Growth Cohorts: Next-gen low carbon concrete cohort entry Round 2
Innovate UK is investing up to £11.5 million across a two-stage competition to recruit ambitious businesses into a Growth Cohort focused on accelerating concrete decarbonisation and scaling innovative supply chain solutions.
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Competition Scope & Overview
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), will invest up to £11.5 million to create a cohort of ambitious businesses, across a two stage competition, to accelerate concrete decarbonisation. This is subject to a sufficient number of high quality applications being received.
The aim of this competition is to recruit ambitious businesses to join a Growth Cohort. The Growth Cohort will fund and support businesses to accelerate their ambitions to decarbonise concrete. The Growth Cohort will work collectively with industry to help remove barriers to adoption, ultimately aiming for a greater number of innovative solutions to secure investment and scale to market.
Your proposal must clearly articulate:
your value proposition your current commercial and investment traction your team capabilities your expected go to market strategy what is required to accelerate your growth journey how this programme could support you and what it will enable your business to achieve
This is stage 1 of a potential 2 stage competition to join a Growth Cohort of ambitious businesses innovating to decarbonise concrete. Businesses in the Growth Cohort will, in stage 1, access funding and sector specific support to develop, and deliver, in stage 2, ambitious, executable innovation and growth plans.
The first stage of the competition will select which companies will join the Growth Cohort. The output of this first stage will be a co-created, tailored funding and support package aligned to the growth plan, which would form the basis of a proposal for the second stage.
For the first stage of this competition your grant funding request must be exactly £54,400. This includes £50,000 grant funding you can claim against eligible costs and £4,400 of in-kind non-claimable support from Innovate UK Business Connect.
You must apply for the full £54,400, but do not need to claim the full grant funding amount if you do not need to. You must apply with a project duration of 6 months, which can end earlier with agreement from your Cohort Manager if required.
Successful applicants will be assigned a Cohort Manager who will support the development of the innovation and growth plan, including:
identification of gaps agreement of support needs and growth targets use of the available MFA grant
Participation in the Growth Cohort will require an investment of time and resource. Successful applicants are expected to engage with cohort support activities, including for example:
peer to peer networking investor engagement international market exploration
This list is not intended to be exhaustive. A senior decision maker from the applicant business must commit to being involved in all stages of the programme.
Successful applicants in this first stage competition, will be able to apply for further Innovate UK funding and support in the second stage. They must fulfil the conditions of the cohort entry stage gates to qualify for further funding.
Applicants must be successful at stage 1 to be eligible to apply to stage 2.
Growth cohorts: Next generation low carbon concrete cohort entry (this stage 1) Growth cohorts: Next generation low carbon concrete full stage (stage 2, invite only)
There will be up to 5 Rounds of this entry competition (stage 1) between April 2026 and January 2028. This is Round 2.
The full stage, stage 2, competition is expected to open in February 2027 and remain open until December 2028. Applications will be assessed and notified of the outcome at specific dates during the competition open period.
Up to £11.5 million will be awarded in grants across both stages of the competition.
We reserve the right to close the competition ahead of the final submission deadline once this grant funding has been fully allocated to successful applicants. Applicants are encouraged to apply into the earliest suitable round to avoid disappointment.
In applying to this competition, you are entering into a competitive process. This competition has a funding limit, so we may not be able to fund all the proposed projects. It may be the case that your project scores highly but we are still unable to fund it.
Our experience from similar competitions suggests that you could have a 20% chance of success.
We consider a range of factors when determining whether to provide funding to applicants. This includes an assessment of prior conduct, such as any outstanding payments owed to Innovate UK or UKRI. Such factors may influence the funding decision, potentially resulting in a refusal of funding or an award subject to additional scrutiny.
We also reserve the right to adjust funding allocations for any of our competitions. This may be in response to changes in policy, portfolio funding considerations or broader government funding decisions.
This competition closes at 11am UK time on the deadline stated in this Innovate UK competition brief. We cannot guarantee other government or third party sites will always show the correct competition information.
Official Applicant Guidance Documents
Growth Cohorts Next generation low carbon concrete cohort entry Round 2 Assessor Guidance for applicants.pdf
This document is the official assessor guidance and application framework for the Innovate UK "Growth Cohorts: Next generation low carbon concrete" competition (Round 2). It outlines all scored and unscored application questions alongside detailed evaluation criteria to help applicants structure competitive responses.
