Finding a suitable small business grant for your start-up business can be daunting because there are so many to choose from. Not only that, many of them are aimed at specific industries and regions, so it’s a time consuming process to sift through them all.
However, there’s no need to worry, because you can scroll through this list of 64 small business grants for new and start-up businesses that will give you an overview of what businesses are eligible and what grants are on offer.
AD:VENTURE – Leeds City Region
Businesses within the first 3 years of trading can apply for support. The business must trade within Craven, Harrogate, Selby, York, Calderdale, Bradford, Kirklees, or Leeds.
Capital grant funding is available, but amounts will vary depending on the business age. One-to-one support, workshops, networking, and incubator office space are also available.
- Support: Grant, expertise, and advice
- Business Stage: First 3 years of trading
- Region: Yorkshire and the Humber
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Agri-tech Cornwall
Businesses of all ages can apply but any funding must be used for products and services within the agriculture, horticulture, and food sectors.
Capital grant funding is available between £2,500 and £25,000. You can also take part in collaborative research projects.
- Support: Grant between £2,500 – £25,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: South West
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Arts University Bournemouth Innovation Vouchers
Businesses, social enterprises, and sole traders of all ages can apply but must trade within Bournemouth, Christchurch, East Dorset, North Dorset, Poole, Purbeck, West Dorset, Weymouth, or Portland.
An innovation voucher worth up to £5,000 is available but you must be able to match 50% with your own funds. You can also gain access to subsidised staff expertise and make use of facilities and equipment at the university.
- Support: Innovation voucher worth up to £5,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: South West
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Be Inspired at Staffordshire University
Businesses within the first 2 years of trading can apply for £3,000 of financial support. Alongside this, you can receive 8 training workshops over 12 months, monthly business and networking events, monthly mentoring sessions, and a bi-monthly business adviser review.
- Support: Grant of £3,000, expertise, and advice
- Business Stage: First 2 years of trading
- Region: West Midlands
- Maximum company size: 9 employees
Buckinghamshire Business Growth Grants
Businesses based within Buckinghamshire can apply for a grant between £1,000 and £5,000.
Acceptable industries include construction, hospitality and catering, IT, digital and creative, manufacturing, real estate and property, science and technology, service industries, transport and distribution, travel and leisure, and utility providers.
- Support: Grant between £1,000 – £5,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: South East
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Business Advice and Masterclass – East of England
All businesses trading within Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk can apply for grants for innovation development.
You can also receive advice on how to start a business, grow a business, low carbon businesses, and find access to finance.
- Support: Grants, expertise, and advice
- Business Stage: All
- Region: Eastern
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Business Development Grant Scheme – Scarborough
Businesses based within Scarborough, or planning to relocate there, can apply for a grant. Pre-start and start-up business with a maximum of 10 employees can receive up to £1,000. Established businesses with a maximum of 30 employees can receive up to £5,000. The amount of grant you receive with be worth 50% of eligible project costs.
You will not be able to apply for a grant if your business sector is public services, holiday accommodation, estate agencies, property developers, or utility companies.
- Support: Grant between £1,000 – £5,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: Yorkshire and the Humber
- Maximum company size: 30 employees
Business Growth Grant – Leicestershire
Small and medium enterprises that have been trading for a minimum of 12 months can seek assistance to scale up. Grants are available between £2,000 and £25,000 to provide 35% towards capital projects.
You will also be supported throughout the application process by a Business Gateway Advisor.
- Support: Grant between £2,000 – £25,000
- Business Stage: SMEs trading over 12 months
- Region: East Midlands
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Business Growth Programme 2 – Birmingham & Solihull
This programme is only for those who are trading business to business and any support must be used to create jobs. Grants are available between £10,001 and £1,000,000 and can be used to pay for capital equipment, improvements to production processes, application of advanced technologies, relocation and expansion, product development, market development, and building information modelling.
