Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps Innovate UK has taken to ensure its grants are accessible to under-represented groups.

In 2023, Innovate UK is building on the legacy and success of its existing targeted programmes: Women in Innovation and Young Innovators. They are launching a new and ambitious programme called Diverse Innovators: Begin and Build. This new Innovate UK core funding competition is designed to deliver increased impact by widening the doors to invite a wider range of under-represented innovators with great ideas to engage with Innovate UK as they start and build their businesses.