There are many grant funding schemes available to support businesses to get set up, assist them in growing, or develop their ideas and innovations and assist in getting it market. Many of the grant schemes target specific locations, industries and business sizes as well as offering a variety of grant contribution rates and rules on what the grant can be used from. To help you sift through the grants available we have created this page listing a wide variety of business grants.
The table below gives a quick comparison of the top UK providers for small business grants.
Grant Name Maximum Amount Geographic Region
AD:VENTURE - Leeds City Region £5,000 West Yorkshire and parts of North Yorkshire
Be Inspired at Staffordshire University £2,500 England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland graduates starting a business in Staffordshire
Buckinghamshire Business First £50,000 Buckinghamshire
Business Development Grant Scarborough £5,000 Borough of Scarborough
Business Energy Efficiency Programme West Midlands £100,000 Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Telford and Wrekin, and Shropshire
Business Grant Scheme Mansfield District Council £10,000 Mansfield district
Business Growth Hub Greater Birmingham & Solihull Not stated Greater Birmingham & Solihull, and The Marches LEP area
Research and Devleopment grants Up to 50% Scotland
SMART: Scotland Grants £100,000 Scotland
Regional Selective Assistance Not stated Scotland
Elmbridge Business Boost Grants £9,000 Elmsbridge
Howardian Hills Conservation Grant Scheme Up to 100% of approved costs Howardian Hills
CITB Grants Scheme Not stated England
Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme £100,000 Coventry and Warwickshire
CRACK IT Challenges £1million Not stated
D2N2 Growth Hub Not stated Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham & Nottinghamshire areas
Duplex Investment Fund Not stated Coventry and Warwickshire
Greater Manchester Energy Efficiency Grant £5,000 Greater Manchester
Enterprise Europe Network Not stated England, Northern Ireland and Wales
Fit For Nuclear Not stated Not stated
ESA Business Applications Not stated Not stated
Breakthrough Not stated Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
Get Growing 2 £10,000 Hertfordshire
Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme £4,500 Rural areas of the UK
Let’s Get Started & Let’s Grow Grants Cannock Chase £5,000 Cannock Chase
Heritage Fund Grant £10 million National
Innovation UK Varies UK
Invest to Grow £250,000 East Midlands
Key Fund Not stated North of England and Midlands
NBV Grant for Enterprise £2,500 Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Greater Lincolnshire
North of Tyne Growth Fund £300,000 Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council, North East Combined Authority and Sunderland City Council
Repair Grants for Heritage at Risk Not stated England
Small Growth Grants Dorset £40,000 Dorset
Leading Growth Not stated Teesside
Eden Tourism Grant £500 Eden District
* The facts and figures included here come from each company’s website and were accurate at the time of writing but may have since changed. Also, please keep in mind these may not be apples to apples comparisons as each provider offers different solutions. This guide should be used as a starting off point for more research on your part.
Below we profile each of the companies’ services and features in a bit more detail.
Note companies are ranked in no particular order and this no way indicates one solution is better than another.
Topics
1. AD:VENTURE Leeds City Region
Some of the features and benefits of AD:VENTURE Leeds City Region’s small business grants.
- Offers a range of financial support
- Grants and loans
- Impartial advice
- Support from an advisor
- Growth grants for businesses up to 36 months old
- Suitable for those pre-trading
- Grants from £1,500 to £5,000
- 50% contribution required
- Business plan and cashflow forecast required
- Also offers loans up to £100,000
AD:VENTURE Leeds City Region has been set up to support start-ups and those trading for up to three years. They tailor their support to your needs and will provide you with an advisor that will help guide you through the financial support available.
AD:VENTURE Growth Grant is open to any business that operates in the Leeds City Region and has been trading for less than 36 months or pre-trading. The grant offers funding from £1,500 to £5,000 to help support growth but it requires you to contribute at least 50% of the eligible costs. You will need to evidence the growth through your business plan and cash flow forecast.
AD:VENTURE Leeds City Region website
2. Be Inspired at Staffordshire University
Some of the features and benefits of Be Inspired at Staffordshire University’s small business grants.
- Free business start-up resource
- Available to graduates and placement students
- Year-long programme of support
- Expert advice
- Mentoring
- Training
- Workshops
- Access to key resources
- Maximum capital equipment funding of £2,500
- Can’t be used for salaries, living costs or stock
Be Inspired at Staffordshire University is a free resource designed to help business start-ups. It is designed to support graduates and placement students that want to set up their own business. They offer a tax-free grant of £1,500 that can be used towards your business expenses such as equipment, software, marketing, networking and conferences.
Be Inspired at Staffordshire University also offers a grant that is ERDF funded and is available as part of their programme. Grants will need to be spent during the 12-month period. Capital equipment funding will not be allowed over £2,500 and it can’t be used for salaries, living costs or stock.
