Grants and Pitch competitions
Published
Jun 30, 2025
Topic
CoFounders
Hello My name is Monta, and I am the Founder on OnlyFounders App (The App that Helps Founders Find CoFounders) & Every week we share a List of Grants and Funding Opportunities. London’s early-stage tech founders have a rich mix of equity-free grants and accelerator programs to choose from. Below are 10 top opportunities currently open (or opening imminently), split into Grants & Equity-Free Funding and Accelerators & Incubators. Each listing includes who it’s for, what support is offered, key dates, and how to apply.
📑Grants & Equity-Free Funding Opportunities
1. Ignite 2025 – Social Enterprise Competition
For student & graduate founders across the UK. A pitch competition with a £50,000 grant fund (top prize £20k, no equity) to scale ventures tackling tough social/environmental challenges.
Offers: Equity-free grants, mentorship, workshops, and national exposure. (finalists pitch in London on 23 Oct)
🔗 Learn more and apply: Via the Ignite website (ignitecomp.co.uk) Deadline: 31 July 2025
2. UnLtd Awards – Funding for Social Entrepreneurs
For UK-based social venture founders (age 16+). Grants up to £8k–£18k (depending on stage) plus a support package. Aimed at ventures with a strong social mission that need funding and mentoring to grow.
Offers: Cash grants (non-dilutive), a dedicated support manager, expert mentors, and workshops. Deadline: 30 June 2025 (quarterly cycles)
🔗Apply: Through UnLtd’s site (unltd.org.uk) Deadline: 30 June 2025 (quarterly cycles)
3. AXA Startup Angel 2025
For UK-based founders (any age, any sector, including tech). Two winners will receive a £25,000 equity-free grant plus tailored mentoring and media exposure. Four runners-up also get mentoring and PR support.
Offers: Equity-free funding, mentoring from top founders, national publicity.
Deadline: 6 July 2025
🔗 Apply: Here
4. Santander X Awards: £135,000 Up for Grabs! 🏆
The annual Santander X Awards are here again, providing a substantial funding opportunity for promising startups. With £135,000 in funding available, this competition can provide a significant boost to your startup's financial runway. Don't miss out on your chance to be recognized and rewarded by Santander X.
🔗 Apply for Santander X Awards: Santander X UK Awards 2025 (Application deadline is July 16, 2025)
5. Innovate UK “Industrial Digital Technology” Grant
For UK-registered startups developing new digital solutions for manufacturing or sustainability. Share of £2 million in government grant funding for feasibility studies in industrial tech innovation.
Offers: Project funding, access to partners, innovation support.
Deadline: 2 July 2025
🔗 Apply: Here
6. Future of Capitalism Pitch Competition
For UK or global early-stage B2B tech founders. Pitch live at The Shard, London, for up to $1M in non-dilutive investment and access to a high-profile investor network.
Offers: Non-equity investment, high-visibility pitching, feedback from top investors.
Deadline: 30 September 2025
🔗 Apply Here
7. Defra Farming Innovation Investor Partnership
For agri-tech and foodtech startups in the UK. Late-stage grant funding up to £1.35 million (requires matched private investment) for impactful innovation in agriculture.
Offers: Major grants, private sector co-investment, industry links.
Deadline: 2 July 2025
🔗 Apply: farminginnovation.ukri.org
Accelerators & Incubators (Deadlines June 30 – July 6, 2025)
1. Entrepreneur First – London (Fall 2025)
For ambitious individuals ready to build a tech startup from scratch in London. Join a world-class founder community and receive a stipend and ~£80k–£100k pre-seed investment (~10% equity) plus intensive mentorship and global alumni support.
Offers: Stipend during team formation, equity investment, deep mentoring, alumni network.
Deadline: 6 July 2025
🔗 Apply: joinef.com
2. Innovate UK “Growth Catalyst” (Clean Energy Scale-Up)
For UK-based clean energy and climate tech scale-ups ready for rapid growth. A pilot accelerator offering coaching, investor access, and sector expertise to catalyze scale-up success.
Offers: Accelerator program, industry coaching, investor introductions, peer network.
Deadline: 2 July 2025
🔗 Apply: here
3. Barclays Eagle Labs Female Founder Accelerator
For UK-based female founders running tech businesses. Join a 12-week hybrid accelerator with coaching, workshops, investor networking, and a supportive community—all at no cost.
Offers: Coaching, networking, expert sessions, fully funded program.
Deadline: 14 July 2025
🔗 Apply: here
4. NATO DIANA Accelerator (2026 Cohort)
For deep tech startups (AI, autonomy, quantum, biotech, space, dual-use) in NATO countries. Selected teams receive€100,000 initial funding (contract) and may access up to €300,000 follow-on with world-class defence test centres and expert mentorship.
Offers: Non-dilutive funding, R&D contracts, access to defence resources, mentors.
Deadline: 11 July 2025
🔗 Apply: here
5. Battery Investment Readiness Program 2025
For UK-based battery technology startups. Up to 15 SMEs are selected for intensive coaching, investor readiness training, and sector-specialist mentoring (equity-free support).
Offers: Investor pitch prep, sector mentoring, business coaching, no equity.
Deadline: 31 July 2025
🔗 Apply: here
6. Antler London
For ambitious founders at “day zero” in London. Join a global platform to meet co-founders, validate your idea, and receive $165,000 pre-seed investment (~10% equity), plus stipend, mentoring, and access to top investors (rolling applications).
Offers: Stipend, investment, hands-on mentorship, worldwide network.
Deadline: Rolling (next cohort in 2025)
🔗 Apply: antler.co
7. Pi Labs (PropTech Accelerator)
For property-tech startups looking to disrupt real estate. Receive $135,000 investment for 7.5% equity plus a 3-month London-based accelerator with sector mentorship, real estate partners, and demo day.
Offers: Investment, sector-specific mentoring, access to industry, demo day.
Deadline: Rolling (batches accepted year-round)
🔗 Apply: pilabs.co.uk
8. Google for Startups: AI for Energy Accelerator (Europe/UK)
For startups using AI to transform the energy sector (UK & Europe). A 12-week, equity-free accelerator offering mentorship from Google engineers, AI & cloud credits, and access to global experts. Virtual and in-person (Europe/UK).
Offers: Mentorship, credits, expert workshops, global exposure, no equity.
Deadline: 30 June 2025
🔗 Apply: here
9. Amazon Sustainability Accelerator – Climate Tech Cohort
For UK/EU climate tech startups. A hybrid accelerator by Amazon and partners (no equity taken) offering tailored curriculum, AWS resources, mentoring, and pilot opportunities with Amazon.
Offers: Mentoring, credits, partner resources, no equity.
Deadline: 29 July 2025
🔗 Apply: here
10. Virgin StartUp – Empower 100 Accelerator
For UK-based, underrepresented founders. A fully-funded 8-week program with expert mentoring, business support, and a £10k grant to select participants (summer cohort runs June 19–July 31, 2025; apply ASAP).
Offers: Grant, intensive support, mentorship, alumni network.
Deadline: Rolling (apply June/July 2025 for summer cohort)
🔗 Apply: here
Don't let these incredible opportunities pass you by! Research each one, tailor your pitch, and get ready to take your startup to the next level. Which of these opportunities are you most excited to explore?
Hi My name is Monta (check my LinkedIn) and I help Founders Find CoFounders thru OnlyFounders App (Check it here) You can find more opportunities in the Startup Essentials Tab.
