Key Features
Grant funding for late-stage R&D projects of up to £2m in size, subject to aligned private investment through Innovate UK’s proven Investor Partnerships funding model. Opening soon.
Programme: Innovate UK
Award: Share of up to £900,000
Opens: 10th Dec 2025
Closes: 3rd Feb 2026
Innovate UK Growth Catalyst is an Innovate UK programme designed to help startups and scaleups with high growth potential to grow faster. This Innovate UK Growth Catalyst competition combines grant funding, aligned private investment and structured support services to help innovators progress through key growth milestones.
This Innovate UK Growth Catalyst competition comprises a £100 million programme to support innovative companies in six of the industry growth sectors identified in the Government’s Industrial Strategy, in addition to a Battery Innovation programme conducted with the Department for Business and Trade. It seeks to support innovative companies seeking to scale in:
It also seeks applications from innovative companies working in foundation industries (typically cross-cutting) that enable the high-growth sectors listed above.
Details of an online briefing about the competition will be available soon here
Growth Catalyst offers a tailored package of funding and support to help you accelerate your journey to scale by:
Innovate UK are looking for applications from UK-registered companies seeking to scale by developing and deploying innovative solutions which will drive business growth in the sectors described above.
You should:
The award process will be on a competitive basis, and awards will follow a portfolio approach towards supporting submissions which best meet our strategic intent. Not all eligible applicants will secure an award.
What the growth catalyst package includes:
Successful applicants receive an integrated support package to accelerate long-term growth, including:
The scope of this competition comprises six of the industry growth sectors identified in the Government’s Industrial Strategy, battery technology as part of the Battery Innovation Programme we are conducting with the Department of Business and Trade (DBT):
Innovate UK are interested in funding specific categories within these growth sectors. You will be able to find out more about these from the Innovation Funding Service application page soon.
Innovate UK welcome applications from across the UK and encourage participation from underrepresented groups and regions.
Your project must fall into one of the following categories:
For feasibility studies and industrial research projects, aligned private investment must be at least equal to the grant amount. This investment does not need to directly fund the project but must be committed to the business before the grant can be made.
For Experimental Development projects,aligned private investment must be at least twice the grant amount. This investment does not need to directly fund the project but must be committed to the business before the grant can be made.
To apply, you must have a confirmed relationship with one of Innovate UK’s approved Investor Partners. See directory of Investor Partners.
Your investor must have expressed serious intent to invest by the application close date, such as, for example, an indicative offer, ongoing due diligence, or a signed term sheet.
You will need to name your Investor Partner within your application. We will contact them to confirm their support and assess how the grant funding would impact their investment decision.
Help to prepare for investment or connecting with suitable investors may be available for suitable potential applicants by:
Up to £900k per company to support late-stage R&D and commercialisation, aligned with private investment from an Innovate UK Investor Partner.
Book an appointment to speak to one of our advisors to discuss your eligibility to apply for this Grant Funding opportunity.
Call 
Back
