The Innovate UK Scale Up Programme supports ambitious, highly innovative businesses already on their scaling journey. Informed by ScaleUp Institute evidence, it has helped 282 scaleups since 2017 through tailored one-to-one mentoring, bespoke workshops, and a structured peer-to-peer network fostering shared learning.

Led by 42 Scale Up Directors, the programme provides expertise across M&A, international expansion, IP, supply chains, leadership, and talent. Scaleups identify their top three challenges—often commercialisation, market access, growth capital, or talent acquisition—through structured onboarding, receiving targeted support via mentoring, workshops, and a Strategic Advisory Board. A peer network further drives collaboration.

Participants access wider Innovate UK resources, including Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTN), Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP), and Catapults. In the last year, 13 scaleups joined Global Business Innovation and Investment Programmes, securing 150+ international partnerships through global visits and collaborations.

Since launch, the programme has created 1,634 jobs, with scaleups raising £585m in grants and equity, achieving an 82% turnover increase and a £111.5m GVA boost. Its international expansion focus has grown, supporting 78 companies in entering global markets over the past year.

To enhance delivery, the team has expanded to 51 members, including new marketing, investment, and market research roles. An alumni offer provides ongoing support, masterclasses, and exclusive events, with 90 scaleups joining or in the process.

A key initiative, the Non-Executive Director (NED) offer, launched in May 2023 in partnership with the ScaleUp Institute, helps alumni secure NEDs and Chairs, strengthening governance and networks. Initially a pilot, it is now scaling to 60 alumni companies. The programme also facilitated 18 scaleups’ participation in Global Business Innovation and Investment Programmes (GBIPs/GIPs) and supported 11 companies in the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator. Strategic collaboration with the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) has further reinforced public-private partnerships, supporting scaleups such as Aurrigo.

Embedded within the wider innovation ecosystem, the programme integrates with KTNs, KTPs, Catapults, and regional growth initiatives, ensuring scaleups across the UK, including devolved nations, access the resources they need to grow. Looking ahead, it remains agile, ready to adapt to evolving economic landscapes and support the next generation of high-growth, innovation-led businesses driving UK economic development.

“A major new contract with Private Health Group was secured to implement all our products in 48 hospitals. Significant other contract wins were with the Northern Care Alliance, NHS Tayside and Wolverhampton. Multiple language translations have been done leading to a dual language Welsh/English version. Wales is looking to procure a nationwide solution. Ultramed is well positioned. Thank you to Caroline and her colleagues for the excellent Scale Up support we have received.”  – Dr Paul Upton, CEO and co-founder, Habitat Learn

“… I would fully recommend the Innovate UK ScaleUp programme, to anyone growing a business as this is often a very lonely place for the founders. I found the programme exceptionally helpful to sense check decisions made within the business and focus on the strategy. I am personally extremely grateful to the Scaleup Directors for their excellent support during this period.” – Jenna Copley, Director, Conker

Innovate UK Scale Up Programme website