Small Business Grants & Support Programmes
Starting or growing a business can be very challenging, so it’s important for businesses to take advantage of all the help they can get, particularly if it can be obtained from the government. There are a number of small business grants & support programmes that have been designed by the Government to help small businesses across multiple sectors grow.
All businesses will need assistance at some point, in many different ways. When you’re a small business looking to make the next step to expand, it’s good to understand what help is out there.
There are a number of government-backed support and finance schemes for businesses, including grants, finance and loans and funding for SMEs and start-ups. Your eligibility will depend on the size, location and activities of your business.
Business Grants
Most national and local grants focus on particular business activities or purposes. These themes are:
Investment
There are regional grants that support growth through capital investment and job creation. The location of your business may increase your chances of successfully applying for a grant. You may be eligible for support if you’re starting a business in an economically disadvantaged area, especially if it’s one with high unemployment. Local support (e.g. subsidised rent and rates) is often available to encourage small businesses to start up in particular areas.
Innovation
There is a wide range of grant schemes that encourage research and development (R&D) activities in the UK’s Hi-Tech industries. Support is available from investigating an idea through to proof of concept and development. R&D grants that focus on specific industries are periodically launched. There are also tax incentives that support R&D activities.
Energy and the Environment
These schemes recognise the additional cost for businesses that adopt or engage in investments that improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. R&D programmes are available to companies working on developing energy and environmental products. Grant schemes may be available for new buildings or for refurbishing existing buildings that aim to improve energy use. Capital allowances are also available to businesses that install energy saving equipment and processes.
Training
Assistance to develop the skills and capability of staff is provided through apprenticeships. The National Apprenticeship Service gives advice to employers on how to start an apprenticeship scheme in their business. You may also qualify for a grant of £1,000 towards recruitment costs and a further £1,500 towards training if you take on a long-term unemployed person.
Growth Vouchers 
The Growth Vouchers programme helps small businesses access expert advice to help them grow. Vouchers worth up to £2,000 will be given to the majority of businesses who sign up for the programme to help them pay for strategic private-sector advice. Businesses have to match the amount with their own funds.
Successful businesses will then be able to search for a supplier on the new marketplace managed by Enterprise Nation. Accredited suppliers feature the Growth Vouchers logo next to their name.
Tax Reliefs
Even if none of the above themes relate to your business the government also offers support through tax schemes such as R&D Tax Credits and Capital Allowances to reduce tax liabilities. Mico Edward Accountants can advise you on the schemes that may be available to your business.
Government National Business Support Programmes
Mentors ME
Mentors ME provides access to 15,000 trained volunteer business mentors from the SME community to boost local mentor network.
Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS)
The MAS supports manufacturing businesses in England by reviewing their business and providing subsidised consultancy support in areas such as business planning, manufacturing, innovation and efficiency, raising finance and growing the supply chain.
Growth Accelerator (GA)
The GA Supports SMEs with high growth potential to access finance, commercialise innovation, develop leadership skills and formulate/deliver a high growth strategy.
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI)
UKTI provides advice on export capability and opportunities, contacts in overseas markets, arranging overseas visits, e-commerce, export training and market research.
Technology Strategy Board (TSB)
The TSB gives grant funding to support R&D and innovation activity to companies across the UK mainly through web-based competitions, some of which are targeted at SMEs. Also supports networks to connect partners to promote knowledge sharing.
Design Council (Designing Demand Programme)
The Design Council is a small national programme that helps SMEs use design to improve performance through bespoke packages of design support and coaching delivering through design associates. Find out more.
Intellectual Property Office (IPO)
The IPO provides services such as workshops for SMEs, IP awareness raising and online assessment tools. It also trains independent business advisers as IP auditors so that they can advise SMEs on IP issues.
