Investor Partnerships Future Economy
A three-year initiative to boost Future Economy-focused SMEs through aligning grant funding for R&D development with investment from partnerships with credible investor partners.
Driving investment into high-growth innovative UK companies
The Investor Partnership Programme is a unique opportunity for high-growth, innovative UK companies to access the funding they need to thrive and succeed. This programme is designed to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are working on cutting-edge technology in the Innovate UK Future Economy areas of:
- Net Zero
- Healthy Living and Agriculture
- Digital and Technologies
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Innovate UK has and continues to partner with a diverse group of credible investor partners, including venture capital funds, corporate investors, business angel groups, and social impact investors from the UK, Europe, and the US. These investors are committed to supporting innovative companies and providing the financing they need to grow and scale.
Past programmes and impact
In 15 investor partnership programmes between 2017 and March 2022
£42.8m
Grant funding to SMEs
£123m
Aligned equity investment
£373m
Additional partner investment
The Investor Partnership Programme
Innovate UK has launched the Investor Partnerships Programme to provide funding for highly innovative micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the research and development field who require equity funding to develop their technology.
The programme will encourage businesses to seek equity investment and grow their businesses. Innovate UK has chosen investor partners such as venture capital funds, corporate investors, business angel groups, and social impact investors from the UK, Europe, and the US.
The programme will be focused on specific themes for future economy areas that include net zero, health and wellbeing, and critical circular materials, among others.
For more information and support with your application, click here.
Future Economy Investor Partnerships SME round 5 is open to SME applications from 26 October 2023: click here for details. Applications close on 8 January 2024.
The DCMS Create Growth programme also offers investor partnerships to SMEs, working in creative industries in most areas of England other than Greater London: the current round is open from 26 October 2023 to 10 January 2024. Click here for details.
Investors can apply to become one of Innovate UK’s investor partners through an application process. The most recent round closed on 20 September 2023: click here for archived details.
Investors
This directory provides summary information on the investors selected by Innovate UK as our pool of investor partners. For each investor partners it provides information on their main area of interest and how you should make contact. Each investor partner has demonstrated that they have the credibility, capability, capacity and appetite to invest in innovative, technology-led businesses that align with our investor partnership programmes.
Bloc Ventures
Bloc Ventures is an early-stage venture capital investment company, focused on deep tech companies in the UK and Europe.
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Boundary Capital Partners
Boundary Capital Partners LLP is an impact, for-profit, B2B technology investor.
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LCR Ventures Limited
Our funding is for Liverpool City Region (LCR) based startups.
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Chrysalix Venture Capital
Chrysalix is a global venture capital firm that specialises in transformational industrial innovation.
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Our Experts
Related Opportunities
Innovate UK Investor Partnerships: SME round 5
Opens: 26/10/2023 Closes: 08/01/2024
UK registered businesses can apply for grant funding alongside private investment from selected investor partners.
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DCMS Create Growth Programme competition 2: investor partnership
Opens: 26/10/2023 Closes: 10/01/2024
UK registered creative SMEs in 12 specific English regions can apply for grant funding alongside private investment from selected investor partners to support growth.
More Information
Knowledge transfer partnerships (KTP) 2023 to 2024 Round 6
Opens: 06/11/2023 Closes: 31/01/2024
UK registered academic institutions, RTOs or Catapults can apply for a share of up to £9 million to fund innovation projects with businesses or not for profits.
More Information
Join the community
The community will be a conduit for investors, high growth companies and government funding initiatives with missions to shape the future economy to better highlight, amplify and fund technologies and companies solving the pressing issues of our economies.
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