To apply, your business must be based in Birmingham, Solihull, Bromsgrove, Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, Redditch, Tamworth, or Wyre Forest.
- Support: Grant between £10,001 – £1,000,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: West Midlands
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Business Growth Programme 2 – The Marches
To qualify for assistance, you must be trading business to business and the project needs to create jobs. Your business must also be based in, or be moving to, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, or Herefordshire.
If you have been trading for less than 6 months, you can apply for a grant between £2,500 and £10,000. If you have been trading for more than 6 months, you can apply for a grant between £10,001 and £1,000,000.
Grants can be used to pay for capital equipment, improvements to production processes, application of advanced technologies, relocation and expansion, product development, market development, and building information modelling.
- Support: Grant between £2,500 – £1,000,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: West Midlands
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Business Loans, Grants, and Funding – Scotland
To make use of this programme, your business must be based in, or be planning to move to, Scotland. Support comes in the form of being helped to find funding from private and public organisations.
Suitable industries include agriculture and food, business and finance, construction, education, health, hospitality and catering, IT, digital and creative, manufacturing, mining, real estate and proper, science and technology, service industries, transport and distribution, travel and leisure, utility providers, wholesale, and retail.
- Support: Finance, grant, loan
- Business Stage: All
- Region: Scotland
- Maximum company size: No limit
Business Solutions – South West England
To be considered for this programme, your business must be in a local authority in the south west of England.
Support comes in the form of a range of programmes to help grow your business. Expertise and advice are provided alongside potential finance options.
- Support: Finance, grant, expertise, and advice
- Business Stage: All
- Region: South West
- Maximum company size: No limit
Business Start-Up Grant Scheme – Mansfield
Businesses that have been trading for less than 2 years can apply for a grant worth £1,000. This must be used for start-up costs such as machinery and equipment, office furniture, shop fittings, security equipment, business stationery, and marketing.
The programme is aimed at businesses within the Mansfield area.
- Support: Grant up to £1,000
- Business Stage: First 2 years of trading
- Region: East Midlands
- Maximum company size: 9 employees
Business Support Grant Scheme – Tewkesbury Borough
This scheme is designed for businesses residing within Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire.
You will receive advice from the council on setting up or expanding your business, finding available business premises, a directory of suppliers, access to business groups, and will be directed to external places that can provide grants.
- Support: Directions to external grants
- Business Stage: All
- Region: South West
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Civic Improvement Fund (ECIF) – Elmbridge
Businesses in the Elmbridge area can apply for a grant between £500 and £15,000. The grant will cover up to 90% of the cost of a business project that benefits the local economy or attracts people to local services and amenities.
Projects could include things like street furniture, improving shop fronts, marketing and training initiatives, and community involvement projects.
- Support: Grant between £500 – £15,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: South East
- Maximum company size: No limit
Conservation Grant Scheme – Howardian Hills
Businesses within the Howardian Hills area can apply for financial help for rural conservation work and community infrastructure projects in the local area.
Suitable industries include agriculture and food, construction, education, IT, digital and creative, travel and leisure, and utility providers.
- Support: Unspecified grant
- Business Stage: All
- Region: Yorkshire and the Humber
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme
Small and medium enterprises within the Coventry, North Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Rugby, Leamington Spa, Stratford on Avon, and Warwick areas can apply for grants between £1,000 and £50,000. These grants will make up to 40% of a project’s total cost.
Charities, not for profit organisations, and businesses within the retail sector are not eligible to apply.
- Support: Grant between £1,000 – £50,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: West Midlands
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
CRACK IT – Challenges
This programme is designed for industry, academics, and small and medium enterprises who want to take part in a challenge-led competition with the overall aim of solving business and scientific challenges.
Successful applicants will receive funding to help solve challenges set by the discovery of new technologies and the use of animals for scientific purposes.
