Hundreds of startups have benefited from Innovate UK, and the funding tap is still turned on thanks to another “Smart Grants” round totaling $35 million.

The UK government has been dishing out millions of pounds to startups during the pandemic through a special agency called Innovate UK. The catch is that the startups need to fit into its “build back better” ethos to accelerate the nation’s recovery, with some sustainability thrown in for good measure.

There’s an eclectic mix of travel startups that have been competing for grants side-by-side with other sectors, mostly health technology firms, in different funding competitions.

Innovate UK, part of UK Research & Innovation, has been running since 2007, and to date has invested $3.5 billion in businesses, with match funding from the private sector taking the total value of projects to $6 billion. It claims to have helped 8,500 organisations create 70,000 jobs.

Travel startups emerging from the pandemic cover a range of bases, from contactless valet parking and baggage handling, to electric boats and rail loyalty schemes.