Innovate UK Next Wave: Breakthrough Wave 1

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Innovate UK Next Wave: Breakthrough Wave 1

Innovate UK will invest up to £10 million in early-stage innovation at the intersection of Createch and the UK's Industrial Strategy Frontier industries. Projects must develop innovations beyond proof of concept, create new commercial revenue streams, and reach market within 12 months of project completion. The competition is open to UK registered SMEs with eligible costs between £100,000 and £500,000.

Who can apply

UK registered micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Collaborative projects allowed with lead being a UK SME; no single partner may account for more than 70% of eligible costs.

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Funding

£100k – £500k

Deadline

August 11, 2026

Opens

June 23, 2026

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Eligibility criteria

UK registered micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Projects can be undertaken by a single SME or as a collaboration
Lead applicant must be a UK registered SME
Collaborators may include businesses of any size, universities, research organisations, charities, public sector organisations or RTOs
No single partner may account for more than 70% of the eligible project costs
Eligible costs between £100,000 and £500,000
Project duration between 9 and 12 months
Project must focus on commercial digital platforms or services within video games, advertising and marketing, film and television, or music, performing and visual arts

Innovate UK Next Wave: Breakthrough Wave 1

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