Defence Innovation Fund
Connects small British startups with early Ministry of Defence contracts and accelerated procurement pathways.
The Defence Innovation Fund is a £20M initiative launched in January 2026 to connect small innovative British startups with their first MoD contracts. Targeting businesses with limited or no prior MoD business, the fund uses accelerated contracts and new 'Lite' Enterprise Agreements to reduce the procurement barriers that typically exclude software and AI companies. The fund is part of MoD's broader £7.5 billion SME spending commitment through May 2028, with £400M ringfenced for novel technology. Capability priorities include AI, machine learning, data science, robotics, autonomy, and enhanced precision weapons.
Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.