- Support: Undisclosed grant
- Business Stage: All
- Region: United Kingdom
- Maximum company size: No limit
D2N2 Capital Growth Fund
This programme is for small and medium enterprises within the Derbyshire and Nottingham area with the potential to grow. You can apply for a grant between £1,500 and £10,000 to cover 30% of capital purchases for machinery, equipment, and IT hardware.
- Support: Grant between £1,500 – £10,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: East Midlands
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
D2N2 Growth Hub Business Investment Fund (BIF)
Small and medium enterprises within Derbyshire and Nottingham can apply for a grant between £3,500 and £20,000 to cover 35% of project costs.
To be eligible, the business will need to be looking to improve productivity, efficiency, or job creation.
- Support: Grant between £3,500 – £20,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: East Midlands
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
DE-Carbonise Project – Derby and Derbyshire
Businesses in the East Midlands can apply for a grant between £1,000 and £20,000 that will cover 40% of eligible project costs such as adding efficient lighting, insulation, heating and cooling systems, equipment, renewable energy, resource efficiency, waste reduction, and low carbon transport.
Businesses within sectors such as social welfare, education, banking, and insurance are not eligible.
You can also receive advice about reducing business carbon emissions.
- Support: Grant between £1,000 – £20,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: East Midlands
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
DigitalCity Accelerator Programme – Tees Valley
Digital small and medium enterprises within Tees Valley that have been trading for 18 months or less can apply for a £5,000 grant. To be eligible, the business must show growth potential.
You can also receive one-to-one coaching, a 7-week workshop programme, and collaboration with enterprise and research institutes in Teesside University.
- Support: Grant up to £5,000
- Business Stage: First 18 months of trading
- Region: North East
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
DRIVEN – ESF High-Level Skills Programme
This programme is designed to help small and medium enterprises within Derbyshire and Nottingham to recruit talented students and graduates.
Businesses can receive £1,000 funding per graduate recruited for 400 hours or more and/or a £1,000 grant for a fully funded 80-hour internship. There is no limit to how many graduates you can recruit.
You’ll also receive free advertising, job advert creation, job promotion, sifting assistance, and interview support.
- Support: £1,000 funding per graduate recruited
- Business Stage: All
- Region: East Midlands
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Energy Efficiency Grant – Greater Manchester
This programme is designed for small and medium enterprises within Wigan, Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, Salford, Tameside, Manchester, Trafford, and Stockport. To be eligible, you must be trading business to business.
You can receive a grant of up to £12,500 to meet 50% of project costs relating to energy efficiency projects such as improved lighting, heating, and equipment upgrades.
- Support: Grant up to £12,500
- Business Stage: All
- Region: North West
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Energy for Business – Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Businesses in Derbyshire and Nottingham with energy efficiency projects can apply for business support and product innovation. There is also a reference to an undisclosed amount of grant funding.
- Support: Undisclosed funding, business support, expertise, and advice
- Business Stage: All
- Region: East Midlands
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Enterprise Europe Network – East of England
Businesses in east England can receive expert advice about commercialising new ideas and succeeding in international markets.
You’ll receive help with finding partners for research, development, and innovation, as well as assistance with finding new markets, accessing funding and finance, and planning for internal resources.
- Support: Access to funding, expertise, and advice
- Business Stage: All
- Region: Eastern
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Enterprise Europe Network – Greater London
Businesses in Greater London can receive expert advice about commercialising new ideas and succeeding in international markets.
You’ll receive help with finding partners for research, development, and innovation, as well as assistance with finding new markets, accessing funding and finance, and planning for internal resources.
- Support: Access to funding, expertise, and advice
- Business Stage: All
- Region: London
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Enterprise Europe Network – Midlands
Businesses in the Midlands can receive expert advice about commercialising new ideas and succeeding in international markets.
You’ll receive help with finding partners for research, development, and innovation, as well as assistance with finding new markets, accessing funding and finance, and planning for internal resources.
