Innovation loans - Innovate UK

Contents

Introduction

This guidance is for UK micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who want to apply for an innovation loan.

Innovation loans aim to provide flexible and patient capital to support business growth through innovation. This will be delivered through Innovate UK Loans Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UK Research and Innovation.

Innovate UK is working to broaden the range of innovation finance support available to businesses, so they can access funding at all stages of innovation.

You can only obtain an innovation loan by applying into Innovate UK’s competitive loans process.

If you would like to apply for an innovation loan, this guidance will help you to find a relevant opportunity and complete an application. It includes information on what happens after you have submitted an application and if you are successful.

You should follow this guidance in conjunction with the overall guidance on applying for a competition on the Innovation Funding Service and specific competition guidance for the opportunity you intend to apply into. Before making an application you should take independent advice.

Last updated: 2 July 2025

This is the website for UKRI: our seven research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Let us know if you have feedback or would like to help improve our online products and services.