Be Inspired at Staffordshire University website
3. Buckinghamshire Business First
Some of the features and benefits of Buckinghamshire Business First’s small business grants.
- Offers business support including funding and finance
- Signposts to available grants locally and nationally
- There are loans and grants to support start-ups and growth
- Grants are available for up £50,000 depending on the scheme
- Grants focused on sector specific needs as well as green finance and charity funding
- Support available on writing a business plan to aid applications
- Access new business support programme
- Offers a business Growth Programme
- Provides online guides and resources
- Business Support Team are available by phone or email
Buckinghamshire Business First provides support to businesses in the Buckinghamshire region and delivers programmes in partnership with other providers including the government and Innovate UK. They assist in signposting to grants and loans up to £50,000 on some opportunities and provide guidance through their Business Support Team.
Buckinghamshire Business First’s also offers a Growth Programme that provides existing businesses in Buckinghamshire with free professional advice and practical support. This is a fully funded programme that provides easy to access support. They also offer a Lift Offer Support programme for newly formed businesses up to two years.
Buckinghamshire Business First website
4. Business Development Grant Scarborough
Some of the features and benefits of Business Development Grant’s small business grants.
- Designed to help the formation of new businesses
- Stimulate the growth of small and medium businesses
- For businesses in Scarborough, Whitby and Filey
- Must demonstrate that the project wouldn’t go ahead without the grant support
- Eligible spend includes machinery and equipment, facilities development, marketing, researching new markets, product development, and skills training
- Start-up grants up to £1,000
- Business expansion grants up to £5,000
- Maximum 50% towards expenditure
- Retrospective claims
- Applicants must seek advice from a business advisor first
Business Development Grant scheme is run by Scarborough Borough Council to support small and medium sized business to grow and new start-ups in Scarborough, Whitby and Filey. To be eligible for a grant you will need to demonstrate that the project would not go ahead without the support from the grant.
The Business Development Grant scheme is designed to encourage the formation of new businesses and to stimulate the growth of small and medium-sized businesses within Scarborough Borough. Their Business Start-up Grant offers up to £1,000 and is for start-ups and those under 18-months with less 10 employees. The Business Expansion Grants are for existing business and it offers up to £5,000.
Business Development Grant website
5. Business Energy Efficiency Programme West Midlands
Some of the features and benefits of Business Energy Efficiency Programme’s small business grants.
- Offers free energy and resource reviews
- Grants from £1,000 to £100,000
- Suitable for businesses with under 250 employees
- Match-funded with at least 50% contribution
- Aids businesses to reduce their costs
- Reducing environmental impact
- Can be used for a range energy efficiency solutions
- Managed by Worcestershire Council
- Available to businesses in Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin
- Contact by email or phone
Business Energy Efficiency Programme is a programme that is run by Worcestershire Council in partnership with Herefordshire Council, Telford and Wrekin Council, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce and Shropshire Chamber of Commerce. The programme is part-funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Business Energy Efficiency Programme provides free energy and resource efficiency reviews for businesses with under 250 employees and a minimum annual energy usage of 25,000kWh. They also offer grants up to £100,000 to help reduce energy use and the businesses environmental impact. Businesses need to in either Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and you can contact them by email to find out more.
Business Energy Efficiency Programme West Midlands website
6. Business Grant Scheme Mansfield District Council
Some of the features and benefits of Business Grant Scheme’s small business grants.
- Offers a variety of business grants
- Suitable for start-ups
- Established businesses
- Must be in Mansfield District or relocating to it
- Business Start-Up Grant up to £2,000
- Business Growth and DiversificationGrant up to £5,000
- Scale-Up Grants up to £10,000
- Maximum grant on all schemes is 50% of the total eligible project costs
- Apply online
- Funding is provided by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)
Business Grant Scheme offers a range of grants for the Mansfield District and is supported by the East Midlands Combined County Authority. They have created a discretionary grant fund for Mansfield District business to support them to start up, expand and thrive. .
Business Start-Up Grant for those trading for under six months, it provides up to £2,000 offering up to 50% of the eligible costs. Business Growth Grant is for small to medium-sized businesses with a growth plan and requires funding. It offers up to £5,000 funding a maximum of 50% of the eligible costs. It can be used for expanding operations, entering new markets and diversifying their offerings. The Scale-Up Grant offers up to £10,000 which is for business established for over 12 months who are planning significant growth over a 12 month period.
7. Business Growth Hub Greater Birmingham & Solihull
Some of the features and benefits of Business Growth Hub’s small business grants.