Download Official DocumentApplication Questions & Guidance Brief
Every question below carries specific word limits and guidance criteria.
Project summary
Official Guidance
Describe your project briefly and be clear about what makes it innovative. We use this section to assign experts to assess your application. Do not include any website addresses (URLs) in your answers.
Public description
Official Guidance
Describe your project in detail, and in a way that you are happy to see published. Do not include any commercially sensitive information. If we award your project funding, we will publish this description. This can happen before you start your project. Do not include any website addresses (URLs) in your answers.
Scope
Official Guidance
Describe how your project fits the scope of the competition. If your project is not in scope, it will not be sent for assessment. We will tell you the reason why. Do not include any website addresses (URLs) in your answers.
Applicant location (not scored)
Official Guidance
You must state the name and full registered address of your organisation and any subcontractors working on your project. We are collecting this information to understand more about the geographical location of all applicants.
Minimal Financial Assistance declaration (not scored)
Official Guidance
You must download the declaration template. You must complete this, declaring any funding received under Minimal Financial Assistance (previously referred to as Special Drawing Rights) or de minimis awards, (from any source of public funding) in the applicable period. The lead applicant must write ‘declaration attached’ in the question text box. The lead applicant must upload all the completed declarations as an appendix. It must be a PDF no larger than 10MB. It must be legible at 100% zoom. You must keep all documentation relating to Minimal Financial Assistance (previously referred to as Special Drawing Rights) and other de minimis awards for a period of 6 years. You must be prepared to release it to any public funding body which requests it.
Animal testing (not scored)
Official Guidance
Will your project involve any trials with animals or animal testing? You must select one option: - Yes - No We will only support innovation projects conducted to the highest standards of animal welfare. Further information for proposals involving animal testing is available at the UKRI Good Research Hub and NC3R’s animal welfare guidance.
Permits and licences (not scored)
Official Guidance
Will you have the correct permits and licences in place to carry out your project? We are unable to fund projects which do not have the correct permits or licences in place by your project start date. You must select one option: - Yes - No - In the process of being applied for - Not applicable
International collaboration (not scored)
Official Guidance
Does your proposed work involve any international collaboration or engagement? You must provide details of any expected international collaboration or engagement. You must include a list of the names and the countries, any international project co-leads, project partners, visiting researchers, or other collaborators are based in. You must also include details of any subcontractors or service providers. If your proposed work does not involve international collaboration or engagement, your answer must confirm this.
Export licence (not scored)
Official Guidance
You must indicate whether an export control license is required for this project under the academic export control guidance. You must select one option: - Yes - No
Trusted Research and Innovation (not scored)
Official Guidance
You must explain if your proposed project work relates to UKRI’s Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I) Principles, including: - a list of any dual use (both military and non-military) applications to your research - a list of the areas where your project is relevant to one or more of the 17 areas of the UK National Security and Investment (NSI) Act - whether an export control license is required for this project under the academic export control guidance and the status of any applications - a list of any items or substances on the UK Strategic Export Control List If your proposed work does not relate to UKRI’s TR&I Principles, your answer must confirm this. We may ask you to provide additional TR&I information at a later date, in line with UKRI TR&I Principles and funding terms and conditions.
Letter of support (not scored)
Official Guidance
You must add ‘Letter of support uploaded’ as your answer. Failure to upload the letter of support will result in your application being out of scope. You must submit a letter of support as an appendix. The letter of support must be from a commercial entity currently operating in the concrete supply chain. It must be a PDF no larger than 10MB. It can be up to two A4 pages and must be legible at 100% zoom.
Company name (not scored)
Official Guidance
Provide any trading names, brand names, previous company names, or other names under which your organisation operates or has previously operated, or by which it is commonly known. Include: - trading names and brand names - former registered company names - names used by subsidiaries, divisions, or business units - parent company or wider group name, if applicable - any name by which the organisation is commonly known to customers, partners, or within the relevant industry If none of the above apply, please state "None”.
Intellectual property (not scored)
Official Guidance
Explain where the core intellectual property (IP) underpinning the innovation is owned. Identify the legal entity or entities holding the IP rights and the country in which each is registered. Explain any arrangements that may result in ownership or control of the IP being transferred outside the UK and any restrictions that would prevent the UK entity from exploiting the IP globally.
