Funding & Investment Hub

Current
Funding Calls

Investor
Database

Explore a range of opportunities for funding and support across the critical technologies sector.

Explore a range of investors working with organisations in the critical technologies sector.

Analysis for Innovators (A4I)

A4I, a programme designed to help businesses overcome challenging measurement and analysis problems that are holding back innovation, productivity and growth.

Funder: The National Physical Laboratory (NPL)

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Application Deadline: 6th October 2026

View

Japan-UK Joint call for collaborations in Advanced Connectivity Technologies

Apply for funding to form world‑leading partnerships with collaborators in Japan in the field of Advanced Connectivity Technologies.

Funder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Application Deadline: 6th October 2026

View

Advanced manufacturing: measurement and sensing pilot

Apply for a share of up to £1 million as part of a pilot to support high potential businesses developing a technology, product or service in measurement, instrumentation or sensing for UK manufacturing.

Funder: Innovate UK

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Application Deadline: 7th October 2026

View

Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP): 2026 – 2027 Round 3

UK registered academic institutions, RTOs or Catapults can apply for a share of up to £12.5 million to fund innovation projects with businesses.

Funder: Innovate UK

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Application Deadline: 14th October 2026

View

Solvers Wanted

Multiple opportunities to collaborate with Leonardo on a range of challenges.

Funder: Leonardo

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Application Deadline: 15th October 2026

View

Seed funding

Seed funding is available to support projects which align with the Quantum ARC.

Funder: Quantum ARC

Critical Technologies: Quantum

Application Deadline: 30th October 2026

View

Mobility Fund

Up to £25,000 to support knowledge exchange, develop specific innovation skills and progress medical technologies, by enabling short-term relocation of staff within the UK.

Funder: TayHealthTech

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Application Deadline: 30th October 2026

View

Sandpit fund

Interactive, collaborative workshops to bring people together from different disciplines, organisations and sectors to explore ideas.

Funder: TayHealthTech

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Application Deadline: 30th October 2026

View

Engagement Activities fund

Engage new, existing and underrepresented audiences in healthcare and medtech.

Funder: TayHealthTech

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Application Deadline: 30th October 2026

View

Future Leaders Fellowships: Round 11, business and non-academic

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £110 million to deliver ambitious research and innovation and develop future leaders.

Funder: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Application Deadline: 4th November 2026

View

NQS Mission 2 Coordination Network

Funding to establish a coordination network supporting Mission 2 of the UK National Quantum Strategy

Funder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Application Deadline: 24th November 2026

View

NQS Mission 2: Components, systems and architectures

Funding to advance the research capabilities required to deliver the UK National Quantum Strategy Mission 2

Funder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Application Deadline: 24th November 2026

View

UK-Singapore CRD 2026

Share of up to £3 million for the purpose of developing innovative proposals with Singapore.

Funder: Innovate UK,

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Application Deadline: 16th December 2026

View

Access to Facilities Fund

We have up to £200,000 to support multiple projects to access University of Dundee and/or Heriot-Watt University research and lab facilities.

Funder: TayHealthTech

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Application Deadline: 29th January 2027

View

Horizon Europe Springboard Scheme for Cluster 4 Industry Themes

Financial support for eligible UK organisations to strengthen the development of Horizon Europe proposals.

Funder: Innovate UK

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Application Deadline: 2nd February 2027

View

EPSRC new investigator award: applicant-led mode

Funding to support your transition to research independence.

Funder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Application Deadline: 5th February 2027

View

ICURe Discover programme cohorts

A part-time market discovery programme for researchers and technicians, offering up to £2,500 of support and a clear onward pathway to ICURe Explore. 

Funder: Innovate UK

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Application Deadline: 1st March 2027

View

No Results

Amadeus capital Partners

Global technology investor backing deep-tech and software businesses across AI, semiconductors, quantum, engineering and digital infrastructure.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Growth, Seed, Series A, Series B

View

Archangels

Scottish business-angel syndicate backing IP-rich technology and life-sciences companies, typically through early institutional rounds and follow-on investment.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Pre-Seed, Seed

View

Balderton Capital

European technology VC backing ambitious founders from seed through growth, with broad sector coverage and a strong network across Europe and the US.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Growth, Seed, Series A, Series B

View

BGF

UK patient-capital investor providing minority equity to established early-stage and growth companies, including science-led deep-tech businesses.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Growth, Series A, Series B

View

Blackfinch Ventures

UK EIS venture investor backing early-stage companies across software, hardware, deep tech, fintech and the energy transition.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Seed

View

British business bank

UK government-owned development bank that expands finance for smaller businesses mainly through funds, lenders and delivery partners rather than direct startup investment.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Growth, Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B

View

Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC)

VC backing science and technology companies connected to the Cambridge ecosystem, from early commercialisation through scale-up.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Growth, Series A, Series B

View

CloudBerry

European specialist VC backing semiconductor and adjacent hardware companies, with a focus on the earliest rounds through Series A.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Semiconductors

Stage of Investment: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A

View

Deeptech Labs

UK deep-tech accelerator and seed investor helping science and engineering ventures move from validated technology toward Series A readiness.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Seed

View

Entrepreneurs First 

Global talent investor that helps individuals form teams and build venture-scale technology companies, providing company-building support and initial capital.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Pre-Seed, Seed

View

Firgun

Specialist quantum-technology investor focused on later-stage companies approaching commercial scale and international growth.

