UK registered SMEs can apply for grant funding alongside private investment from selected investor partners under this scheme. But hurry because the competition closes Tuesday 3rd February 2026.

A minimum of £100 million has been allocated to fund innovation projects in this competition. This is subject to Innovate UK receiving a sufficient number of high quality applications. Funding will be in the form of a grant.

Innovate UK Growth Catalyst is an integrated package of funding and support, designed to help accelerate high-potential start-ups on their journey to becoming scale-ups and beyond.

This Growth Catalyst competition is targeted at growth-oriented start-ups from seed to Series A, with the funding element delivered through Innovate UK's proven Investor Partnerships model, and expert support available from our Innovate UK Business Growth Innovation and Growth Specialists, Innovate UK Business Connect, and the Catapults.

For more information the Suitability Checker can help you make a better-informed decision about whether to apply. It takes only a few minutes to complete and will help you understand quickly if your application is likely to be suitable for consideration. The Suitability Checker is a standalone tool and not part of the application process.

For more information click here.