Technology & Software funding
Funding for software, SaaS, AI and digital technology businesses.
174
Funding opportunities
Live & published
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Technology & Software
Industry focus
UK-wide
Coverage
Available funding
Innovate UK Smart Grants
Funding for game-changing, commercially viable R&D innovation that can significantly impact the UK economy.
Innovate UK Innovation Loans
Loans for late-stage R&D projects with a clear route to commercialisation.
R&D Tax Relief
R&D Tax Relief is HMRC's statutory corporation-tax relief for UK companies that take a financial risk in resolving scientific or technological uncertainty. The merged RDEC scheme (accounting periods starting on or after 1 April 2024) gives most companies a 20% above-the-line credit; loss-making R&D-intensive SMEs may instead claim under the ERIS regime at a higher effective rate.
Patent Box
Patent Box lets UK companies elect into a reduced 10% effective corporation-tax rate on profits attributable to qualifying patented inventions and certain other IP rights granted by the UKIPO, EPO or specified EEA equivalents.
Start Up Loan
The Start Up Loan is an unsecured government-backed personal loan of £500–£25,000 (average ~£12k) for UK individuals starting or growing a business that has been trading for under 36 months. It is delivered by Start Up Loans Company, part of the British Business Bank, via accredited Delivery Partners, with a fixed 6% APR and free mentoring for 12 months.
UKEF General Export Facility
Government guarantees that help UK exporters access working capital.
Scottish Enterprise R&D Grant
Grants supporting business-led R&D projects in Scotland.
Accelerated Growth Programme
Tailored support and grant funding for high-growth Welsh businesses.
Invest NI Grant for R&D
Co-funded grant supporting R&D projects by Northern Ireland businesses.
Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS)
SEIS is a UK government tax-incentive scheme that lets very early-stage companies raise up to £250,000 of equity from individual investors, who in turn receive substantial income tax, capital gains and loss-relief benefits. It is the single most generous personal-tax incentive in the UK and is the default first equity instrument for pre-revenue or just-trading startups.
Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS)
EIS is the UK's flagship growth-equity tax incentive: companies under 7 years of trading (or knowledge-intensive companies under 10) can raise up to £5m a year and £12m lifetime from individual investors, who receive 30% income tax relief plus CGT and loss-relief benefits.
Innovate UK EDGE (Legacy Advisory Service)
Specialist innovation and scale-up advice for ambitious UK businesses.
Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)
Part-funded partnership between a business, an academic team and a graduate to deliver a strategic project.
Apprenticeship Levy Transfer
Levy-paying employers can transfer up to 50% of their unused funds to other businesses.
Investors' Relief
Reduced 14% CGT rate on qualifying share disposals to incentivise long-term investment in unlisted companies.
British Patient Capital
UK government-backed investor in venture and growth capital funds that back high-growth UK businesses. Businesses receive equity via portfolio funds, not directly.
R&D Tax Relief for SMEs
Corporation tax relief for UK SMEs carrying out qualifying R&D. Rules and rates changed for accounting periods on or after 1 April 2024 — check current guidance before relying on historical rates.
R&D Expenditure Credit (RDEC)
Above-the-line R&D tax credit historically used by larger companies and now part of the merged R&D scheme. Check current guidance for applicable accounting periods.
SMART: SCOTLAND
Grant for Scotland-based SMEs to undertake technical feasibility studies or R&D projects with strong commercial potential.
Wales Technology Seed Fund
Early-stage equity for Wales-based technology businesses, typically co-investing alongside other investors.
SMART Cymru R&D Funding
Welsh Government R&D funding helping Wales-based businesses develop new or improved products, processes and services.
Co-Fund NI
Equity co-investment fund managed by Clarendon Fund Managers on behalf of Invest NI, investing alongside business angels and other private investors in NI SMEs.
Techstart NI
Early-stage equity and proof-of-concept funding for Northern Ireland startups, backed by Invest NI.
Faraday Battery Challenge
UK programme funding research and innovation to make the UK a leader in design, development and manufacture of electric vehicle batteries.