- Support: Access to funding, expertise, and advice
- Business Stage: All
- Region: East Midlands, West Midlands
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Enterprise Europe Network – Northern England
Businesses in the north of England can receive expert advice about commercialising new ideas and succeeding in international markets.
You’ll receive help with finding partners for research, development, and innovation, as well as assistance with finding new markets, accessing funding and finance, and planning for internal resources.
- Support: Access to funding, expertise, and advice
- Business Stage: All
- Region: North East, North West
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Enterprise Europe Network – South East England
Businesses in south east England can receive expert advice about commercialising new ideas and succeeding in international markets.
You’ll receive help with finding partners for research, development, and innovation, as well as assistance with finding new markets, accessing funding and finance, and planning for internal resources.
- Support: Access to funding, expertise, and advice
- Business Stage: All
- Region: South East
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Enterprise Europe Network – South West England
Businesses in south west England can receive expert advice about commercialising new ideas and succeeding in international markets.
You’ll receive help with finding partners for research, development, and innovation, as well as assistance with finding new markets, accessing funding and finance, and planning for internal resources.
- Support: Access to funding, expertise, and advice
- Business Stage: All
- Region: South West
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
FEAST 2
This programme is available for food and drink manufacturers in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and South East Midlands.
You can apply for a grant to cover 25% of the total cost of production equipment. You will also receive technical support, advice on product testing, labelling, and certification, as well as access to events and workshops.
- Support: Grant up to 25% of equipment purchases
- Business Stage: All
- Region: East Midlands
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Future Focus – Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
Businesses within Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly can apply for grants up to £2,500 to help with purchasing equipment and resources, accessing resources, and subsidising salary costs for new employees. It can also be used to pay for existing employees to undertake innovation projects.
- Support: Grant up to £2,500
- Business Stage: All
- Region: South West
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS) – UK
This programme is designed to help businesses to upgrade their broadband connection.
Rural small and medium enterprises in the United Kingdom can get together as a group to apply for a grant of up to £3,500 to cover installation costs.
- Support: Grant up to £3,500
- Business Stage: All
- Region: United Kingdom
- Maximum company size: No limit
Grants for Business Growth – Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire
Small and medium-sized enterprises in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire that have been trading for at least 12 months and have a project that will cost over £40,000 can apply for a grant of between £10,000 to £250,000.
The grant is designed to be used for property, development, research, staff, and you’ll receive advice on how to develop your business.
- Support: Grant between £10,000 – £250,000
- Business Stage: Over 12 months of trading
- Region: West Midlands
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Heritage Enterprise (HE) – UK
This programme is designed to provide funding to help restore neglected historical buildings and sites.
Community organisations across the United Kingdom can apply for grants between £250,000 and £5,000,000.
- Support: Grant between £250,000 – £5,000,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: United Kingdom
- Maximum company size: No limit
Horizon 2020 Funding
Consortiums comprised of at least 3 organisations from different countries can apply for funding to assist with ground-breaking research and technologies, research training and development, research infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, materials, biotechnology, information and communication technology, nanotechnology, and private research.
This assistance aims to drive forward projects that look to improve European research standards or provide solutions to climate change and food security issues.
- Support: Unspecified grant
- Business Stage: All
- Region: United Kingdom
- Maximum company size: No limit
Innovate UK – Grant Funding, Innovation Loans, and Expert Support
Businesses that are pursuing a project that deals with innovation or technology, artificial intelligence and data, an ageing society, clean growth, or the future of mobility are eligible.
Businesses can apply for a grant between £25,000 and £10,000,000. UK based small and medium-sized enterprises can also apply for an innovation loan between £100,000 and £1,000,000 to help with late-stage research and development.
- Support: Grant between £25,000 – £10,000,000, innovation loan between £100,000 – £1,000,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: United Kingdom
- Maximum company size: No limit
Invest In – Nottingham
This programme is designed for businesses looking to expand in Nottinghamshire or relocate to the area.