- Offers a programme to support business growth
- Aids small to medium sized businesses in the Birmingham and Solihull region
- Designed to support business growth in the region and aid success
- Start-up businesses
- Small to medium enterprises
- Provides support in access grants and finance
- Offers workshops, business reviews and diagnostics, and referrals to other providers
- Funding is provided by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)
- Managed by Birmingham City Council
- Contact them by phone, email or web form
Business Growth Hub is a designed to help businesses to get established or grow. The programme is funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) which provides a free of charge service that aims to support businesses in growing, improving productivity, increase turnover and create new jobs.
Business Growth Hub supports a wide range of businesses from those starting up to those wanting to grow or innovate. They provide their services to small to medium sized businesses located in Birmingham and Solihull. The programme includes access to grants and finance, one-to-one advice and support, business reviews and diagnostics, a wide variety of workshops, and referrals to national, regional and local support providers.
Business Growth Programme website
8. Research and Development Grants
Some of the features and benefits of Research and Development Grants’ small business grants.
- Help financing research
- Offers between 25-50%
- Can be used to develop products, service, or processes
- Has to be new and innovative
- Available to businesses and collaborations
- Must benefit the economy in Scotland
- Demonstrate commercial prospects
- Won’t progress without the grant
- Sole traders and charities may not be eligible
- Offers access to their specialist team
Research and Development Grants is run by Scottish Enterprise who supports businesses in Scotland to stimulate the economy and create jobs. The grant offers SMEs between 35-50% of their eligible costs and large companies between 25-40%. They also provide support to consortiums of up to six companies, but it tends not to be available to sole traders or charities.
Research and Development Grants are designed to help businesses that have a product, service or process that is new and innovative that will not be able to progress without the grant or would take considerably longer. The project must show commercial prospects and benefit the Scottish economy.
Research and Development Grants website
9. SMART: Scotland Grants
Some of the features and benefits of SMART: Scotland Grants’ small business grants.
- Research and development grant
- Supports high risk, highly ambitious projects
- Only available to SMEs in Scotland
- Also available to individuals, small or medium-sized businesses, and university spinouts
- Offers grants of 60-70% of the eligible costs up to £100,000
- Projects must represent a technological innovation advancement for the sector or UK industry
- Can be used for feasibility testing and developing prototypes
- Will need to create intellectual property (IP)
- The project must advance technological innovation
- They also provide access to their specialist team
SMART: Scotland Grants is run by Scottish Enterprise that offers research and development grants to help businesses to get their ideas to market. The SMART grant is available to small to medium enterprises in Scotland who have a high risk, highly ambitious project.
SMART: Scotland Grants offers grants up to £100,000 with up to 60% contribution for medium enterprises for eligible costs and 70% for small enterprises. The grant can be used to fund feasibility testing to demonstrate the idea and the development of prototypes to test the idea before it goes into production. It requires you to have ownership of your ideas and create intellectual property (IP).
SMART: Scotland Grants website
10. Regional Selective Assistance
Some of the features and benefits of Regional Selective Assistance’s small business grants.
- It is a discretionary grant offered to businesses
- Aims to create or protect jobs
- Grants are based on the size and location of the business
- Projects must last between 6 and 36 months with a minimum grant of £150,000
- Grant contribution varies up to 35%
- Successful applicants tend to be SMEs
- Must involve capital investment
- The project should need funding to go-ahead
- Funding is paid in arrears and instalments in most cases
- Restrictions on aid may apply
Regional Selective Assistance is run by Scottish Enterprise and is designed to help create jobs or safeguard them. Projects should involve capital investment and will require the funding for the project to go ahead which is a key part of the assessment for eligibility. You will also need to supply a forecast and breakdown of capital expenditure.
Regional Selective Assistance offers grants that are tiered up to 35% grant contribution based on your location and size of business. It is open to SMEs and large enterprises but generally, applicants are SMEs as the rates are more attractive. Funding is reserved for Assisted Areas and should safeguard or create jobs with a minimum of 10 jobs. All companies receiving funding must meet the Scottish Government’s approach to Fair Work and net zero.
Regional Selective Assistance website
11. Elmbridge Business Boost Grants
Some of the features and benefits of Elmbridge Business Boost Grant’s small business grants.
- Offers business grants for up to £2,000
- Designed to support shop frontage and signage
- Bring empty shops back into commercial use
- Drive new footfall, investments, streetscene improvements or sustainability in towns or village projects
- Minimum 50% match funding required
- Support for digital sales is also offered through Digital High Street Boost
- Green Business Boost is available to aid businesses in investing in energy efficiency projects
- Grants can’t cover any professional fees such as re-branding
- Applications should include two quotes and a mock up of the proposal
- Apply online
Elmsbridge Borough Council offers Elmsbridge Business Boost Grants that are designed to help businesses in Elmsbridge, improve the local high streets and support the local economy. They also offer other business grants which include Digital High Street Boost to aid selling online, and Green Business Boost to support businesses in investing in energy efficiency projects.
