As we move through 2026, a new wave of funding and investment opportunities is opening for businesses across the North West and beyond. February brings a strong mix of support for founders at all stages.
This includes fresh opportunities for underrepresented founders through Innovate UK’s Venture Forward programme as well as a range of government‑backed loan options. Innovation funding is also particularly active this month, with new rounds focused on clean energy, vehicle electrification, EV infrastructure and global energy access.
Below, you’ll find a curated selection of upcoming key funding calls to help you identify the right support for your next stage of growth. And if you need guidance exploring your options or preparing an application, our team is here to help you every step of the way.
Accelerators
Venture Forward (Cohort 2)
Venture Forward is a new Innovate UK initiative designed to support underrepresented founders who are seeking equity investment. The programme will be delivered by GC Angels, one of the most prolific early-stage investors in the North of England, and will run over 8 weeks from February to April 2026. Selected businesses may also be eligible for equity investment of up to £500,000.
Who should apply: Underrepresented founders who are seeking equity investment.
Government-Backed Loans
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 and investment 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
In the first quarter of 2026, Innovate UK have reopened their innovation loans, there are also multiple opportunities for businesses working in vehicle electrification and clean energy.
Innovation funding opportunities (Closing March)
Innovate UK Innovation Loans Round 25
UK registered micro, small or medium sized enterprises (SME) can apply for loans for close to market innovative projects with strong commercial potential. They must significantly improve the UK economy and drive societal benefit.
Competition closes: Wednesday 4 March 2026 11:00am
Who should apply: Micro, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) with highly innovative late stage research and development (R&D) projects with the best potential for the future. There must be a clear route to commercialisation and economic impact.
DRIVE35 Innovation Fund: Demonstrate 2
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £33 million for late stage demonstration research and development projects. Projects will support the UK’s transition to zero emission vehicles and a pathway to a net zero automotive industry.
Deadline: Wednesday 11 March 2026 11:00am
Who should apply: Organisations developing a product or process demonstrator, to show increased capability and commercial exploitation opportunity as a result of the project. This competition is open to single and collaborations.
DRIVE35 Innovation Fund: Collaborate 2
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £33 million for late stage collaborative research and development projects. Your project will support the UK’s transition to zero emission vehicles and a pathway to a net zero automotive industry.
Deadline: Wednesday 18 March 2026 11:00am
Who should apply: Collaborative R&D projects that design, develop and enable manufacture of technologies which target post project commercialisation. This competition is open to collaborations only.
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.
Energy catalyst round 11 – early stage
Organisations can apply for a share of up to £7 million across the three strands of the competition. The aim of this competition is to accelerate the innovations needed to create new or improved clean energy access in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, the Indo-Pacific region and Latin America.
Deadline: Wednesday 25 March 2026 11:00am
Who should apply: UK registered organisations with projects addressing both energy access and clean energy with total costs between £50,000 and £300,000. This competition is open to single applicants and collaborative applications.
Energy catalyst round 11 – mid stage
Organisations can apply for a share of up to £7 million across the three strands of the competition. The aim of this competition is to accelerate the innovations needed to create new or improved clean energy access in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, the Indo-Pacific region and Latin America.
Deadline: Wednesday 25 March 2026 11:00am
Who should apply: UK registered organisations with projects addressing both energy access and clean energy with total costs between £50,000 and £1.5 million. This competition is open to collaborations only.
Energy catalyst round 11 – late stage
Organisations can apply for a share of up to £7 million across the three strands of the competition. The aim of this competition is to accelerate the innovations needed to create new or improved clean energy access in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, the Indo-Pacific region and Latin America.
Competition closes: Wednesday 25 March 2026 11:00am
Who should apply: UK registered organisations with projects addressing both energy access and clean energy with total costs between £50,000 and £5 million. This competition is open to collaborations only.
Open Calls
ARIA Opportunity Seeds
To support scientific and technological breakthroughs, ARIA can award funding to small but highly ambitious projects, “opportunity seeds”, to support ambitious research aligned to ARIA’s opportunity spaces. They are looking to fund projects within the Mathematics for Safe AI, Nature Computes Better and Scoping Our Planet opportunity spaces, with up to £500k each.
Who should apply: Proposals are welcomed from across the R&D ecosystem including individuals (including those not affiliated with an organisation), universities (including proposals from students, postdocs and staff), research institutions, small, medium and large companies, charities and public sector research organisations.
MITIH Grant Fund – Round Three
MITIH Grant Fund – Round Three offers up to £10,000 in innovation grant funding to support creative technology and immersive innovation projects. The fund covers 50% of eligible project costs and supports projects using immersive tech, creative AI, XR, virtual production and related technologies. Projects are assessed on a rolling basis and must be completed by 14 February 2026.
Please note: the grant cannot be used for content production.
Who should apply: Greater Manchester–based SMEs developing innovative, creative, or immersive technology projects.
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 Innovation business, reach out to your Specialist today, to find out more about how we can help you reach your innovation and business goals in 2026.
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