The first funding round of APC’s new DRIVE35 Innovation Fund: Collaborate will close on October 1, 2025. While applicants to this initial call are putting the finishing touches on their submissions, now is the ideal time for other organizations to begin preparing for the next open round in spring 2026.

With £2.5 billion committed over 10 years, DRIVE35 is a cornerstone investment in the UK’s automotive future, supporting the design, development, and manufacturing of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and their supply chain.

What DRIVE35 Supports

The program is designed to accelerate innovation at all stages of the automotive ecosystem:

  • High-volume manufacturing and gigafactories
  • Start-ups with disruptive technologies
  • Prototypes and cutting-edge automotive solutions

Through targeted investments, DRIVE35 aims to:

  • Create tens of thousands of jobs
  • Stimulate billions in economic growth
  • Cut millions of tons of CO₂ emissions

Applicants can access grants from £2.5M to £25M, with a 50% match requirement. A maximum of six partners is recommended per project, ensuring collaborations are impactful but manageable.

Questions to Guide Internal Readiness

As your organization considers participation in the next round, it is important to reflect on these key questions:

  • Innovation Fit: What makes your technology or solution genuinely innovative compared to existing approaches?
  • Collaboration Strategy: Who are the essential partners, and how can a Small to Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) be incorporated to strengthen competitiveness?
  • Strategic Justification: How does the project align with your organization’s broader mission and investment priorities?
  • Market Pathway: What is your exploitation strategy—customer segmentation, sales to early markets, growth plans, and strategies to overcome barriers to entry?
  • Technology Readiness: What evidence of proof-of-concept or demonstration can you provide to show project viability before submission?

Ready to Explore Alignment?

With the next DRIVE35 round just months away, now is the time to evaluate your innovation, build partnerships, and plan your funding strategy.

➡️ If your organization is considering applying, we’d welcome a conversation to explore alignment and help determine how DRIVE35 can accelerate your goals. Contact us here.