Innovation funding in 2027: How global businesses are investing in growth, resilience and competitive advantage
Introduction
As disruption becomes a permanent feature of the business environment, innovation is evolving from a competitive differentiator into a core driver of resilience.
The International Innovation Barometer 2027 explores how organisations across the world are funding innovation, prioritising investment, deploying AI, and strengthening resilience in response to economic uncertainty, geopolitical instability and rapid technological change.
Based on insights from 850 innovation leaders, CFOs, CEOs and R&D decision-makers across 17 countries, this year’s report reveals how businesses are balancing commercial accountability with long-term innovation ambitions.
Discover the key findings from our latest research and what they mean for businesses today.
Alongside the data, Ayming’s international innovation experts share their insights and perspectives on the findings, helping to unpack the key trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the landscape—and what organisations should be thinking about next.
What is inside the report?
Innovation becomes more commercially focused
Innovation is increasingly expected to deliver measurable business value.
Cost reduction, operational efficiency and market growth have emerged as the leading business priorities, reflecting a more mature and commercially accountable approach to R&D investment.
The innovation operating model continues to evolve
Businesses are becoming more sophisticated in how they manage, measure and fund innovation.
The report explores growing reliance on innovation grants, changes in the use of tax incentives, and how organisations are creating more structured innovation funding strategies.
Innovation through instability
From energy security and supply chain disruption to AI adoption and geopolitical uncertainty, organisations are increasingly using innovation to build resilience and unlock new sources of competitive advantage.
Key findings
• 97% of organisations now have a dedicated innovation team.
• Businesses invest an average of 6.8% of revenue in innovation activities.
• 78% expect innovation budgets to increase.
• 80% actively incorporate grant opportunities into innovation planning.
• 64% say economic and geopolitical uncertainty has strengthened their commitment to innovation.
• 82% believe there are risks in failing to innovate in today’s environment.
Why download the International Innovation Barometer 2027?
Whether you’re responsible for innovation, R&D, finance or business strategy, this report provides a unique benchmark for understanding how leading organisations are approaching innovation investment and funding decisions.
Download the report to:
• Benchmark your organisation against international peers
• Understand the latest innovation funding trends
• Discover how businesses are approaching AI investment
• Learn how innovation grants and tax incentives are evolving
• Explore strategies for building resilience through innovation
• Identify opportunities to strengthen your innovation roadmap
Download your free copy of The International Innovation Barometer 2027 to find out more
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The International Innovation Barometer 2027 is Ayming’s annual global study of innovation strategies, investment priorities, innovation funding trends and R&D performance. This edition is based on responses from 850 business leaders across 17 countries.
Innovation funding enables organisations to invest in new technologies, R&D projects, process improvements and future growth initiatives. Effective innovation funding strategies can help businesses remain competitive while improving resilience and operational performance.
Businesses are increasingly combining self-funding, innovation grants, R&D tax incentives, equity funding and debt financing to support innovation activities. Many organisations are also embedding external funding opportunities directly into their innovation plans.
Key trends include commercial accountability in innovation, increased AI adoption, growing use of innovation grants, stronger focus on operational efficiency, and greater emphasis on resilience in response to geopolitical uncertainty.
The organisations surveyed for the International Innovation Barometer 2027 invest an average of 6.8% of annual revenue in innovation activities.
AI remains one of the leading innovation priorities, with organisations increasingly focusing on practical deployment, measurable outcomes and productivity gains rather than experimentation alone.
Businesses report challenges including talent shortages, pressure for short-term results, difficulties identifying suitable grant opportunities and increasing expectations around innovation performance