Technology (not scored)
Official Guidance
Which of the following technologies best represents your innovation? You must select one option: - alternatives to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) as a concrete binder - improving the efficiency or optimisation of cement or concrete production - recycling of cement - additives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete whilst maintaining or improving performance - using concrete to sequester carbon, or trap carbon within concrete - investigating different concrete chemistry for reinforced concrete - improving the efficiency of cement and concrete use
Technology maturity (not scored)
Official Guidance
Which of the following best represents how developed your innovation is? You must select one option: - idea or research stage - initial prototype, process or tool - scale up or standardisation
Business stage (not scored)
Official Guidance
Which of the following best represents your current business stage? You must select one option: - idea or proof of concept (POC) - minimum viable product (MVP) or early growth - scale up
Beneficiary (not scored)
Official Guidance
Which of the following, if any, would benefit the most from the innovation your business will deliver? You must select one option: - those who use the product or service, such as through lower costs or better outcomes - the wider society, or individuals who do not use the product or service, such as by improving productivity or reducing access inequalities - the environment, such as by reducing emissions or waste - government or public services, such as through cost savings or improved efficiency - your industry or sector, such as through innovation leadership or competitive advantage - other
Benefits
Official Guidance
This question is rated as category 2. Outline the benefits you expect to result from your innovation in more detail. In your explanation, include specific metrics or indicators that you intend to use to measure these benefits.
Sustainability
Official Guidance
This question is rated as category 2. How will you grow your business and develop innovations with sustainability in mind? Describe your plan to minimise negative effects and promote positive outcomes for the environment and society.
Milestones
Official Guidance
This question is rated as category 2. What are the key business milestones, or inflection points, that you will be aiming to achieve through this programme? You must consider the key business milestones, or inflection points across both stage one and stage two, looking beyond the initial 6 months. You must focus on what the support from this programme will enable you to do, financial and non-financial. You do not need to provide a project plan at this stage.
Skills
Official Guidance
This question is rated as category 1. What skills, capabilities or experience does your team hold that will help you grow your business through your innovation? Include any skills, knowledge, or experiences that are applicable.
Skills gaps
Official Guidance
This question is rated as category 1. What skills gaps exist in your team? Detail whether your business would need additional skills or support, what those needs are, and how you will address any gaps. Recognising and acknowledging the need for additional support is a vital part of the planning process and will not negatively impact your application.
Risks
Official Guidance
This question is rated as category 1. Outline the top three risks for your business in more detail. For each identified risk, explain what actions you will take to mitigate its impact. Risks can come from many areas for example: - technical risks: risks related to product development, functionality of performance - commercial or financial risks: such as those related to market adoption, competition or profitability - environmental or social risks: risks related to environmental impact, regulations, social acceptance - regulatory risks: risks related to obtaining necessary regulatory approvals - project management risks: risks related to timelines, team or resources Recognising and acknowledging potential risks is a vital part of the planning process and will not negatively impact your application.
Customers (not scored)
Official Guidance
Which of the following would be your main customer? Customers are who will buy the innovation from you. You must select one option: - individuals or consumers - businesses - charities or NGOs - government or public sector - other - do not know
Customers detail
Official Guidance
This question is rated as category 1. What are the key characteristics and needs of your target customers? Describe your engagement with customers and broader research.
Differentiation
Official Guidance
This question is rated as category 1. How does your business or innovation set itself apart from other businesses operating in your target markets? Provide specific examples and evidence where possible.
Market size
Official Guidance
This question is rated as category 2. Estimate the realistic market opportunity for your innovation. Provide an evidence based assessment by outlining: - the total addressable market (TAM): this is the total market demand for a product or service, it is the maximum revenue opportunity available if 100% market share was achieved - the serviceable obtainable market (SOM): the portion of the addressable market that can realistically be captured by your innovation, it factors in constraints like competition, geography, pricing, and how easily you can go to market
Video pitch
Official Guidance
This question is rated as category 1. This video pitch offers you the opportunity to showcase your business and to help you and your team show your genuine passion, commitment, capability and understanding of it. It will be scored as an essential component of your application. Under the Eligibility criteria for this competition you must submit a PitchTape video in response to this question. In your video pitch, you must explain: - what is your vision for the future of your business - how do you differentiate yourself - why have you chosen to apply for this award When you enter Pitchtape to record your video, you will be asked to respond to these three question prompts: - showcase your business and innovation and your differentiation - outline your business growth ambitions and target growth plan - what you want to achieve with this support and why you have chosen to apply Your final video must be no more than 3 minutes long. If your video is longer than this only the first 3 minutes will be assessed.