Innovate UK Venture Builder Pilot Expression of Interest

Innovate UK offers up to £150,000 per small business to support new deep-tech spin-outs. The grant focuses on three areas: Frontier AI, Engineering Biology, or Advanced Materials & Manufacturing. The money helps new companies develop their technology and raise their first major investment. This is an Expression of Interest stage, so you need to apply in two stages. The deadline for expressions of interest is 22 May 2026. Only businesses in England can apply. You must be a small or medium-sized enterprise working in one of the three technology areas.

This grant is for small and medium-sized enterprises in England creating new deep-tech spin-out companies. You must work in Frontier AI, Engineering Biology, or Advanced Materials & Manufacturing. It is designed for very early-stage companies looking to raise their first significant investment.

Up to £150,000 per SME to support new deep-tech spin-outs in Frontier AI, Engineering Biology, or Advanced Materials & Manufacturing, and to help them in raising their first significant investment. This is the Expression of Interest stage of the competition.

This is a two-stage process starting with an Expression of Interest. You need to submit your expression of interest by 22 May 2026. Full application details will follow if your expression of interest is successful.