Innovate UK is offering small and micro businesses a share of up to £30million in grants alongside tailored business support delivered by Innovate UK EDGE. You can apply for up to £50,000 for highly innovative ideas that have a clear route to commercialisation through business growth.

Your project must lead to new products, processes or services that are significantly ahead of others currently available, or propose an innovative use of existing products, processes or services. It can also involve a new or innovative business model.

In your application, you must be able to show that you:

• have a great idea
• need public funding
• have the capability to deliver the project
• will deliver the project

Your idea must focus on either achieving net zero or self-driven healthcare, and how new technology can enable affordable, adoptable and investable innovations in these areas. We are particularly interested in proposals which will help you:

• develop both your idea and your business
• create a new revenue stream
• evidence and enable your market, funding and commercialisation plans
• show what’s feasible, helping you decide whether to pursue your idea further
• catalyse further innovation on your path to commercial success
• respond to changing market conditions

Innovate UK runs many different competitions, and each will have different eligibility and scope requirements. The guidance in this competition brief will always supersede any other guidance. If you are unsure or have any questions, please contact our Customer Support Service who will assist you further.

Eligibility

Your project must:

• have total project costs between £25,000 and £50,000
• start by 1 November 2022
• end by 30 April 2023
• last between 3 and 6 months in duration
• carry out its project work in the UK
• intend to exploit the results from or in the UK

You must only include eligible project costs in your application. If you exceed the total project costs of £50,000 you will be ineligible and your application will not be sent for assessment.

Under current restrictions, this competition will not fund any procurement, commercial, business development or supply chain activity with any Russian entity as lead or subcontractor. This includes any goods or services originating from a Russian source.

You will be made ineligible if you exceed the Minimal Financial Assistance limit. You must submit a completed declaration as part of your application.

To lead a project your organisation must:

• be a UK registered micro or small business
• not have previously been awarded funding from Innovate UK
• not have exceeded your £315,000 limit of de minimis or minimal financial assistance funding during the current and previous 2 fiscal years

Subcontractors are allowed in this competition.