Advanced Propulsion Centre Collaborative R&D
UK programme funding collaborative R&D in low-carbon automotive propulsion technology, delivered with Innovate UK.
Aerospace Technology Institute Programme
UK joint government and industry programme funding civil aerospace research and technology, delivered with Innovate UK and the Department for Business and Trade.
Skills Bootcamps (England)
Flexible courses (up to 16 weeks) for adults, funded by the Department for Education and delivered by approved providers. Employers can use Skills Bootcamps to upskill existing staff at subsidised rates.
Energy Entrepreneurs Fund
UK grant scheme supporting development and demonstration of energy efficiency, power generation and storage technologies. Run as periodic competition rounds.
Video Games Expenditure Credit
UK corporation tax credit for qualifying expenditure on the production of video games. Replaces Video Games Tax Relief for accounting periods starting on or after 1 January 2024.
LCR Future Innovation Fund
Grant funding to help Liverpool City Region SMEs develop and commercialise innovative products, services or processes.
Catapult Network Support
Access to the UK Catapult Network of technology and innovation centres supporting late-stage R&D and commercialisation.
Tees Valley Investment Zone Business Support
Targeted investment, skills and innovation support linked to the Tees Valley Investment Zone.
BEIA - Birmingham Energy Innovation Accelerator
Innovation support and grants to help SMEs develop and commercialise net-zero energy innovations in the West Midlands.
University of Manchester Innovation Factory
Commercialisation, IP and partnership support for businesses working with the University of Manchester.
UCL Innovation and Enterprise
Commercialisation, knowledge exchange and consultancy support connecting businesses with UCL expertise.
Imperial College Enterprise Lab
Programmes, mentoring and pre-seed support for student, alumni and academic founders building deep-tech businesses.
SETsquared Partnership Scale-Up Programme
University-backed incubation and scale-up support for tech businesses across Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey.
Cambridge Enterprise Commercialisation Support
Technology transfer, licensing and seed funding support linked to the University of Cambridge.
SETsquared Partnership Support
University-backed business acceleration programme across six leading UK universities for tech and research-led startups.
York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub
Business support service for York and North Yorkshire including grants, advice and net-zero support.
Workplace Charging Scheme
Voucher-based UK scheme that covers part of the upfront cost of installing electric vehicle charge points at workplaces.
WMCA Business Energy Advice Service
Free energy assessments and grant funding to help West Midlands SMEs cut energy costs and emissions.
West Yorkshire Business Support Programme
Coordinated business support across Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield including advisory and grant signposting.
West Yorkshire AD:VENTURE Programme
Free business advice, mentoring and grants for early-stage businesses across the Leeds City Region.
Wales Flexible Investment Fund
Larger, longer-tenor debt and equity for established Welsh businesses, providing patient capital for growth.
Wales Business Fund
Loans and equity investments for Wales-based SMEs from the Development Bank of Wales. Replaces previous Welsh business funds.
Venture Capital Trusts (VCT)
Investor-side scheme: VCTs are listed funds that invest in qualifying UK smaller companies; investors get income tax relief and tax-free dividends.
UK Tradeshow Programme support
DBT support helping UK businesses access international tradeshows through guidance, training and signposting.
UK Shared Prosperity Fund
UK-wide fund channelled through local authorities to support local communities, people and businesses. Specific business support varies by area.
UK Games Fund
Grant funding and support for early-stage UK games studios, including the DunDev prototype fund and graduate programmes.
UK Export Academy
Free training programme from the Department for Business and Trade to help UK SMEs build the knowledge and skills to sell internationally.
Start Up Loans
UK government-backed personal loan for people starting or growing a new business (trading less than 36 months). Includes free mentoring.
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Business Support
Business support and grant programmes across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.
South Yorkshire Business Productivity Programme
Fully funded support to help South Yorkshire SMEs improve productivity through leadership, operations and digital advice.
South of Scotland Enterprise — Business Support Pot
Tailored business support, grants and community wealth-building programmes for Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders.
Sheffield City Council Business Support
Business advice, rates information and links to South Yorkshire grant programmes for Sheffield businesses.