Critical Technologies: Quantum

Stage of Investment: Growth, Series A, Series B

View

IP group

Science and technology investor that creates, funds and scales university spinouts and research-led companies across deep tech, life sciences and cleantech.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Pre-Seed

View

IQ Capital

European deep-tech VC backing defensible, science-led companies from pre-seed and seed, with follow-on capital for later growth.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Growth, Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B

View

Kelvin Capital

Scottish angel investment syndicate backing revenue-generating, high-growth companies with capital, sector expertise and follow-on support.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Growth, Series A, Series B

View

Maven

UK private-equity and venture investor providing growth capital to ambitious SMEs across technology and other sectors.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Growth, Series A, Series B

View

Mercia

UK regional private-capital investor backing technology and other high-growth businesses with equity, debt and scale-up support.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Semiconductors

Stage of Investment: Seed, Series A

View

Mint Ventures

Scottish women-led angel group backing purpose-driven companies with diverse leadership and positive social, ethical or environmental impact.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Seed

View

National Wealth Fund

UK government-backed investor and lender financing large-scale projects that support clean energy, digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and regional growth.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Growth

View

Notion capital

European B2B software VC backing cloud and enterprise-software companies from seed through Series B.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Seed, Series A, Series B

View

Octopus Ventures

UK and European VC backing high-growth technology companies, with expertise in various areas, including artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum computing, and advanced materials.

Critical Technologies: Quantum, Semiconductors

Stage of Investment: Seed, Series A

View

Old College Capital

University of Edinburgh's venture fund, investing in spinouts and startups emerging from the university and supporting them through early commercial development.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Pre-Seed

View

Oxford Enterprise

Oxford-focused science-business builder and investor creating and scaling University of Oxford spinouts across deep tech, life sciences and health tech.

Critical Technologies: Quantum, Semiconductors

Stage of Investment: Pre-Seed

View

Oxford Science Enterprises

Oxford-focused science-business builder and investor creating and scaling spinouts across deep tech, life sciences and health tech.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Pre-Seed, Seed

View

Parkwalk advisors

Focusing on University spin-outs, Parkwalk was created to bridge the gap between academic innovation and commercial success.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Pre-Seed, Seed

View

Photon Ventures

European specialist VC backing integrated-photonics companies and enabling technologies through early commercial scale-up.

Critical Technologies: Photonics

Stage of Investment: Series A

View

Playfair Capital

UK pre-seed VC backing ambitious technology founders across sectors, with hands-on support from first institutional funding onward.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Pre-Seed

View

PXN Ventures

Northern UK venture platform formed from Par Equity and Praetura Ventures, backing high-growth companies across the North of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Growth, Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B

View

Quantonation

Global specialist VC backing quantum technologies and disruptive-physics companies across computing, communications, sensing, photonics and enabling hardware.

Critical Technologies: Quantum

Stage of Investment: Pre-Seed, Seed

View

Quantum Exponential Group

Quantum-focused investment company backing businesses across quantum computing, sensing, communications and enabling technologies.

Critical Technologies: Quantum

Stage of Investment: Seed, Series A

View

Scottish Enterprise

Scotland's national economic development agency, providing co-investment, grants, advice and growth support to eligible Scottish businesses.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Growth, Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B

View

Scottish national Investment bank

Mission-led Scottish investor providing patient commercial capital to businesses and projects that support net zero, place-based opportunity and innovation.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Growth, Series A, Series B

View

Silicon Catalyst

Semiconductor-focused accelerator connecting early-stage companies with industry mentors, partners and investors; it is primarily an ecosystem programme rather than a direct fund.

Critical Technologies: Semiconductors

Stage of Investment: Pre-Seed, Seed

View

SyndicateRoom

UK co-investment platform giving investors access to diversified EIS-eligible startup portfolios selected alongside experienced angel investors.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A

View

Technooology venture partners

Growth-equity investor backing established, high-potential technology businesses with capital and strategic support to scale.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Growth

View

The University of Cambridge Enterprise Fund (UCEF) 

Co-investment fund for companies commercialising University of Cambridge research, giving eligible investors access to tax-efficient university spinout opportunities.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Pre-Seed, Seed

View

Verve

Verve Ventures is a leading European venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage investments in DeepTech startups.

Critical Technologies: Photonics, Quantum, Semiconductors, Sensing & Connectivity

Stage of Investment: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A

View

No Results

Would you like to be included in the Investor Database?

Get In Touch

Subscribe to our mailing list for regular updates

Join