Startup Grants UK
Innovation Funding for UK Companies
The UK has over £900m/year in innovation grants for startups and SMEs — from Innovate UK and SBRI to Horizon Europe and sector-specific funds. FundRobin helps you find and apply for the right ones.
Used by UK tech startups, social enterprises, and innovative SMEs to access non-dilutive funding.
Key UK Startup Grant Programmes
The UK innovation funding landscape spans national bodies, sector funds, and regional programmes. Here are the main routes for startups.
Innovate UK
The UK's national innovation funding body awards over £900m/year to innovative businesses. Competitions span AI, clean tech, health tech, agri-tech, manufacturing, and creative industries — from feasibility studies to full R&D projects.
SBRI — Small Business Research Initiative
Government departments commission innovative SMEs to solve public sector challenges. Phase 1 feasibility: £50–100K. Phase 2 development: up to £1M. Open to startups with no prior contracts required.
Horizon Europe
The EU's flagship R&D programme remains open to UK organisations (as third-country participants) for collaborative research projects. ERC grants, Marie Curie fellowships, and EIC Accelerator are accessible to UK companies.
Local Growth Hubs
England has 38 Local Enterprise Partnerships operating local growth hubs with grants for regional SMEs — covering capital investment, skills development, and innovation. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have equivalent regional programmes.
Sector-Specific Funds
Dedicated funds cover specific sectors: Biomedical Catalyst (life sciences), DESNZ (energy), ARIA (advanced research), and programmes from DCMS, MOD, and the Home Office for relevant technology startups.
R&D Tax Credits
Not strictly a grant, but the UK's R&D tax relief scheme (SME R&D relief and RDEC) effectively refunds up to 33% of qualifying R&D expenditure. Most innovative startups qualify without realising it.
How FundRobin Helps UK Startups Win Innovation Grants
Find the right competitions
Innovate UK runs dozens of sector-specific competitions each quarter. FundRobin monitors all open calls and surfaces the ones your startup is eligible for — by sector, stage, and technology.
Write stronger applications
Innovation grant applications require specific evidence of market need, innovation credibility, and team capability. Smart Proposal structures your application to address each scoring criterion.
Track multiple applications
Most funded startups run 3–5 grant applications simultaneously. FundRobin tracks all of them — deadlines, status, contacts, and decisions — in one dashboard.
Build your funding strategy
Grant funding works best as part of a broader strategy. FundRobin helps you map a multi-year funding roadmap — combining Innovate UK, SBRI, sector funds, and investor capital.
UK Startup Grants — FAQs
Find the right UK innovation grants for your startup
FundRobin monitors Innovate UK, SBRI, and 12,000+ other funders — and surfaces the competitions your startup is eligible for. Start your 30-day free trial today.
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