With tailored packages of funding, connections and advice, Innovate UK’s new support model will help UK companies achieve their full potential.
What is Velocity?
Launching in autumn 2027, Velocity will be Innovate UK’s new model for supporting high-potential innovative businesses as they grow into industry leaders.
Velocity marks a full redesign of the way Innovate UK provides financial and non-financial support. Rather than offering grants for one-off projects, we’ll be supporting businesses in the round and over the long term. All Innovate UK support will be offered through Velocity when it launches.
Designed for businesses with significant innovation and growth potential, Velocity will provide a tailored package of funding, expertise, networks and investment connections. Through Velocity, Innovate UK will form a more connected, enduring relationship with businesses that gives them the right support at the right time as their needs change.
Whether you’re developing breakthrough technologies, entering new markets or preparing for investment, Velocity will mean less time navigating systems and more time building your business.
Who is Velocity for?
Velocity will be for businesses that operate in six of the UK government’s Industrial Strategy priority areas:
- advanced manufacturing
- clean energy
- creative industries
- defence
- life sciences
- digital and technologies
Digital and technologies includes artificial intelligence, advanced connectivity, cybersecurity, engineering biology, semiconductors and quantum.
Within these sectors, we’ll support businesses with:
- genuine potential to grow
- signs that potential is being realised
What will Velocity offer?
Velocity will allow Innovate UK to build deeper connections with businesses we work with, giving them bespoke support for their stage of growth, ambitions and opportunities.
Through a single application process, businesses accepted into Velocity will have access to the whole range of Innovate UK support.
Businesses will get a curated suite of:
- Innovate UK funding
- expert insight
- growth coaching
- access to networks
- connections to investors
- international opportunities
The need for long-term support
The redesign of Innovate UK around Velocity responds to a pattern that’s emerged in the businesses we’ve funded: those we’ve helped longest, across many stages, tend to outperform those we helped only once before moving on.
Now businesses will work in a lasting way with Innovate UK to map out their priorities, identify opportunities and develop plans for growth.
As businesses’ priorities change, support will adapt too. Velocity is a flexible, not fixed, programme of support.
What happens next?
Velocity opens for applications in autumn 2027.
There will be a transition to this new model of Innovate UK support. Over the next year, businesses may start to see changes in how we identify and engage with innovative companies.
We’re testing and introducing new approaches progressively. By the time Velocity launches, many of the foundations of this new support model will be in place.
Register for updates
We’re building Velocity with one goal in mind: helping innovative businesses to grow faster, sustainably.
Sign up for Innovate UK emails to hear the latest news about Velocity.
Last updated: 26 October 2026