Elmsbridge Business Boost Grant offers up to 50% funding for projects such as up to £2,000 towards shop frontage or signage. It also offers up to £2,000 to help bring empty shops back into commercial use after more than three months. It also offers up to £1,000 to village or town projects that increase footfall, investment, improve streetscene or sustainability.
Elmbridge Business Boost Grant website
12. Howardian Hills Conservation Grant Scheme
Some of the features and benefits of Conservation Grant Scheme’s small business grants.
- Offers grants where other funding is not available
- Only available in Howardian Hills area of North Yorkshire
- Provides support in applying for other grant schemes
- Assists on-going management of sites
- One-off capital schemes
- Grants normally provide 30-75% of approved costs
- 100% grants may be offered in some circumstances
- Assistance can be grant aid or direct works
- Some grants required a second stage application
- Applications are available online to download
Howardian Hills organisation looks after the Howardian Hills in North Yorkshire and conserves it for the future. They offer a Conservation Grant Scheme that is open for projects that are taking place in the Howardian Hills. They prefer applicants to try grants from other sources first and they will assist you in creating a high-quality application to these schemes.
Howardian Hills’ Conservation Grant Scheme is available to help organisations that need funding to provide on-going management of a site and one-off capital schemes. Their grants are available under three themes which are Natural Environment, Historic Environment and Sustainable Development and the Rural Economy.
Conservation Grant Scheme website
13. CITB Grants Scheme
Some of the features and benefits of CITB Grants Scheme’s small business grants.
- Offers funding towards qualifications and apprenticeships
- Grants for training and specific projects
- Support employers with training their workplace
- Contributions to the cost of training
- Construction-related subjects
- Short course grants
- Qualification grants
- Apprenticeships grants
- Specific projects including careers, innovation and training
- Caters for small employers to larger ones
CITB Grants Scheme provides employment and skills-based training and qualifications to the construction industry. They also provide apprenticeship support and specific project support. They offer both grants and funding options.
CITB Grants Scheme is designed for employers to help them to provide day to day training to their employees. They will contribute towards the training costs under three schemes which are short course grants, qualification grants and apprenticeship grants. Funding is available for specific projects for developing careers, innovation and training through the Skills and Training Fund, Leadership and Management Development Fund and Structured Fund that support different size organisations.
14. Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme
Some of the features and benefits of Green Business Programme’s small business grants.
- Funding for energy efficiency measures
- The programme provides capital grants to purchase assets
- Supports businesses with fewer than 250 employees
- For businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire
- Assistance to save money on energy, waste and water
- Free energy and resource efficiency audits
- Supports low carbon product development
- Grants from £1,000 to £100,000
- Provides up to 50% funding towards the costs
- Part funded by DESNZ
Green Business Programme is a scheme that is part-funded by the UK Government through the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and is delivered by Coventry City Council. They provide funding to assist with energy efficiency measures which include saving money on energy, waste and water for small to medium-sized businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire with less than 250 employees.
Green Business Programme offers grants from £1,000 to £100,000 and includes free energy and resource efficiency audits. They have a maximum intervention rate of 50% so you will need to fund the rest yourself. Grants can be used for energy efficiency improvements including solar panels, heating upgrades, lighting, insulation, ventilation systems, refrigeration, voltage optimisation, recycling and wastage management, and water management.
Green Business Programme website
15. CRACK IT Challenges
Some of the features and benefits of CRACK IT Challenges’ small business grants.
- Provides mechanisms to gain funding
- Creates challenges to resolve
- Brings collaboration between different sectors
- Delivers business improvements
- Can develop new products
- Projects can attract funding up to £1 million
- Length of the project can be up to three years
- Different industries and businesses
- Brings in academics
- Funding provided by the National Centre for the Replacement Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs)
CRACK IT Challenges provides a challenge led competition which funds different industries, academics and SMEs to collaborate to resolve scientific and business challenges. These collaborations aim to deliver business improvements or the development of new products. These projects can range up to £1 million for projects over three years.
CRACK IT Challenges are made up of three types of parties which are the Sponsors, Innovators and Funders. The Sponsor will create a challenge and will provide funding and/or resources. Innovators are businesses and academics are those that aim to resolve the challenge. The Funders are those that provide co-funding as well as contributing with resources.
16. D2N2 Growth Hub
Some of the features and benefits of D2N2 Growth Hub’s small business grants.
- Offers support to businesses to aid them in accessing grant funding
- Supports SMEs in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
- Grants are only available for new projects that haven’t started
- Payments are made retrospectively
- A business plan is required as part of the application which demonstrate the ROI
- You will need to share your financial accounts and projections
- They may ask you to provide three quotes for any work
- Growth Hub advisers are available to support you
- Generally grants are only available for businesses with under 250 employees
- Provide impartial advice and support through 1-2-1 support, events and business growth programmes.