Businesses can apply for funding and will also be able to access services relating to bespoke research and economic data, property solutions and location advice, recruitment and training support, relocation support for employees, and links to business networks.
- Support: Unspecified funding
- Business Stage: All
- Region: East Midlands
- Maximum company size: No limit
Invest to Grow
Businesses operating within the East Midlands can app for grants and loans between £15,000 and £250,000 to help with growth, innovation, and job creation.
Business to consumer, professional service, farm-based agriculture, and retail sector companies are not eligible.
- Support: Grants and loans between £15,000 – £250,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: East Midlands
- Maximum company size: No limit
Key Fund – Midlands and the North of England
The programme is designed to help social enterprises in the North and Midlands to increase their community, economic, and environmental impact.
You can apply for grants and loans between £5,000 and £300,000 to help with the cost of buying equipment, start-up costs, and restoring derelict buildings.
- Support: Grants and loans between £5,000 – £300,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: East Midlands, North East, North West, West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Low Carbon Workspaces – Hertfordshire
This scheme is designed to help businesses in Hertfordshire to implement energy efficiency measures.
You can apply for grants between £1,000 and £5,000 and will also receive advice from an energy advisor.
- Support: Grant between £1,000 – £5,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: Eastern
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Low Carbon Workspaces – Berkshire
This scheme is designed to help businesses in Berkshire to implement energy efficiency measures.
You can apply for grants between £1,000 and £5,000 and will also receive advice from an energy advisor.
- Support: Grant between £1,000 – £5,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: South East
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Low Carbon Workspaces – Buckinghamshire
This scheme is designed to help businesses in Buckinghamshire to implement energy efficiency measures.
You can apply for grants between £1,000 and £5,000 and will also receive advice from an energy advisor.
- Support: Grant between £1,000 – £5,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: South East
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
NBV Grant for Enterprise
Micro businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises located in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Greater Lincolnshire can apply for grants between £1,000 and £2,500. The funding can be used to buy capital equipment and to pay for consultancy services.
Retail or business to consumer companies are not eligible.
- Support: Grant between £1,000 – £2,500
- Business Stage: All
- Region: East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
North of Tyne Growth Fund
This programme is aimed at small and medium-sized businesses within Newcastle, North Tyneside, and Northumberland that are starting an expansion project that costs at least £134,000.
You can apply for a grant between £40,000 and £200,000 to cover 30% of the project cost. Only projects that create new employment opportunities are eligible.
- Support: Grant between £40,000 – £200,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: North East
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Northern Ireland Business Support Finder
Businesses based in Northern Ireland can find help with undisclosed financial assistance. You can also receive advice services and make use of initiatives to help with start-ups and business growth.
- Support: Undisclosed financial assistance
- Business Stage: All
- Region: Northern Ireland
- Maximum company size: No limit
PNE Enterprise – Business Support Service – North East England
This programme is designed for start-up and existing businesses within the Tyneside, Northumberland, or County Durham areas.
You can apply for grants and loans, receive one-to-one mentoring, take part in business courses, attend events, and make use of online resources.
- Support: Undisclosed grants and loans
- Business Stage: All
- Region: North East
- Maximum company size: 250 employees
Productivity Through Innovation
This scheme is aimed at small to medium-sized enterprises in the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire area.
This is suitable for research-active businesses who are interested in research projects. Start-up businesses are not eligible.
You can receive 4 fully funded 200-hour postgraduate placements, up to 5 days of expert consultancy, funding for collaborative research, and a 20%-30% grant towards the salary of a graduate for up to 12 months.
- Support: Fully funded postgraduate placement, graduate salary grant
- Business Stage: Active businesses
- Region: East Midlands
- Maximum company size: No limit
Proof of Concept Funding – Worcestershire
Small and medium-sized enterprises in Worcestershire with innovative business ideas can apply for grants between £10,000 and £30,000 to cover 50% of the cost of a project.
