What is Innovate UK?

Innovate UK is a government agency that spends tens of millions of pounds of funding every year helping businesses grow through the development and commercialisation of new products, processes and services.

Since 2007, Innovate UK has invested in over 24,600 projects involving over 20,500 unique organisations, helping to create more than 150,000 jobs.

The South East region has seen one of the highest rates of supported businesses in recent years - and Buckinghamshire's businesses can make sure they are not missing out on their share.

What does Innovate UK fund?

At any given time, there are circa 25 live funding opportunities available on the funding finder tool that filters current opportunities.

There is a wide range of funding available. Four current examples of funding available show the variety on offer:

• Farming Innovation Programme - up to £4.8million for feasibility projects
• Eureka GlobalStars Japan - funding to collaborate on industrial research projects with overseas partners
• DRIVE35 Scale-Up Fund - a share of up to £150 million to create scale up manufacturing facilities for zero emission vehicle technologies
• Isambard-AI and Dawn AIRR supercomputers - supporting early-stage development of artificial intelligence (AI) products prior to market launch

AI Skills Hub

The AI Skills Hub is an Innovate UK platform designed to support learning and development in AI. It offers access to curated training materials, sector-specific insights, and personalised learning pathways. The platform allows users to create their own tailored training pathway based on their role, experience, and interests.

With AI skills gaps being widely reported, and a lack of organisations training their workforce due to time and cost restraints, and a lack of tailored training available, the AI Skills Hub is designed to help address these challenges. While it is initially aimed at those working in four selected sectors - agriculture and food processing; construction; creative industries; and transport, warehousing, and logistics - a lot of the content will be valuable beyond these sectors.

Learn more about how AI is (or isn't) being used in the workplace, what support or training could improve adoption, and which skills are most needed to prepare for the future, at two webinars on 18th November from 11am-12 noon, and on 20th November from 4pm - 5pm (booking is via the Natter app). There is also an in-person AI upskilling session in London on 1st December that tackles sector-specific challenges using leading AI tools.

To provide insight into AI skills needs and adoption within your organisation and sector, complete a short survey to share feedback on the Hub.

Innovate UK Business Connect

Innovate UK Business Connect brings together innovators and new partners and opportunities. They host hundreds of events throughout the year, ranging from competition briefing events to networking and showcase events.

As part of this, Innovate UK Business Growth is a publicly-funded service available to all high potential small to medium-sized innovation-driven companies.

Innovate UK Launchpads

Innovate UK’s Launchpad programme is aimed at supporting SMEs and the most innovative businesses to progress their ideas toward commercialisation. Launchpad competitions run at various times of the year, so check out the main Launchpads page here to see what's available now.

Each Launchpad region benefits from various forms of support such as funding for research and development, opportunities for networking and collaboration, and access to innovation specialists. Don't be put off by the fact the Launchpads are in other regions of the UK - these are national competitions that are open to any business. The projects themselves will need to be deployed in the Launchpad regions, but Buckinghamshire businesses can apply for funding to deliver those projects.

There are certain themes under which projects will need to fall: net zero industry, digital technologies, health technologies, bio-based manufacturing, health and life sciences, immersive & creative industries, agri-tech and food technology, marine and maritime, and agri-food.

Learn more about Innovate UK Launchpads here.

Further support and guidance 

Learn more about other funding opportunities and programmes that support innovative ideas and business growth.

Sign up for email alerts

Stay informed with tailored updates about funding, events, and sector-specific opportunities. Sign up for Innovate UK email alerts here.

Innovate UK is part of UK Research and Investment (UKRI)

UK Research and Investment (UKRI) is the over-arching body that directs research and innovation funding through a series of agencies, including Innovate UK.

See the full list of agencies that are part of UKRI here, and filter current funding opportunities across all UKRI agencies.

BBF can help you find the right support through Innovate UK

The recent launch of the government’s Business Growth Service has increased the strength and reach of Buckinghamshire Business First’s support, including when it comes to Innovate UK, with whom we regularly work in partnership on events and promotion of support.

Our experienced advisers can help you understand what kind of support and funding you may need, and put you in touch with the right people at Innovate UK to ensure you get off on the right foot from the start.

Email [email protected]. call 01494 927130, or fill out this quick form to book a chat with one of the team.