Sheffield Business Support
Business advice, premises support and access to regional grant programmes for businesses based in Sheffield.
Scottish Enterprise Account Management
Tailored support for ambitious Scottish companies including advice, grants and international growth support.
Scottish EDGE
Scotland-based competition awarding grant and loan funding plus business support to high-growth early-stage Scottish businesses.
Scottish Development International
International trade and investment support for Scottish businesses delivered by Scottish Enterprise's international arm.
Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
Grant funding for public sector bodies in England to install heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures, administered by Salix on behalf of DESNZ.
Plug-in Van and Truck Grant
Discount applied at point of sale on eligible zero-emission vans, trucks, taxis, motorcycles and wheelchair-accessible vehicles for businesses and individuals. Categories and caps change — check current guidance.
Oxford University Innovation Spinout Support
Commercialisation and spinout support from Oxford University, including IP licensing and venture creation for research-led companies.
Nottingham City Council Business Support
Information and signposting for Nottingham businesses including rates relief and current grant programmes.
North East Growth Hub Support
Free business advice, toolkits and grant signposting for businesses across the North East of England.
Newcastle City Council Business Support
Council business advice, rates information and current grant programmes for Newcastle upon Tyne.
Net Zero Innovation Portfolio
Programme funding innovation in clean energy technologies including hydrogen, storage, CCUS and industrial decarbonisation.
Manchester City Council Business Support
Council business support including advice on premises, rates relief and current grant programmes.
Manchester Business Growth Hub Support
Free and subsidised business support, grants and specialist advice for SMEs across Greater Manchester, delivered by the Growth Company.
Local Net Zero Hubs
Regional hubs supporting local authorities and partners to develop and deliver local net zero and clean energy projects across England.
Liverpool City Region Flexible Growth Fund
Loan and grant finance to support investment by LCR SMEs in growth projects.
Liverpool City Region Business Support
Grant, loan and advisory programmes for SMEs across the Liverpool City Region delivered via the Combined Authority's Growth Platform.
Liverpool City Council Business Support
Information, business rates advice and current grant programmes for Liverpool businesses.
Leicester City Council Business Support
Business advice, rates information and links to current grant schemes for Leicester businesses.
LeedsBID & Leeds City Council Business Support
Business support, premises and growth programmes available to Leeds-based companies through Leeds City Council and partners.
Leeds City Council Business Support
Business advice, employment support and grant signposting from Leeds City Council.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships — Management KTP
A variant of KTP focused on embedding strategic management practice from a UK business school into an SME.
Kent and Medway Growth Hub
Single point of contact for business support and grants in Kent and Medway.
Invest NI Skills Growth Programme
Co-investment programme supporting NI businesses to grow capability through training and skills development linked to growth plans.
Invest NI Selective Financial Assistance
Discretionary capital grant from Invest NI to support investment projects in Northern Ireland that create new jobs or improve productivity.
Invest NI Innovation Vouchers
Small grant that lets NI-based businesses work with a public knowledge provider (universities, colleges, research bodies) on a specific innovation challenge.
Invest NI Business Support
Range of support, grants and programmes for NI businesses including innovation, skills and export.
Invest Bristol and Bath
Inward investment and business support service for Bristol and Bath, signposting current grants and incentives.
Internationalisation Fund (England)
Match-funded grants for England-based SMEs to invest in international growth activity such as market research, translation, trade fairs and international marketing. Availability and rules may change — check current DBT guidance.
ICURe Innovate Programme
Market discovery programme funding university researchers to test commercial potential of their research and form spinouts.
Horizon Europe (UK participation)
UK participation in Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, with UKRI guarantee where applicable.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise — Business Support Pot
Account-managed support, grants and property assistance for businesses across the Highlands and Islands.
Higher Education Innovation Funding
Block funding to English universities to support knowledge exchange with business and society; SMEs benefit via partner universities.
Help to Grow: Management
12-week subsidised management training programme for senior leaders of UK SMEs, delivered by accredited business schools. Government covers 90% of the course fee.
