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.

Driving investment into high-growth innovative UK companies

The Investor Partnership Programme is a unique opportunity for high-growth, innovative UK companies to access the funding they need to thrive and succeed. This programme is designed to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are working on cutting-edge technology in the Innovate UK Future Economy areas of:

  • Net Zero
  • Healthy Living and Agriculture
  • Digital and Technologies
  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Innovate UK has and continues to partner with a diverse group of credible investor partners, including venture capital funds, corporate investors, business angel groups, and social impact investors from the UK, Europe, and the US. These investors are committed to supporting innovative companies and providing the financing they need to grow and scale.

Past programmes and impact

In 15 investor partnership programmes between 2017 and March 2022

Grant funding to SMEs

£42.8m

Grant funding to SMEs

Aligned equity investment

£123m

Aligned equity investment

Additional partner investment

£373m

Additional partner investment

The Investor Partnership Programme

Innovate UK has launched the Investor Partnerships Programme to provide funding for highly innovative micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the research and development field who require equity funding to develop their technology.

The programme will encourage businesses to seek equity investment and grow their businesses. Innovate UK has chosen investor partners such as venture capital funds, corporate investors, business angel groups, and social impact investors from the UK, Europe, and the US.

For more information and support with your application, click here.

The DCMS Create Growth programme also offers investor partnerships to SMEs, working in creative industries in most areas of England other than Greater London.

Investors can apply to become one of Innovate UK’s investor partners through an application process.

Related Opportunities

Investor Partnerships: Investor Selection September 2024

Opens: 09/09/2024   Closes: 20/11/2024

Investors can apply to partner with Innovate UK to support innovative SMEs through investment and collaboration.

More Information

Investor Partnerships in digital technologies, North East: Rd 1

Opens: 04/11/2024   Closes: 11/12/2024

Grant funding for SME innovation projects, alongside investment from selected investor partners, in the digital technologies cluster in North East England

More Information

Investor Partnerships in health technologies, West Yorkshire: Rd 1

Opens: 04/11/2024   Closes: 11/12/2024

Grant funding for SME innovation projects, alongside investment from selected investor partners, in the health technology cluster in West Yorkshire

More Information

Investors

This directory provides summary information on the investors selected by Innovate UK as our pool of investor partners. For each investor partners it provides information on their main area of interest and how you should make contact. Each investor partner has demonstrated that they have the credibility, capability, capacity and appetite to invest in innovative, technology-led businesses that align with our investor partnership programmes.

Bloc Ventures

Bloc Ventures is an early-stage venture capital investment company, focused on deep tech companies in the UK and Europe.

More Information

Boundary Capital Partners

Boundary Capital Partners LLP is an impact, for-profit, B2B technology investor.

More Information

LCR Ventures Limited

Our funding is for Liverpool City Region (LCR) based startups.

More Information

Chrysalix Venture Capital

Chrysalix is a global venture capital firm that specialises in transformational industrial innovation.

More Information

Our Experts

Related Events and Recordings

Tue
17
Sep
2024

Investor Selection - Applicant Briefing Webinar

14.00 - 16.00 | Online

Watch now
See all events

Join the community

The community will be a conduit for investors, high growth companies and government funding initiatives with missions to shape the future economy to better highlight, amplify and fund technologies and companies solving the pressing issues of our economies.

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