UK research and innovation funding is entering a period of significant change. UK Research and Innovation, which invests around £8 billion a year, has confirmed it will pause and reshape parts of its funding while moving to a more focused investment model. For UK SMEs interested in R&D funding, this shift brings both challenges and … Read more
Introduction According to the latest National Business Confidence Monitor by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) in January 2026, capital investment increased across all sectors by 2.0% (quarter on quarter) in Q4 2025, which was up slightly from 1.8% in Q3. However, due to business borrowing costs forecast to remain at … Read more
The conclusion of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in March 2026 marks a pivotal shift in the landscape of regional economic development, as the government moves toward a funding model that prioritizes long-term capital investment over the revenue-based support services that many businesses currently rely upon. This transition is centered around the introduction of the … Read more
Introduction According to the 2025 AIN Founder Survey by the Angel Investment Network, two-thirds (67%) of UK startup founders are over the age of 45 and the split across all age groups is 76% male vs. 24% female. The fact that the majority of startup founders tend to be older, dispels the long held stereotype that … Read more
For many UK farmers, the word “innovation” can feel like a double-edged sword. We see incredible new technologies at trade shows – from autonomous weeders to advanced soil sensors – but there is often a significant gap between a polished prototype and the reality of a muddy field in mid-November. The risk of being an … Read more
The UK government has launched a new £1 million Active Travel Innovation Fund, inviting small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and NGOs to submit bold ideas that encourage more people to walk, wheel, and cycle. Managed by Active Travel England (ATE), the fund offers grants of up to £100,000 for innovative projects that can make sustainable … Read more
The UK government has announced a new £500 million Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, and it marks a significant shift in how innovation is supported across the country. Instead of a blanket approach, this fund is designed to put power directly into the hands of local leaders, empowering them to invest in their region’s unique strengths … Read more
Innovate UK is undergoing a significant transformation in its approach to funding, directly impacting UK SMEs seeking innovation grants. From January 2025, the popular Smart Grants programme has been paused to allow for the development of more tailored support mechanisms. A new pilot programme is anticipated to launch in Spring 2025, specifically designed to assist … Read more
Introduction According to the 2025 Innovation Barometer by Ayming, a London based innovation funding consultancy specialist, UK businesses surveyed are requesting that the Government provides further targeted support to drive innovation and growth as a lack of funding is holding back research and development (R&D) activities. Currently, only 39% of UK businesses surveyed were able … Read more
Introduction According to a recent survey from Purbeck Insurance Services, UK SMEs are increasingly seeking business loans for working capital to keep their business going. Demand for small business loans jumped by 45% year on year in 2024 versus 2023 with 33% of all loans within the final quarter of 2024 being for working capital … Read more