Grants are only provided to projects that demonstrate significant economic potential and cover costs for machinery, market research, IPR protection, accreditations, prototyping, marketing, and building works.
- Support: Grant between £10,000 – £30,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: West Midlands
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Repair Grants for Heritage at Risk – England
Grants are provided to help with the repair and conservation of historic buildings, monuments, and landscapes.
You can apply for grants to cover urgent repair matters as well as project development work, surveys, and investigations that aim to improve future management.
- Support: Undisclosed grants
- Business Stage: All
- Region: England
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Signage Grant Scheme – South Somerset District Council (Area Northwards)
Businesses, associations, community groups, and parish and town councils can apply for grants to cover the cost of new permanent signage in key locations.
Groups of businesses can collectively apply for a grant of up to £3,000 to cover 75% of costs, while individual businesses can apply for a grant of £500. You will also receive advice on design and placement of signage.
- Support: Grant up to £3,000 for a group of businesses, grant up to £500 for an individual business
- Business Stage: All
- Region: South West
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
South East Creatives (SECCADS)
This programme is designed for creative, cultural, or digital small and medium-sized enterprises located in Essex, East Sussex, and Kent looking to grow their business.
You can apply for grants between £1,000 and £20,000 to cover 35% of the total cost of a project. You will also receive workshops and mentorship, business diagnostics, and job creation and internship support.
This programme is only until December 2020.
- Support: Grant between £1,000 – £20,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: Eastern, South East
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Southwark Pioneers Fund
Businesses and charities in Southwark with less than 10 full-time employees can apply for grants of up to £5,000 for projects that aim to deliver social value to the local community.
- Support: Grant up to £5,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: London
- Maximum company size: 9 employees
Staffordshire Business Funding
Small and medium-sized enterprises located in Staffordshire can apply for grants up to £5,000. The grant must be used to pay for specialist advice to help develop or market a new product or service.
- Support: Grant up to £5,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: West Midlands
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Sustainable Development Fund – Howardian Hills
This programme provides grants to help fund projects in the Howardian Hills area of outstanding natural beauty.
Projects must look to conserve and enhance landscape, biodiversity, or cultural heritage features, benefit local communities, promote sustainable tourism, and/or support the rural economy.
- Support: Unspecified grant
- Business Stage: All
- Region: Yorkshire and the Humber
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Transport and Logistical Efficiencies (TALE)
Small to medium-sized enterprises located in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent, and East Sussex that deal with the transportation of commercial goods or services can apply for grants between £1,000 to £60,000. The grant will cover up to 40% of eligible project costs.
Non-commercial sectors, passenger transport, retail, and consultants are not eligible.
You can also receive data diagnostic assessment to see how you currently use data, practical workshops, and expert advice on how to improve performance.
- Support: Grant between £1,000 – £60,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: Eastern, South East
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
Tees Valley leadership and Management Programme
Small and medium-sized enterprises located in Tees Valley within Redcare and Cleveland, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool, and Darlington can apply for grants between £2,500 and £5,000. The grant will provide 40% of funding towards eligible projects.
The grant must be used for projects that deal with coaching, mentoring, and/or knowledge transfer to improve leadership and management capabilities.
- Support: Grant between £2,500 – £5,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: North East
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
The Hive – North Somerset
This programme offers a workspace for businesses with a maximum of 9 employees that can be used as a virtual office, as well as a fully-equipped meeting space.
You will also be able to make use of Wi-Fi and on-site business support.
- Support: Unspecified finance options, workspace area, Wi-Fi, reception area, business support
- Business Stage: All
- Region: South West
- Maximum company size: 9 employees
Tourist Grants – Eden
Businesses located in the district of Eden with projects that will generate tourism and other local economic benefits can apply for small grants up to a maximum of £500.
- Support: Grant up to £500
- Business Stage: All
- Region: North West
- Maximum company size: 149 employees
UEZ Fund Programme
Small and medium-sized enterprises in the food and drink manufacturing or packaging sectors can apply for grants up to £20,000 to be used to purchase capital assets within a business project.
