As we step into a new year, it’s the ideal moment to explore opportunities that can drive your business forward.
Innovate UK has reopened its Women in Innovation Awards, offering support for female entrepreneurs to turn bold ideas into reality. Alongside this, there are several open calls for industry-based researchers working on transformative projects in artificial intelligence and defence.
Below, you’ll find a selection of funding opportunities worth keeping on your radar to help accelerate your next stage of growth. If you’re unsure how to begin your application, remember our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Ongoing Support
GC Business Finance
GC Business Finance offer flexible funding options from £500 to £100,000 to support businesses at every stage with personal guidance, practical advice and access to The Growth Company’s trusted support services.
GC Business Finance can support you with securing the following funds:
Start Up Loans
Start Up Loans offer £500 to £25,000 in government-backed finance, paired with 12 months of free mentoring and practical business support. The programme is aimed at founders who are starting a business or have been trading for less than 3 years. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Who should apply: Founders starting a new business or been trading for less than 3 years
NPIF II Smaller Loans
NPIF II Smaller Loans provides £25,000 to £100,000 in finance, designed to support SMEs with working capital, expansion, asset acquisition or leasing commercial premises. The scheme includes flexible terms and dedicated one-to-one guidance throughout the application process.
Who should apply: Small and medium-sized businesses across the North West of England looking to grow, invest in assets, or strengthen their working capital.
Need support reviewing your finance options?
The Access to Finance team can provide guidance on available routes, help clarify eligibility, and support businesses preparing funding applications. Contact the A2F team for tailored assistance.
Innovation funding opportunities
Innovation funding opportunities (Closing February)
Women in Innovation Awards 2025/26
Women founders or co-founders with UK registered businesses at the late stage start-up phase can apply for a grant of up to £75,000 and bespoke business support, to further their ambitious growth plans.
Deadline: 4 February 2026 11:00am
Who should apply: Women founders or co-founders with UK registered businesses at the late stage start-up phase.
Innovate UK Growth Catalyst December 2025
Innovate UK Growth Catalyst is an Innovate UK programme designed to help startups and scaleups with high growth potential to grow faster. This Innovate UK Growth Catalyst competition combines grant funding, aligned private investment and structured support services to help innovators progress through key growth milestones.
Deadline: 3 February 2026, 11:00am
Who should apply: Businesses operating within advanced manufacturing, clean energy industries, creative industries, defence and security technologies, digital and technologies, life sciences and batteries.
Innovation funding opportunities (Closing March)
Increasing EV charging capacity on the strategic road network
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £10 million. The funding is for the development and demonstration of solutions to increase public Electric Vehicle (EV) charging provision for longer journeys on the Strategic Road Network (SRN).
Deadline: Wednesday 25 March 2026 11:00am
Who should apply: UK registered businesses with innovative whole systems concepts which address short to medium term grid and operational constraints to EV charging provision.
Open Innovation Calls
DRIVE35 Scale-up Fund
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £150 million to create scale up manufacturing facilities for zero emission vehicle technologies.
Who should apply: Businesses wanting to validate manufacturing capability and commercial viability, with manufacturing facility and process development at pilot scale or demonstration scale.
Isambard-AI and Dawn AIRR supercomputers: Gateway route
Researchers from UK industry can apply to access 10,000 graphics processing unit (GPU) hours on the Isambard-AI and Dawn supercomputers.
Who should apply: UK based researchers from industry looking for computational support for artificial intelligence (AI) related research and development projects, such as: first-time users of AI supercomputing resources, testing of (novel) algorithms, code, and workflows or benchmarking of algorithms, code, and workflows before applying for larger AI Research Resource (AIRR) opportunities
Isambard-AI and Dawn AIRR supercomputers: Rapid Access route
researchers at UK-registered micro, small and medium businesses, can apply to access 20,000 graphics processing unit (GPU) hours on the Isambard-AI and Dawn AI Research Resource (AIRR) supercomputers
Who should apply: This access route supports early-stage development of artificial intelligence (AI) products prior to market launch. Eligible research and development activities include: feasibility studies, industrial research and experimental development
HMGCC National Security Engineering – Inviting Innovation
HMGCC, His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre, the engineering specialists at the heart of the UK’s national security, are inviting innovators & researchers to showcase their best inventions, creations, products and concepts and work with them.
Who should apply: If your work falls under the below categories, HMGCC welcomes you to submit your work/idea
- Quantum Sensing
- Communication Systems
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Edge AI
- Advanced Power Sources
- Radio Frequency Signals and Antennas
- Detection of Security Vulnerabilities
- Identity Protection
- Novel Electronics
- Space
Need Help Applying for Grant Funding?
Applying for grant funding can be daunting; from finding the right fund to preparing an application, support is available to you.
If you’re an innovative business, reach out to your Specialist today, to find out more about how we can help you reach your innovation and business goals in 2025.
Get in touch
Please contact us at 0161 3593050 or query below.
Take that first step and we’ll support you with whatever you need to succeed.
Sign-up to our newsletter
Insights, news, events and opportunities straight to your inbox.