D2N2 Growth Hub is a dedicated service for businesses in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire that delivers a single point of access for business support. They offer a team of business advisers and telephone enquiry service to guide and signpost businesses to the right resources and initiatives.
D2N2 Growth Hub can assist businesses in finding grants and support to suit their needs as well as supporting them through the process. You can join the Growth Hub and be allocated a business adviser to support you. They also offer a High Growth Accelerator programme with access to funding to support rapidly growing businesses as well as expert advice services.
D2N2 Growth Hub ScaleUp website
17. Duplex Investment Fund
Some of the features and benefits of Duplex Investment Fund’s small business grants.
- Offers grants and loans
- Provides access to public grants
- Assists in providing financial flexibility
- Designed to create business growth and jobs
- Grants for up to 40% of eligible costs
- Loans between £30,000 to £100,000
- Trading for two years profitably
- Based in Coventry or Warwickshire
- You will need a sound business plan or forecast
- Jobs will need to be created
Duplex Investment Fund is delivered by CWRT who is an FCA accredited lending provider. They administer the scheme on behalf of Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council and Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
Duplex Investment Fund combines loans and grants to enable businesses to invest and grow through providing a loan to cover capital investments allowing you to benefit from the investment straight away whilst you receive a grant for up to 40% of the cost. Businesses need to be in Coventry or Warwickshire, profitably trading for two years, have a sound business plan or forecast and will create jobs.
Duplex Investment Fund website
18. Greater Manchester Energy Efficiency Grant
Some of the features and benefits of Greater Manchester Energy Efficiency Grant’s small business grants.
- Offers energy efficiency grants
- Grants of up to £5,000
- Designed for small to medium-sized businesses
- For businesses in Greater Manchester
- Reduce your carbon footprint
- Reduce energy bills
- Heating equipment upgrades
- Process efficiency investments
- Green technologies
- Apply online
Greater Manchester Energy Efficiency Grant is run by Green Economy on behalf of Greater Manchester Combined Authority. The grants are designed to help businesses to make energy efficiency improvements to their premises that reduce their carbon footprint and energy bills. The grant is designed to assist small to medium-sized businesses in Greater Manchester.
Greater Manchester Energy Efficiency Grant can be used for a variety of energy efficiency measures including LED lighting upgrades, heating equipment upgrades, process efficiency investments and replacement drives or motors, and green technologies.
Greater Manchester Energy Efficiency Grant website
19. Enterprise Europe Network
Some of the features and benefits of Enterprise Europe Network’s small business grants.
- Helps businesses to find funding opportunities
- Can advise on the best ways to gain finance
- Assist you with developing your business plan
- Supports pre-seed businesses
- Seed and early-stage businesses
- Growth and scaling businesses
- R&D funding grants
- Can signpost to grant schemes
- Offers a pitch training programme
- Also direct you to loans and investors
Enterprise Europe Network is an organisation that helps businesses that want to get established and grow. They support businesses in growing and innovating by helping them to access funding, find trusted partners and make global connections. They can help you to find finance and funding for your business from both the public and private sectors.
Enterprise Europe Network provides a signposting service to grants, loans and investors, venture capitalists and banks. They provide support to businesses from pre-seed through to those that are growing and scaling up. They offer business support in accessing funding, developing a business plan and pitch training.
Enterprise Europe Network website
20. Fit For Nuclear
Some of the features and benefits of Fit For Nuclear’s small business grants.
- Helps UK manufacturing
- Assists with bidding for work in the nuclear supply chain
- Designed by industry leaders to stimulate the supply chain
- New build nuclear sites including engineering and components
- Operational support
- New decommissioning of facilities
- Open to businesses with no nuclear experience
- Businesses with ten or more employees
- Annual turnover above £1.6 million
- Some microenterprises may be eligible
Fit For Nuclear has been built by Nuclear AMRC and other leading industry partners to help potential businesses to bid for work in the nuclear supply chain either in new build, operation and decommissioning. They support the development of UK manufacturers in the areas of high-precision mechanical engineering, controls and instrumentation, electricals and other components.
Fit For Nuclear can help businesses that have no nuclear experience as long as they have more than ten employees or an annual turnover above £1.6 million, however, some microenterprises may be eligible if they provide a niche product or service.
21. ESA Business Applications
Some of the features and benefits of ESA Business Applications’ small business grants.
- Offers funding and support to businesses
- Open to all sectors developing technology for space and agriculture
- Offers thematic opportunities
- Can submit an open application
- Offers Zero Equity Funding
- Funding varies from project to project
- Tailored project management support
- Access to their network and partners
- Can use ESA branding to assist credibility
- Supports business in Europe
ESA Business Applications is managed by ESA Space Solutions who offer business applications, business incubation and technology transfer. They support businesses in Europe who are developing their business using satellite applications and space technology.
