Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

UKRI-5955 IUK Venture Builder Pilot

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Award

25 Aug 2026 at 16:00

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

03 Aug 2026 at 16:40

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

22 Jun 2026 at 08:46

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

29 May 2026 at 16:23

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

01 Apr 2026 at 11:36

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation commissioned a Venture Builder pilot for validated deep-tech teams in three Industrial Strategy priority sectors. The service provides intensive business development support to take those teams to the point where an investor can make an investment decision. This is a business development consultancy service, classified under CPV 79411100, delivered across the United Kingdom. UKRI is the public sector buyer. The requirement is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises. The work is therefore relevant to organisations that can design and run structured venture-building support for deep-tech businesses, with the ability to work across multiple priority sectors and help companies become investment-ready.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded through a single-lot open procedure. Fourteen bids were received, including 13 from SMEs. The tender was estimated at £1,250,000 excluding VAT (£1,500,000 including VAT). PIONEERING VENTURES LIMITED was awarded the contract on 24 July 2026 for £1,240,000 excluding VAT (£1,488,000 including VAT). The contract was signed on 18 August 2026 and runs from 19 August 2026 to 19 August 2027, with an option to extend by up to 12 months, to 18 August 2028. Evaluation weighted technical quality at 70% and price at 30%. UKRI may also purchase additional similar services where permitted under the Procurement Act 2023.

This award demonstrates demand from UKRI for a specialist venture-building partner able to support validated deep-tech teams rather than provide general business advice. A credible competitor for a future requirement would need experience of intensive business development with technology-led ventures, understanding of the three relevant Industrial Strategy priority sectors, and the ability to help teams progress towards investor scrutiny and an investment decision. Strong technical and service quality would be particularly important, since quality carried substantially greater weight than price in the evaluation. The award also shows that an SME can compete successfully for this type of public sector consultancy work. Organisations with relevant delivery teams, investor networks and practical venture-support methods are the closest fit.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-5955 IUK Venture Builder Pilot

Notice Description

The Venture Builder pilot takes validated deep-tech teams in three Industrial Strategy priority sectors and works intensively to bring them to the point where an investor can make a decision.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: UKRI may increase the value of the contract to include additional similar services where permitted to do so under Schedule 8 of the Procurement Act 2023.

Renewal: The Contract duration shall be for a period of 12 months with an option to extend for further period of up to 12 months (1+1).

Planning Information

Market engagement Webinar

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-067a85
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080956-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79411100 - Business development consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,250,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,250,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£1,240,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£1,240,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Aug 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
29 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
24 Jul 20262 months ago
Contract Period
19 Aug 2026 - 19 Aug 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON
Postcode
SN2 1FL
Postcode Area
Swindon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

PIONEERING VENTURES LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

Loading OCDS record...