Heat Network Efficiency Scheme
Capital and revenue grants to improve the performance of existing district heating and communal heat networks in England and Wales.
Green Heat Network Fund
Capital grant scheme supporting the commercialisation and construction of new low-carbon heat networks in England.
Export Working Capital Scheme
UKEF partial guarantee to a UK exporter's bank to support working capital facilities tied to specific export contracts.
Export Insurance Policy
UKEF insurance that covers UK exporters against the risk of not being paid under an export contract due to political or commercial events.
Eureka Eurostars (UK)
International R&D funding for innovative SMEs collaborating across Eurostars member countries, with UK funding from Innovate UK.
Enterprising Barnsley Business Support
Council-led business support team offering account management, grants and property advice for Barnsley-based businesses.
ENABLE Funding (wholesale)
Wholesale programme that supports smaller lenders, asset finance providers and challenger banks to lend more to UK smaller businesses. Businesses receive funding indirectly via accredited partners.
DSL Business Finance (Microfinance Scotland)
Scotland-focused responsible finance lender providing microloans to small businesses unable to access mainstream bank finance.
DigitalBoost
Free digital skills programme for Scottish businesses, providing 1:1 expert advice, webinars and digital health checks. Delivered by Business Gateway and Scottish Enterprise.
DBT International Trade Advisers
Free one-to-one export advice for UK SMEs from DBT International Trade Advisers across English regions.
D2N2 Growth Hub Business Support
Free, impartial business support across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Cumbria Business Growth Hub
Free, impartial business support service for Cumbria including signposting to grants and specialist programmes.
Coventry City Council Business Support
Council business support and signposting to West Midlands grant programmes for Coventry businesses.
Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support
Single front door for business support, grants and specialist advice across Coventry and Warwickshire.
Cambridge Enterprise Spinout Support
University of Cambridge commercialisation arm providing IP licensing, consultancy and seed funding for spinouts.
Business Wales Core Advisory Service
Free business advice, start-up support and access to current grant schemes for businesses in Wales.
Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme
Welsh Government programme providing intensive 1:1 support to high-growth-potential Welsh businesses. Not direct cash funding.
Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub
Free business support service for Greater Lincolnshire including adviser support and current grant programmes.
Business Growth West Midlands
Single front door connecting West Midlands businesses to growth hubs, sector specialists and current grant schemes.
Business Gateway Local Growth Advice
Free local business support across Scotland — startup workshops, advisers and access to grants delivered by local authorities through Business Gateway.
Bristol City Council Business Support
Business support, premises and growth signposting for Bristol businesses via the City Council and West of England partners.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (Non-domestic — small businesses)
UK government grant for replacing fossil-fuel heating systems with heat pumps or biomass boilers in eligible English and Welsh properties, including small non-domestic premises within scheme rules.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Grants towards installing low-carbon heating systems such as heat pumps and biomass boilers in eligible properties in England and Wales.
Birmingham City Council Business Support
Council-led information, advice and signposting for businesses in Birmingham, including current grant schemes.
Birmingham Business Support
Business advice, grants and growth support delivered by Birmingham City Council and partners for SMEs based in Birmingham.
Apprenticeship Funding (England)
Government funding to help English employers take on apprentices. Levy-paying employers fund apprenticeships through their levy account; non-levy employers receive co-investment from the government.
Digital Catapult Machine Intelligence Garage
Digital Catapult Machine Intelligence Garage. AI and machine learning startups needing access to compute, expertise, and ethics support.
Connected Places Catapult SME Accelerators
Connected Places Catapult SME Accelerators. UK SMEs in mobility, smart cities, and built environment. Cohort-based accelerator programmes.
Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult Open Calls
Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult Open Calls. UK companies developing applications of compound semiconductor technology.
DASA Open Call for Innovation
DASA Open Call for Innovation. UK-based companies and academics with defence and security innovation. Rolling submissions.
DASA Themed Competitions
DASA Themed Competitions. UK-based businesses and researchers responding to specific defence and security challenges.
