Public funding
Public funding and non-dilutive programs
Non-dilutive funding is money that does not cost the company equity: research grants and contracts, government-backed loans, and tax reliefs that make a round more attractive to investors. It is usually slower and more conditional than venture capital, and it never replaces a company's own case for investment, but for research-heavy startups it can extend runway and reduce dilution before the next round. Each page below covers one program, says which country it applies to, and shows the date its rules and figures were last checked against the official source. Rules change with budgets and legislation, so confirm current terms on the official page before you apply.
Public funding · United States SBIR and STTR
Federal agencies pay small US companies to do research they need, without taking equity. The programs are large, slow and rule-bound, and eligibility depends on who owns your company.
Public funding · United States SBA programs for startups
The SBA mostly guarantees loans and licenses private funds rather than lending or investing itself. Knowing which you are dealing with tells you who decides and what you owe.
Public funding · European Union EIC Accelerator
The European Innovation Council can fund a single deep-tech company with a grant, an equity investment through the EIC Fund, or both. Selection runs from a short proposal to a jury pitch.
Public funding · United Kingdom Innovate UK
The UK's innovation agency funds business-led R&D through competitions, loans and university partnerships. It is mid-redesign: Smart grants have closed and a new model, Velocity, is due in 2027.
Public funding · United Kingdom SEIS and EIS
SEIS and EIS give UK investors tax relief on new shares in small, risky companies. The relief is the investor's, but the company must meet HMRC's conditions for at least three years.