ESA Business Applications offers business applications on thematic opportunities and open applications. They provide Zero Equity Funding with a personalised consultant, technical and commercial guidance and access to their network of partners. They will also let you use the ESA brand to increase your credibility. Applicants can look to use spaceflight technologies, satellite communication, satellite navigation, satellite earth observation and space weather.
ESA Business Applications website
22. Breakthrough
Some of the features and benefits of Breakthrough’s small business grants.
- Offers a support programme
- Assistance in identifying opportunities
- Supports innovation
- Access to labs and trips
- Conduct bespoke business research
- Grants designed to purchase items
- Coaching support
- Assistance with recruitment
- Insight events
- Apply online
Breakthrough’s programme is managed by Unlocking Potential on behalf of the Growth Hub Cornwall and Isle of Scilly. The Breakthrough Programme has been developed to help businesses overcome challenges in their early stages.
Breakthrough Programme provides a range of business support which includes an experienced Business Development Manager. It starts with a kickoff workshop and business modelling. They can aid you in marketing and testing your business ideas. They can also support you in analysing your customers and value proposition, and your revenue streams and cost structure.
Breakthrough Programme website
23. Get Growing 2
Some of the features and benefits of Get Growing 2’s small business grants.
- Offers support to Hertfordshire businesses
- Designed for SMEs
- Tailored packaged of support
- Grants up to £10,000
- Up to 45% of eligible expenditure
- One-to-one advice
- Part ERDF funded
- Helping businesses to stabilise and grow
- Allocates a dedicated account manager
- Register your interest online
Get Growing 2 is managed by the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and is part ERDF funded. The scheme is designed for Hertfordshire SMEs wanting to grow their business. During 2020 they have extended their support due to the pandemic to include helping businesses to stabilise their operations and increased grant levels up to £10,000.
Get Growing 2 offers a tailored package of support designed to help businesses to grow and develop through a combination of advice and grants. The grants they offer can be used for up to 45% of eligible expenditure. They will allocate you a dedicated account manager and will give you one-to-one advice.
24. Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme
Some of the features and benefits of Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme’s small business grants.
- Provides support in accessing gigabit-capable broadband
- Vouchers up to £4,500
- For SMEs and homes
- Designed for rural businesses only
- Gain high-speed broadband connections
- Online postcode checker
- Will tell you which suppliers are active in your area
- New connections must be at least double the speed if under 50Mbps or exceed 100Mbs if over 50Mbps
- You must have less than 250 employees and turnover below £36 million
- Evidence of your SME or sole trader status will be needed
Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme is run by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and is designed to help businesses and homes to access gigabit-capable broadband connection. It was created by the government to assist the rollout of high-speed broadband connections to support the digital growth in the UK.
Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme offers vouchers worth up to £4,500 to SME businesses to access fast and reliable internet connection. You may be eligible if your broadband speed is below 1Gbps and you live in an eligible area, which you can check on their website. You may need to group your voucher with other businesses in your area.
Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme website
25. Let’s Get Started & Let’s Grow Grants
Some of the features and benefits of Let’s Get Started and Let’s Grow Grants’ small business grants.
- Offers two grant schemes that to help expand businesses and create jobs
- Let’s Get Started is for new businesses or startups
- Let’s Grow Grants supports growing businesses
- Both grants aid to assist business development and creating jobs
- Grants are available up to £5,000 depending on the scheme
- 50% matching funding is available
- Spend can not be committed when applying
- Applicants must operate their business or in some cases reside in Cannock Chase District
- Additional eligibility criteria applies
- More information is available by phoning the Economic Development Team
Let’s Get Started grants are for new businesses that have been operating for under six months. It offers grant of up to £1,500 which are available to match fund up to 50%. Grants are designed to support individuals with sustainable business ideas that can create jobs. Eligibility criteria includes being a resident in Cannock Chase or setting up a business in the area with a credible business plan.
Let’s Grow Grant supports businesses that have been running for over six months and they offer grants up to £5,000. The grants are designed to aid businesses in expanding and take on extra staff. To be eligible you must pay business rates to Cannock Chase District, operate in an eligible sector and not have committed to the spend yet.
26. Heritage Fund Grant
Some of the features and benefits of Heritage Fund Grant’s small business grants.
