Deadline Date: May 22, 2026
The Innovate UK is seeking grant applications to bridge the gap between validated customer discovery and investment readiness by supporting spin-out companies to become investor-ready and secure their first investment.
The focus areas of the programme include supporting disruptive innovation, enabling high-growth potential spin-outs, strengthening investment readiness, developing specialised and scalable technologies, building proof points for investors, removing barriers to fundraising, and advancing projects within key Industrial Strategy technology sectors such as Frontier AI, Engineering Biology, and Advanced Materials and Manufacturing.
This initiative is designed to support newly formed spin-out companies that demonstrate early-stage high-growth potential and require structured funding support to transition from validated concepts to investment-ready businesses. The programme specifically targets companies that are developing innovative technologies and require significant backing to accelerate their commercialisation journey.
Applicants to the programme may request grant funding of up to £150,000 at stage two. This funding must be used to advance the business into an investable proposition by creating demonstrable evidence that can be assessed by investors or by removing key barriers that would otherwise prevent the company from raising its first funding round.
Eligible spin-outs must provide evidence of market traction from at least one potential customer, partner, or industrial collaborator. In addition, the intellectual property must originate from UK universities, public sector research establishments, or research institutes, ensuring strong research-driven innovation.
The programme is specifically aligned with UK Industrial Strategy technology sectors, requiring projects to focus on at least one of Frontier AI, Engineering Biology, or Advanced Materials and Manufacturing. This ensures alignment with national priorities in advanced technology development and innovation-led growth.
To be eligible, applicants must be UK-registered micro, small, or medium-sized enterprises created within the last 24 months, or formally incorporated by a specified deadline if not classified as an SME. The lead applicant must have completed the ICURe Exploit programme or an equivalent market validation programme within the last 24 months. A signed supporting statement from a Technology Transfer Office or equivalent programme provider is also required.
Applicants must have already completed rigorous market and customer validation and must not have received more than £100,000 in previous investor funding, including convertible loans or institutional support. They must also meet all eligibility requirements for stage two of the programme if selected.
Through this initiative, selected spin-outs receive structured support to strengthen their commercial positioning, validate investor-ready milestones, and accelerate their pathway toward securing early-stage investment.
For more information, visit GOV.UK.
