Innovate UK Innovation Loans
Deadline has passed
The last published deadline was 2026-10-09. Check the funder's page for a new round.
Loans range from £100,000 to £5 million. Interest rate 7.4% per annum: 3.7% pa payable during the project period on amounts drawn with a further 3.7% pa deferred; 7.4% pa payable during the repayment period alongside repayment of principal and deferred interest. Loans can cover up to 100% of eligible project costs.
You must co-fund 0%.
Innovate UK (UK Research and Innovation)
public · national
Deadline: Fixed cut-off dates — Expression of Interest window 6 Jun 2026 to 9 Oct 2026; the team contacts applicants after an EOI. Interest rate 7.4% a year (3.7% payable during the project, 3.7% deferred).
This funder does not publish a success rate. We rank it using the rate observed across similar programmes and label it as an estimate rather than implying we know.
Moderate — a form and supporting documents.
Who can apply
- Up to 250 employees
- medium-sized enterprises
- Sectors: deeptech, manufacturing, climate, health, any
- Stage: Series A and growth
- R&D activity required
- Locally registered entity required
UK registered micro, small or medium sized enterprises only, carrying out late-stage R&D (experimental development) and pre-commercial activities. Aimed at businesses 'scaling rather than starting' that are credit constrained. Covenants apply: liquidity ratio 1.1x throughout the loan and debt service coverage ratio 1.2x in the repayment period. Funding provided under the UK Subsidy Control Act 2022; Windsor Framework restrictions apply to Northern Ireland businesses.
How to apply
- Complete an Expression of Interest. — link
- Innovate UK Loans contacts you to discuss suitability; full application follows.
- Provide historic and forecast financial information for credit assessment.
- If approved, grant security by mortgage debenture (fixed and floating charge over company assets); no personal guarantees required.
What you will need
- Expression of Interest form
- Historic and forecast financial information
- Annual accounts and quarterly management accounts
Related reading: How grant deadlines actually work · The EU SME definition (Recommendation 2003/361)
Source. https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/programme/innovation-loans/
"Loans can range from £100,000 to £5 million... Innovation Loans Expression of Interest: Opens: 06/06/2026 Closes: 09/10/2026"
Last checked against the official page on 5 October 2026
Source: iuk-business-connect.org.uk
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