Octopus Titan VCT
Octopus Titan VCT. UK early-stage technology businesses raising equity. Octopus invests via the Titan VCT (HMRC-approved Venture Capital Trust).
Octopus Future Generations VCT
Octopus Future Generations VCT. UK companies aligned with positive social or environmental outcomes raising equity from a VCT.
Foresight Williams Technology VCT
Foresight Williams Technology VCT. UK technology businesses leveraging advanced engineering or data. Co-managed with Williams Advanced Engineering.
Foresight Enterprise VCT
Foresight Enterprise VCT. UK SMEs raising VCT-qualifying growth capital across sectors.
Mercia EIS Fund
Mercia EIS Fund. UK early-stage businesses eligible for EIS. Mercia invests typically £250k–£2m at seed and Series A.
Maven Income & Growth VCT
Maven Income & Growth VCT. UK SMEs raising VCT-qualifying capital, typically £500k–£10m, across regional UK markets.
Triple Point Venture VCT
Triple Point Venture VCT. UK B2B technology startups raising seed/Series A VCT-qualifying capital.
Calculus VCT
Calculus VCT. UK companies raising VCT-qualifying capital, typically £1m–£5m, across selected sectors.
Albion VCTs
Albion VCTs. UK growth companies in software, healthcare, and digital infrastructure raising £2m–£10m+.
Praetura EIS Growth Fund
Praetura EIS Growth Fund. UK Northern-based EIS-qualifying companies raising early-stage equity, typically £500k–£3m.
BGF Growth Capital
BGF Growth Capital. UK and Irish SMEs with turnover £1m+ raising minority growth equity (£1m–£15m initially).
Hambro Perks Co-Investment
Hambro Perks Co-Investment. UK and European early-stage technology companies raising seed and Series A capital.
IP Group Deep Tech Investments
IP Group Deep Tech Investments. UK university spinouts in deep tech, life sciences, cleantech raising founding and growth equity.
Parkwalk Advisors University Spinout Funds
Parkwalk Advisors University Spinout Funds. UK university spinouts (Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, Bristol and partners) raising EIS-qualifying equity.
Northern Gritstone Investment Fund
Northern Gritstone Investment Fund. Spinouts from Universities of Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield in IP-rich science and technology.
Oxford Science Enterprises Investment
Oxford Science Enterprises Investment. Spinouts from the University of Oxford in deep tech, life sciences, and health.
Cambridge Innovation Capital Investment
Cambridge Innovation Capital Investment. Cambridge-cluster deep-tech and life-science companies. Builds long-term positions in founding and growth rounds.
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Growth Works
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Growth Works. SMEs based in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough seeking scale-up support, grants and skills.
Cardiff Capital Region Challenge Fund
Cardiff Capital Region Challenge Fund. Businesses in the ten-council Cardiff Capital Region addressing regional priority challenges.
Belfast Region City Deal Innovation Pillar
Belfast Region City Deal Innovation Pillar. Businesses across six Belfast Region councils engaging with innovation, digital, and tourism pillars.
Derry City & Strabane City Deal Programmes
Derry City & Strabane City Deal Programmes. Businesses in Derry City and Strabane District accessing City Deal innovation and regeneration projects.
Edinburgh & SE Scotland Data Driven Innovation
Edinburgh & SE Scotland Data Driven Innovation. Businesses across Edinburgh and South-East Scotland engaging with the Data Driven Innovation programme.
Innovation Accelerator Programme
Innovation Accelerator Programme. Businesses and research organisations in Glasgow, Greater Manchester, and West Midlands clusters.
Horizon Europe — EIC Pathfinder
Horizon Europe — EIC Pathfinder. UK research organisations and deep-tech startups participating as associated country partners in EIC Pathfinder.
Horizon Europe — EIC Accelerator
Horizon Europe — EIC Accelerator. UK SMEs and small midcaps progressing breakthrough innovations toward market via grant + equity blended finance.
Innovate UK Launchpads
Innovate UK Launchpads. UK SMEs in designated regional innovation clusters across digital, net-zero, cyber, agri-tech and creative sectors.