You can also receive 5 days of technical services and consultancy to support innovative production processes in the food industry, access to specialist facilities, equipment, and events, training sessions, and a business review with mentoring.
- Support: Grant up to £20,000
- Business Stage: All
- Region: England
- Maximum company size: 249 employees
What is a small business grant?
One of the most daunting aspects of starting a business is working out the best way to fund it. Of course, you’ll want to set yourself up for the best possible chance of success, but it’s important to take a step back and evaluate whether your funding options are a good idea in the longer term.
When starting a business, many people will turn to banks to source loans that can help to cover start-up costs. Although this is certainly an option, you may also run into high-interest rates and restrictive repayment options that can make things difficult further down the line and cost you a lot of money.
One alternative to a loan is to apply for a small business grant. These come in a variety of different overall packages but usually contain a cash grant that can be used to help to start or grow your business, along with other perks.
Grants tend to be provided by the government to help small businesses to grow, create new employment opportunities, and to improve the overall economy. Councils may also choose to hand out grants to improve certain aspects of the local area. For example, rural councils may provide funding to small businesses who will use the money to restore areas of natural beauty with future increased tourism in mind.
What grants are available to start a small business?
The kind of grant available to you will depend on what kind of business you are running. Typically, you can apply for cash grants to help fund specific costs of starting and growing a business. For example, a grant may be available for the cost of equipment, employee training, or product development.
There are also Regional Growth Funds to take advantage of if you live in certain areas of the county. These are provided by organisations to help small businesses to grow in the local area. Often, there will be a specific reason for these grants being available. For example, if your business has the potential to create new job opportunities for local residents, or if the works carried out will provide an overall benefit to the community.
Of course, grants aren’t always there to pay for equipment. You can also make use of innovation grants that help businesses to pay for professional advice about their products and services that may help the business to grow. For example, you could seek advice about new technologies, intellectual property, or innovative ideas.
Likewise, grants can also help to cover some of the cost of hiring an apprentice or postgraduate student. This is a great way to help local residents to find work and provide newer businesses with the funds to find new employees.
How much money can I get?
How much money you will receive will again depend on the kind of business that you’re running and what kind of work the money will be put towards.
For example, some small business grants will include a cash amount of around £500 to help with start-up costs. Alternatively, some grants include cash amounts in the millions if they are large projects that help the community.
It should be noted, however, that many grants will require the business to put in some of their own money. By way of example, a grant could be available to cover 40% of a project’s overall cost. That means you’d need to find the money to cover the other 60% yourself.
How do you apply for a small business grant?
To apply for a small business grant, you’ll first need to do some background research. There’s no point wasting time applying if you’re not actually eligible for the grant. Check that your business resides in the eligible area for a specific grant and meets all the other criteria.
You will then need to follow the process laid out by each governing body, but this will usually involve getting in touch with them to present your case. Make sure you’ve got a solid business plan in place before doing this because grant approvals can be difficult at times due to the volume of businesses applying.
The kind of details you’ll need to compile include information about your business and its employees, the reason why you’re applying for the grant, exactly what you intend to do with the money and why you’d be a good fit for approval, and even how the outcome of receiving a grant could help a certain cause or the local community.
Don’t give up if you’re not successful. There are hundreds of grants available within the United Kingdom so there will be opportunities to apply for help elsewhere. Take note of any feedback you receive and use this to improve your next application if required.
How long does it take to get approved?
Grant approval times can vary significantly depending on the kind of grant you’re applying for. If it’s for a large cash sum, it is likely to take much longer so it’s worth starting your application as quickly as possible to avoid long waits while other business applications are dealt with.
However, it is also important not to make mistakes by rushing the process. Grant applications can be tricky as you need to show that you are the ideal business to be approved, so be thorough in your research and answers.