There is a range of UK and internationally based business competitions that provide funding, support, press and much more to startups, entrepreneurs and new business ventures. They can be a great source for testing your concept and providing the resources/ networks to grow your startup.

These competitions and others are a good way to secure initial resources, finance or support for an expansion.

We have listed some of the latest business funding competitions below, if you can’t find a competition that suits your business you can search for more here.

Unlocking nature positive private investment
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £2 million for developing solutions that enable private investors to invest in nature positive projects. This funding is from Innovate UK.
Closing date 10/04.2024

Farming Innovation Programme: Large R&D partnerships Round 3
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £7.8 million for large R&D partnership projects, from the industry-led R&D Partnerships Fund, a part of the Farming Innovation Programme.
Closing date 13/03/2024

APC25: Industrialising net zero automotive technology
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £25 million for late-stage R&D projects that help accelerate the UK towards a net zero automotive future.
Closing date 13/03/2024

Eureka collaborative R&D: Eurostars 3 Call 6
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £2.5 million for collaborative research in partnership with organisations from participating Eurostars countries.
Closing date 14/03/2024

UK-Switzerland CR&D Round 2
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £4 million for innovative projects in all technologies. You must collaborate with at least one Swiss implementation partner applying under the equivalent Swiss Innosuisse programme.
Closing date 01/ 05/2024

UK – Germany Bilateral: Collaborative R&D Round 3
UK registered organisations, collaborating with at least one German SME applying under the equivalent German ZIM programme, can apply for a share of up to £4 million for collaborative projects resulting in innovative solutions in emerging technologies.
Closing date 03/06/2024

Cyber security academic startup accelerator programme 2024-25: phase 1
Individuals based in a UK academic institution can apply for a share of up to £800,000 to join the cyber security academic startup accelerator programme (CyberASAP).
Closing date 06/03/2024

Creative Catalyst 2024
UK registered micro or small businesses in the creative industries sector can apply for funding of up to £50,000 with a package of tailored support to grow their business. This fully funded grant programme is from Innovate UK.
Closing date 06/03/2024

Environmental Monitoring Innovation
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £5 million for collaborative projects to develop innovative solutions in environmental monitoring. This funding is from Innovate UK and The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).
Closing date 06/03/2024

Farming Innovation Programme: Research Starter round 4 – EoI

Farming, growing or forestry businesses based in England can apply for a share of up to £850,000 for feasibility projects to improve productivity, sustainability resilience and move the agricultural sector to net zero. 
Closing date 14/02/2024

Farming Innovation Programme: Research Starter round 4 – EoI
Farming, growing or forestry businesses based in England can apply for a share of up to £850,000 for feasibility projects to improve productivity, sustainability resilience and move the agricultural sector to net zero. 
Closing date 14/02/2024

Innovate UK Smart grants: January 2024
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £25 million for game-changing and commercially viable R&D innovations that can significantly impact the UK economy. This funding is from Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation.
Closing date 24/04/2024

Diet and health innovation: Early stage feasibility projects
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £2.5 million for early stage feasibility projects working with one or more of the Diet and Health Open Innovation Research Club (OIRC) hubs. This funding is from BBSRC and Innovate UK.
Closing date 08/05/2024

CLIMATES: Supply chain innovations for rare earths, strand 2
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £4 million for collaborative research and development projects. This funding is from Innovate UKs Circular critical materials supply chains (CLIMATES) programme.
Closing date 13/03/2024

Canada-UK Critical Minerals: Sustainability and Circularity
UK registered organisations and Canadian SMEs can apply for a share of up to £5.4 million for joint R&D projects focused on driving circularity in critical minerals.
Closing date 03/04/2024

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Funding Competitions

Farming Innovation Programme: Research Starter round 4 – EoI

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