Barclays Eagle Labs, a network of business incubators, industry experts and virtual support that helps to connect, educate and accelerate UK businesses and entrepreneurs, was awarded the £12 million Digital Growth Grant. For over two years, funded by the UK Government, the Digital Growth Grant will help boost the growth of UK tech startups and scaleups to align with four objectives set out by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology:
Barclays Eagle Labs, a network of business incubators, industry experts and virtual support that helps to connect, educate and accelerate UK businesses and entrepreneurs, was awarded the £12 million Digital Growth Grant. For over two years, funded by the UK Government, the Digital Growth Grant will help boost the growth of UK tech startups and scaleups to align with four objectives set out by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology:
- Deliver support services to the digital sector.
- Grow regional support networks for tech startups and scaleups.
- Ensure founders and firms can access digital entrepreneurship and investment readiness training.
- Clearly signpost startups and scaleups to existing initiatives.
All Digital Growth Grant-enabled activity is supported by an Independent Advisory Board, which meets bi-monthly, to ensure that the activation of the grant is optimised to positively impact the UK tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Board are made up of representatives from across the UK who are already established in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, representing:
- The UK investment landscape
- The education sector
- Under-represented business communities
- Regional ecosystems and/or local authorities
- The innovation sector
- Sophisticated startups and scaleups on three-month rotations
Ecosystem Partnership Programme
Through the Digital Growth Grant-funded Ecosystem Partnership Programme, there will be funding allocated to organisations that are already embedded in their local entrepreneurial ecosystem to allow them to amplify the impact of their on-the-ground support for tech and digital businesses.
The applications for the programme are now open and will close on 31 May 2023. Applications will be reviewed by June 2023 and successful applicant(s) notified will be notified by July 2023.
Successful applicant(s) will then begin funded activities by August 2023 till March 2024.
Should you apply?
If you’re currently running activity to support your local tech ecosystem then you are invited to apply for matched funding via the Ecosystem Partnership Programme.
Organisations can apply for up to £250,000 (per NUTS1 region) in matched funding. Applications are open to (list not exhaustive):
Industry-specific tech cluster organisations
Local Authorities
Local Enterprise Partnerships
Tech-focused incubators, accelerators & local networks
Universities and other educational institutions
Given the regional focus of the programme, activity specific to the London ecosystem is out of scope for the programme, however, London-based organisations are eligible to apply for funding to deliver activity based in other regions of the UK.
Assessment Criteria
Applications will be judged against set criteria and all applicants must be able to demonstrate that:
- They can match the funding they are applying for through a combination of private funding (and/or) other grants
- Their capability to run localised programmes that contribute towards achieving the Digital Growth Grant objectives and complement activity in their region(s)
- They have identified a localised need that is not being addressed by the Digital Growth Grant funded activity
- They have a robust plan in place that delivers activity (and in-year benefits realised) by March 2024
- They are committed to encouraging and growing diversity in the tech sector within their region(s)
- They are willing to share best practices with fellow organisations across the UK to benefit the whole UK Tech ecosystem
- They have channels to promote Ecosystem Partnership Programme activity in their region(s) if they are awarded any funding.