- National Lottery funded grants for heritage
- Grants from £10,000 to £10 million
- Open to not-for-profit organisations
- Also to partnership led not-for-profit organisation
- Grant application needs to be built in two phases – development and delivery
- A contribution of 5-10% is required
- Can submit an expression of interest online
- You will be invited to submit a development phase application
- Four funding rounds are held each year
- Decision made on applications within four months
Heritage Fund Grant is funded by the National Lottery and is open to organisations or projects that are not-for-profits or led by a not-for-profit organisation. They offer grants from £10,000 to £10 million for heritage projects which require a contribution of 5% below £1 million and 10% above it.
Heritage Fund Grant projects need to be made up of two phases – development and delivery. To access the grant, you need to make an expression of interest and then you will be invited to make a development phase application which happens four times per year. They review all applications within 12 weeks and decisions will be shared within four months.
27. Innovate UK
Some of the features and benefits of Innovate UK’s small business grants.
- Runs a range of innovation competitions
- Open to UK businesses
- Competitions have very specific requirements
- Target different business sectors
- Some opportunities are collaborative projects
- Funding contributions are often tiered based on business size
- Grant contribution often ranges from 50-70%
- The projects must promote development and innovation
- There are fixed deadlines on each project start, end and length
- Visit the website for details of specific opportunities
Innovate UK runs a variety of innovation competitions that promote the advancement of UK industry which could drive efficiencies, develop new products, create new processes and reduce environmental impacts. These competitions are very specific to the industry and the requirements and will be tied to specific targets or aims.
Innovate UK’s competitions tend to provide grant contributions from 50-70% of the eligible project costs which the contribution level is linked to the size of the businesses bidding for the funding. The competitions have fixed deadlines which includes the closing date, commencement date, end date and the project length.
28. Invest to Grow
Some of the features and benefits of Invest to Grow’s small business grants.
- A scheme designed to support innovation, growth and job creation
- Grants and loans up to £250,000
- Supports business across the East Midlands
- Managed by the University of Derby
- Available to SMEs, large enterprises, sole traders and partnerships
- Develop and improve products and services
- Expand or upgrade premises, machinery and equipment
- Innovate products, processes and systems
- Available to a wide variety of sectors
- You need to make an expression of interest online first
Invest to Grow is a programme run by the University of Derby and provides grants and loans to private businesses in the East Midlands including SMEs, large enterprises, sole traders and partnerships. The programme is funded by the repayment of loans which is used to invest in other businesses. The programme is designed to stimulate innovation, assist growth and create new jobs or safeguard existing jobs in the region.
Invest to Grow can be used to develop or improve products and services, expand or upgrade premises, machinery and equipment, and innovate products, processes and systems to create efficiency, growth and profitability.
29. Key Fund
Some of the features and benefits of Key Fund’s small business grants.
- Offers grant/loan packages
- Designed to help community and social enterprises
- Assistance to help start-up, grow or become more sustainable
- Suitable for new enterprises
- Aims to create new jobs and re-invigorate communities
- Offers investments from £5,000 to £300,000
- Grants of up to £50,000
- Available to businesses in the North of England and the Midlands
- Helps to access other grant opportunities available in the area
- Loans funded by a variety of partners
Key Fund is a social enterprise helping community and social enterprises in the North of England and Midlands to access funding. Funding is for start-ups, growth or increases sustainability to create new jobs and re-invigorate communities.
Key Fund offers a combination of grants and loans which include: Northern Impact Fund offers up to £150,000 with up to 30% grant funding. Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund offers up to £150,000 with up to a third grant from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Community Business Fund offers up to £250,000 with up to a third grant from Power to Change. They also offer standalone and Property Fund loans up to £300,000.
30. NBV Grant for Enterprise
Some of the features and benefits of NBV Grant for Enterprise’s small business grants.
- Supports the growth and development of businesses with loans and grants
- Caters for new business start-ups
- Available in City of Lincoln and Greater Lincolnshire
- Supports new businesses in launching and growing
- Grants up to £500 to support new businesses
- Available to businesses that have been operating for under one year
- Can be used to for start-up equipment or marketing costs
- Complete an expression of interest online
- If successful you will need to complete a full application
- Support by Start Up Business Advisors
NBV Grant for Enterprise is designed to cater for start-up businesses who have been trading for less than one year businesses that are based in the City of Lincoln and Greater Lincolnshire. It can support businesses with a jumpstart to get going, aid innovation, or invest in growth.
NBV Grant for Enterprise offers grant funding of up to £500. To apply you need to contact their Start Up Business Advisers to discuss your business idea then complete a full application which they will support you in completing. If you are successful you can purchase your approved items and claim your grant.
NBV Grant for Enterprise website
31. Business Growth Fund
Some of the features and benefits of Business Growth Fund’s small business grants.
