitely
Find out how you can access state of the art equipment and facilities thorough the Henry Royce Institute Access Schemes.
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British Business Bank Investment Fund for Wales
Applications open year-round
Offers a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans £25k-£100k, debt finance £100k-£2m, and equity investment up to £5m.
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British Business Bank Investment Fund for Northern Ireland
Applications open year-round
The Fund offers two different commercial finance options: loans ranging from £25,000 to £2 million, and equity investments up to £5 million.
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British Business Bank Growth Guarantee Scheme
Applications open year-round
The Growth Guarantee Scheme can generally support loan sizes of up to £2m and provides the lender with a 70% government-backed guarantee.
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UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund
Applications accepted year-round
UKI2S invests in innovations from the UK’s science and knowledge base, specialising in engineering biology, defence & security, fusion energy, and space.
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SMART: SCOTLAND grants for feasibility studies for SMEs
Applications accepted year-round
The SMART: SCOTLAND grant, for SMEs in Scotland, supports feasibility studies for high-risk, highly ambitious R&D projects.
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ICURe Engage programme cohorts
ICURe engage cohort programmes throughout 2024 and 2025
Innovate UK ICURe Engage is a 4-week, part-time programme which helps you identify who could benefit from your research, and the benefits of entrepreneurship.
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European Space Agency: Maritime Decarbonisation
Opens 01/06/2024
Closes: 16/05/2025
ESA seeks to support development of sustainable space-based services and applications related to maritime decarbonisation.
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AI Skills for Business Competency Framework & Resources
Open indefinitely
Empower your business with AI skills using the Innovate UK BridgeAI AI Skills for Business Competency Framework. Developed by The Alan Turing Institute, this resource guides employers and training providers in understanding AI competencies, upskilling their workforce, and fostering talent. Explore now for invaluable insights.
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BridgeAI Standards Community
Open indefinitely
Harness the power of AI responsibly through standards support
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Discover Digital Transformation Training Programme
Short courses, various dates
Explore the potential of your business with the Discover Digital Transformation Training Programme by STFC Hartree Centre.
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Space4Rail ESA open call
Rolling deadline, c. 3 month turnaround, closing Dec 2025
Funding to support the use of space-based assets to improve the European Rail system
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Bespoke AI and Data Science Advice for SMEs
Opens 23/01/2025
Closes: 30/07/2025
Get personalised AI advice for your small to medium-sized business from The Alan Turing Institute’s team of independent scientific advisors.
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The Turing Way Handbook
Open indefinitely
Discover The Turing Way Handbook on data science from The Alan Turing Institute, an Innovate UK BridgeAI programme resource. The project offers a series of openly developed online guides that share over 300 chapters on best practices and skills for reproducible, ethical, collaborative, and inclusive data science and artificial intelligence.
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Access to Hartree Centre Training Portal
Open indefinitely
Accelerate your digital expertise with the Hartree Centre Training Portal, from Science and Technology Facilities Council, as part of Innovate UK’s BridgeAI programme.
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Horizon Europe Guarantee - EIT KICs 2023
Opens 12/05/2023
Closes: 22/11/2025
This funding route is to deliver the UK Government’s Horizon Europe guarantee, covering funding for UK partners involved in EIT-KIC activities in 2023.
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