How should a UK deep-tech founder sequence funding?

Validate with ICURe or a Catapult scoping project, then layer grants, equity and reliefs.

Most successful deep-tech businesses combine early market validation (ICURe / accelerator), grant-funded R&D (Innovate UK), tax relief (RDEC/ERIS) and patient equity (EIS-led angels, then growth equity, then patient capital). Sequence matters more than total grant value.