- Business growth investment fund
- Programme with £1.18 million funding
- Available to businesses in Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council, North East Combined Authority and Sunderland City Council
- Open to businesses wanting to establish themselves in the target area or expand
- Can be used for capital expenditure on plant, machinery, equipment, premises and fit-out works
- Grants of between £20,000 and £300,000
- Intervention rates of up 30% of eligible spend
- Minimum project size of £67,000
- To apply you need to fill in an enquiry form
- An advisor will contact you to discuss the project
North of Tyne Growth Fund is a £1.18 million programme that has been designed to support the growth of small to medium-sized businesses which is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. They offer grants that can provide up to 30% of eligible expenditure. They support businesses in Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council, North East Combined Authority and Sunderland City Council or those wanting to establish themselves in the area.
North of Tyne Growth Fund is only available to existing businesses with projects that are a minimum of £67,000 and they offer grants of £20,000 to £300,000 with an intervention rate of up to 30%. To apply for a grant, you will need to complete an enquiry form. A project advisor will get in contact with you and discuss your business, project and eligibility.
North of Tyne Growth Fund website
32. Repair Grants for Heritage at Risk
Some of the features and benefits of Repair Grants for Heritage at Risk’s small business grants.
- Supports the repair and conservation of listed buildings
- Also assists with scheduled monuments and registered parks and gardens
- Focuses on sites with the greatest need and highest at risk
- Projects should not be able to go ahead without the grant
- Available to those who own or manage historic sites
- Local authorities responsible for sites
- Organisations encouraging conservation of historic environments
- Needs to be listed on the Heritage at Risk Register
- Offers a range of other grants
- Contact your local office to discuss your application
Repair Grants for Heritage at Risk is a grant programme that helps to protect and save historic sites in England. They can provide grants that can be used to repair and conserve listed buildings, scheduled monuments and registered parks and gardens. Projects should reduce the risk that historic sites face.
Repair Grants for Heritage at Risk is focused on those sites which are in the most need of repair and they tend to support projects that would be unable to go ahead without the grant funding. You need to apply through your local office, and they advise that you discuss the project with them first.
Repair Grants for Heritage at Risk website
33. Small Growth Grants Dorset
Some of the features and benefits of Small Growth Grants Dorset’s small business grants.
- Provides support to start-ups and growing businesses
- Assign a personal Business Growth Consultant
- Tailor a support package to you
- Provides support events
- Grants range up to £40,000
- Match funding is required, amount depends on the grant
- Open to businesses in Dorset
- Funded by UK Shared Prosperity Fund
- Can be used for equipment, premise works and fitting
- Low carbon grants are available
Dorset Growth Hub offers business support to start-ups and growing businesses in the Dorset region which includes signposting, funded business support and grants. There are several grants available from Dorset County Council which include start-up, grow and low carbon grants.
The start-up and growth grants are provided by UK Shared Prosperity Fund to support communities and place, local businesses, people and skills. These are available for capital and revenue grants to support the increase in productivity of businesses, support growth and economic stability. Low carbon grants are available to support organisations in taking steps to improve energy efficiency and install renewable technologies.
Small Growth Grants Dorset website
34. Leading Growth Teesside University
Some of the features and benefits of Tees Valley Leadership and Management Programme’s small business grants.
- Designed to help businesses to develop and upskill their staff
- Caters for businesses in the Tees Valley
- Provided by Teesside University Business School
- Develop leadership and management capacity
- Offered to SMEs
- Fully funded training
- Helps to fill skill gaps, improve productivity and boost business growth
- Bespoke training programmes
- Training is offered through the Skills Support for the Workforce project
- Fully funded programme that is part ERDF funded
Leading Growth programme is run by Teesside University Business School is run by Tees Valley Business to help develop businesses through training and upskilling staff. The project is a fully funded practical programme that is part-funded by ERDF.
The Leading Growth programme provides an innovative approach to learning using a range of methods including site visits, think tanks, action learning sets, expert facilitators and overnight residentials. It offers the opportunity to meet and learn from other businesses in the region and develop networks as well as improve leadership and management skills.
Tees Valley Leadership and Management Programme website
35. Eden Tourism Grant
Some of the features and benefits of Eden Tourism Grant’s small business grants.
- Provides support to organisations promoting tourism
- Offers marketing grants
- Maximum grants of £500
- Open to businesses and social enterprises
- Need to outline the event or project
- Provide costings for the activity
- Demonstrate own funding and community support
- Show how the local area will benefit
- Applications will be considered in two weeks
- Delivered by Eden District Council
Eden Tourism Grant is delivered by Eden Tourism which is part of Eden District Council. The grant has been designed to promote tourism in the Eden District and offers grants of up to £500.
Eden Tourism Grant is available to businesses and social enterprises who are delivering events, activities and projects that will stimulate tourism. You will need to fill in an application form which draws out the details of the activity, the projected costs and split of funding, how the community will benefit and their support, and the partners you are working with. You will also need to show how you will measure the outcomes of the activity.