Tech startups across the UK are set to receive access to the latest scientific research, business coaching, and help to raise capital from universities and business experts thanks to a fresh round of Digital Growth Grant funding.

Seven organisation are set to receive up to £250,000 each to run programmes to support tech and digital businesses across the UK.

Local programmes in cities including Edinburgh, Exeter, and Sheffield will be match-funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s Digital Growth Grant, delivered by Barclays Eagle Labs. The funding will match each organisations’ investments in new and existing programmes that help local tech businesses.

“Britain’s innovative tech startups span the nation and drive global innovation forward. We are delighted to boost these programmes to provide on-the-ground support for founders in their local areas, giving them the help they need to thrive,” Paul Scully, minister for tech and the digital economy, said.

“Directly supporting businesses in this way is the cornerstone of our Digital Growth Grant, which champions a future where every corner of the UK benefits from the job creation and growth technology provides.”

The programmes provide a variety of support including access to digital services, entrepreneurship training, and access to networking and fundraising opportunities.

Each programme has a specialist focus dependent on local specialisms, with Edinburgh backing “deep tech” startups which are converting scientific discoveries into businesses.

Other regions are focussing support on tech start-ups helping tackle climate change, those supporting creative industries, or driving innovation in the NHS.

The winning programme in the Scottish capital, Venture Builder Incubator, is tied to the University of Edinburgh, and will give researchers access to a cut of £100,000, access to AI research facilities and a ‘National Robotarium’ to convert their inventions into innovations and businesses across robotics and more.

Season 2 of the Ecosystem Partnership Programme opens for applications from 19 October, where organisations can apply for matched funding for activity being delivered between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025.

This date also marks six months since Barlcays Eagle Labs started leading the delivery of the Digital Growth Grant, taking over from TechNation. In this time, Barclays Eagle Labs has initiated nine accelerator programmes, including the Black Venture Growth Programme for underrepresented founders, helping to foster and grow the digital economy.

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Matt Corbidge, director at Barclays Eagle Labs, said: “We are proud to be able to support these projects which are designed to help early-stage tech entrepreneurs across the UK. It’s vitally important that start-ups and scale-ups are supported particularly in growing sectors in AI, climate-tech and the digital space.

“Using our Ecosystem Partnership Programme, we’re allocating funding to organisations that are already plugged into their national and regional ecosystems. We hope these projects will go a long way to supporting start-ups and scale-ups, which are vital to growing local economies throughout the UK.”

The £12 million Digital Growth Grant builds on more than £42.2 million invested by the government to support tech startups and scaleups since 2016. The two-year grant, awarded to Barclays Eagle Labs, was launched in April 2023.