Engineering Biology Investor Partnerships: Round 1
Innovate UK (UKRI) · Innovation grant (with aligned investment)
$2.7MGrant of £250,000–£2M (~$2.7M max), up to 45% of costs for micro/small firms, matched by investor funding of at least 2x the grant; £8M pot
Innovate UK grant for UK engineering biology SMEs that pairs non-dilutive funding with aligned investment led by an investor from Innovate UK's investor pool.
Key terms
- Single applicant: a UK-registered SME doing the work in the UK
- Grant £250,000–£2M for a 24-month project; up to 45% (micro/small) or 35% (medium) of costs
- Award depends on securing aligned investment from a pool investor of at least twice the grant, via new shares or convertible debt
- You can apply before speaking to an investor, but early dialogue is encouraged
- Closes 2 Dec 2026, 11:00 UK time
Eligibility
- Where
- United Kingdom
- Stages
- seed, series-a
- Needs VC/accelerator backing
- Yes
- Needs partner referral code
- No
- Must be incorporated
- Yes
- AI focus required
- No
- Students / researchers
- Not eligible
- Nonprofits
- Not eligible
Also required
- Aligned investment from an Innovate UK pool investor required
How to apply
Apply on the Innovation Funding Service before 11:00 UK time on the closing date.
- Benefit
- cash
- Equity-free
- Yes
- Decision time
- —
- Credit validity
- —
- Deadline
- 2026-12-02
- Status
- Open
Verified 2026-11-05 · source
More: Government grants for startups · Startup programs in the United Kingdom
Guide: Startup grants in the UK (2026): open Innovate UK competitions, R&D tax relief and EU calls