Innovate UK ICURe Programme
Innovate UK ICURe Programme. UK university researchers exploring commercial potential of research via market discovery.
Innovate UK Analysis for Innovators (A4I)
Innovate UK Analysis for Innovators (A4I). UK businesses with measurement/analysis problems matched with national laboratory expertise.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP). UK businesses partnering with universities and a graduate associate on a strategic innovation project.
Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (aKT)
Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (aKT). UK businesses partnering with an academic to deliver a 4-month feasibility-style KTP.
Innovate UK Contracts for Innovation (SBRI)
Innovate UK Contracts for Innovation (SBRI). UK businesses bidding for contracted R&D to address public sector challenges via SBRI competitions.
Innovate UK Investor Partnerships
Innovate UK Investor Partnerships. UK businesses raising equity from approved investors, with co-funding from Innovate UK for R&D.
National Quantum Computing Centre Programmes
National Quantum Computing Centre Programmes. UK quantum-computing researchers, hardware developers and end-users accessing NQCC programmes and testbeds.
UKRI Quantum Missions Pilot Competition
UKRI Quantum Missions Pilot Competition. UK consortia advancing quantum technology toward the five National Quantum Missions.
UK Tech Hub Network — Export Missions
UK Tech Hub Network — Export Missions. UK technology businesses joining DBT-led export missions and overseas tech hubs.
Global Entrepreneur Programme
Global Entrepreneur Programme. Overseas-domiciled high-potential entrepreneurs relocating headquarters to the UK.
Regional Angels Programme
A British Business Bank programme that channels capital to angel investor groups across the UK, with a focus on regions outside London.
Enterprise Capital Funds
British Business Bank programme co-investing alongside private venture capital fund managers to address the equity gap for high-potential early-stage UK SMEs.
British Patient Capital Co-Investment
British Patient Capital Co-Investment. UK high-growth companies raising late-stage rounds via BPC fund and direct co-investments.
Future Fund: Breakthrough
A government-backed co-investment programme designed to support high-growth, R&D-intensive UK companies through large private funding rounds.
Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards
Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards. Women-led UK businesses with innovative ideas. £75k grant + 12 months bespoke mentoring.
Innovate UK Young Innovators Award
Innovate UK Young Innovators Award. UK entrepreneurs aged 18–30 with high-potential innovative businesses.
Global Business Innovation Programme
Global Business Innovation Programme. UK innovative SMEs exploring international markets via cohort missions to selected countries and sectors.
Eureka Eurostars
Innovate UK / Eureka grant for SME-led international collaborative R&D projects developing innovative products, processes or services.
Innovate UK Business Connect Networks
Innovate UK Business Connect Networks. UK innovators of any stage accessing Innovate UK Business Connect networks, events and partnering.
Innovate UK Fast Start
Innovate UK Fast Start. UK SMEs with disruptive innovation ideas seeking initial proof-of-concept funding via competitive call.
Innovate UK Feasibility Studies
Innovate UK funding for early-stage technical and commercial feasibility studies.
Innovate UK Collaborative R&D
Innovate UK Collaborative R&D. UK consortia (at least two organisations including an SME) delivering industrial R&D projects.
Scottish EDGE Round Competition
Scottish EDGE Round Competition. Scotland-based entrepreneurs with high-growth ambition. Equity-free funding awarded by competition.
Scottish Enterprise By Design Service
Scottish Enterprise By Design Service. Scotland-based ambitious businesses adopting design-led innovation through a co-funded service.
Development Bank of Wales Tech Seed Fund
Development Bank of Wales Tech Seed Fund. Wales-based technology startups raising up to £350k of seed equity.
Techstart NI Co-Investment
Techstart NI Co-Investment. Northern Ireland startups raising up to £1.25m of seed equity via Techstart NI funds.
Innovate UK BridgeAI
Innovate UK BridgeAI. UK businesses in priority sectors adopting AI through partnered support, grant calls and bootcamps.
Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund Calls (Open)
Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund Calls (Open). UK industrial R&D consortia responding to open Challenge Fund competitions.