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Innovate UK: COVID-19 business support

An update on the support available to businesses from Innovate UK due to COVID-19 and advice for award holders.

• From: Innovate UK and UK Research and Innovation
• Published: 24 March 2020
• Last updated: 26 February 2021 — See all updates

General advice for innovative businesses

With news of the continued spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) both domestically and internationally, we are aware that for innovative businesses like yours, this will have a potential impact on supply chains, business continuity and cashflow.

We recognise that the nature of these impacts will evolve and are likely to increase over the coming weeks, potentially months.

We are working to understand the impacts on companies as the situation evolves.

Innovate UK is still operational

Please be reassured that Innovate UK has business continuity measures in place and is continuing to operate.

If you have any concerns or potential challenges around your financial position, particularly cashflow issues, we recommend you speak with your investors and your bank.

Many banks have set up specific funds and support for affected businesses, some of which is underpinned by the government.

If you have an Innovate UK award

Contact your monitoring officer

If you are an Innovate UK award recipient, also contact your Innovate UK monitoring officer, who will keep us informed and allow us to assess if we can offer support too.

The earlier you speak with your monitoring officer, the easier it will be to understand your issues and find potential solutions.

Contact Innovate UK EDGE

Innovate UK EDGE is a key part of the UK innovation agency’s investment in the innovative businesses that drive economic growth. It complements Innovate UK project funding with intensive, specialist-led support for such ambitious businesses.

Find out more about Innovate UK EDGE

We will continue to monitor the ongoing impact of coronavirus on the companies we support to ensure we can provide the best support whilst managing public money appropriately.

The government announced a package of measures including support for businesses; find information on how it may apply to you.

See the full range of business support measures for UK businesses and employees.

Published 24 March 2020
Last updated 26 February 2021 + show all updates

1. 26 February 2021

   Replaced Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) with Innovate UK EDGE.

2. 3 June 2020

   Updated link to full range of business support measures for UK businesses and employees.

3. 24 March 2020

   First published.