Investor Partnerships – Battery Innovation Programme: Funding to Accelerate UK Battery Innovation

For experimental development projects, the minimum aligned investment must be at least twice the grant amount.

For example, an SME requesting a £200,000 grant for an industrial research project must secure at least £200,000 in aligned investment. For an experimental development project requesting the same grant, the minimum aligned investment would be £400,000.

The investor partner may declare a higher minimum investment amount, which must then be secured before the project can begin.

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Who Can Apply?

The competition is open to single applicants only, and the applicant must be a UK-registered micro, small or medium-sized business.

To qualify, applicants must:

• Carry out their project activities in the UK and intend to exploit the results from or within the UK.
• Have an established relationship with an approved Innovate UK investor partner.
• Receive an invitation to apply from that investor partner and agree the proposal with them before submission.
• Demonstrate a clear route to market, scalability and significant commercial potential.
• Have the capacity to secure the required aligned investment through new shares or convertible debt.

Each SME can submit only one application to this competition.

Subcontractors are permitted, including overseas subcontractors where applicants can provide a strong justification for why suitable UK alternatives cannot be used.

The Importance of Investor Partnerships

A distinguishing feature of this competition is the requirement for applicants to demonstrate genuine investor interest before applying.

The approved investor partner must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) directly to Innovate UK and confirm that the SME is ready to apply.

Evidence of sufficient investment traction may include an indicative investment offer, an ongoing due diligence process or a term sheet.

Applications will be assessed against three important factors:

Innovation: The technical quality, novelty and potential of the proposed R&D project, assessed by independent assessors.

Additionality: The extent to which Innovate UK grant funding will accelerate the innovation and help leverage private investment.

Investment traction: The likelihood that the proposed investment will be completed within a reasonable timeframe.

A technically strong application alone is therefore insufficient. Applicants must also demonstrate credible investment commitments and a commercially attractive growth strategy.

What Projects Are Not Eligible?

Innovate UK will not fund projects that:

• Involve collaborative R&D rather than a single SME applicant.
• Are not part of the applicant's wider business growth strategy.
• Cannot demonstrate potential for commercial growth and return on investment.
• Focus on large capital infrastructure.
• Do not have the backing and invitation of an approved investor partner.

The competition is intended to support innovation-led business growth rather than routine business activities or infrastructure investment.

Key Dates

Competition opens: 5 October 2026

Competition closes: 25 November 2026

Applicants notified: 26 January 2027

How Inventya Can Help

Securing funding through the Investor Partnerships – Battery Innovation Programme requires more than a technically promising innovation. Applicants must demonstrate commercial viability, investment readiness, a credible growth strategy and a strong case for why public funding is needed alongside private investment.

Inventya's support includes:

• Eligibility and funding assessment: Evaluating whether your technology, business and proposed project meet the competition requirements.
• Grant application development: Preparing a compelling proposal that clearly communicates the innovation, technical approach, expected outcomes and commercial opportunity.
• Market research and commercialisation strategy: Developing evidence-based market assessments, competitive positioning and routes to market.
• Financial planning and budgeting: Supporting project cost development, grant funding calculations and alignment with the required private investment.
• Investment readiness support: Helping businesses strengthen their investment proposition, commercial forecasts and growth strategy.
• Application review and submission support: Reviewing proposals against the competition criteria to improve clarity, consistency and competitiveness.

With experience supporting innovative businesses in securing funding and developing commercialisation strategies, Inventya can help battery technology SMEs prepare competitive applications and position their innovations for investment and growth.