{"id":22501,"date":"2025-07-28T21:13:47","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T21:13:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mysourcefunding.com\/?p=22501"},"modified":"2025-07-28T21:13:49","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T21:13:49","slug":"grants-for-small-businesses-and-how-to-apply","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mysourcefunding.com\/?p=22501","title":{"rendered":"Grants for small businesses \u2013 and how to apply"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Whether you\u2019re a small business owner or an aspiring entrepreneur, a cash injection is never a bad thing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Raising<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> finance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is a crucial stage in starting a business, so a grant could be the very thing that kickstarts or revives your venture \u2013 helping you purchase the tools, equipment or services you need for operations, or simply as the crucial backing to achieve your business goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While starting your own business might be a tough gig right now, especially given inflation, the cost-of-living crisis and economic uncertainty, the number of new businesses has increased significantly over the years, with approximately 5.5 million UK businesses recorded as of January 2024.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Plus, nowadays there are many <strong>types of business finance<\/strong> and funding to consider<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. One of the most popular routes is business grants, and there are plenty of schemes out there to apply for. In this article, we\u2019ll give you an overview of grants that could work for your business and what you can do to get your hands on them.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"highlight-box\">\n<p> <span class=\"highlight-box-title\"> \ud83d\udca1Key takeaways <\/span> <\/p>\n<div class=\"highlight-box-content\">\n<p>You should take the time to <strong>fully research the grant that\u2019s the best fit for your business<\/strong>.<br \/>Ensure you have a<strong> detailed and up-to-date business plan <\/strong>ready for the application process.<br \/>You should also make sure you have your previous company accounts ready, and an <strong>outline of why your business qualifies for that specific grant<\/strong>.<br \/>In order to stand the best chance of winning the grant you should apply as soon as possible, as some <strong>operate on a first-come, first-served basis<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>What is a small business grant?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Small business grants are a sum of money given to entrepreneurs and business owners, either by the government or private organisations. Unlike a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">business loan<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, you won\u2019t have to pay interest, give away equity of your company, or even pay back the money at all. However, most business grants are still subject to tax.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">With this, you can invest in all the essentials you need for your business operations, including education, materials, employees, training or equipment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Types of business grants<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are several types of business grants available, including:<\/span><b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Direct grants:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> these provide the cash sum directly to the business, though it may have to be allocated to a specific project or initiative.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Resource and training grants: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">offers resources such as training and mentorship, to help support a business\u2019s growth and development.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Green grants: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a sum of money given to a business to support the implementation of environmentally friendly practices and reducing carbon footprint.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Soft loans: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">not technically a grant as it needs to be paid back, but are known to offer more generous repayment terms compared to traditional banks.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"highlight-box\">\n<p> <span class=\"highlight-box-title\"> Alternatives to business grants <\/span> <\/p>\n<div class=\"highlight-box-content\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Not sure whether a grant is the best option for you? Luckily, there are many other options you can explore to get funding for your business. Check out our article on <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">sources of business finance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for everything you need to know.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>Business grants for women<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For years, the gender funding gap has created barriers for women seeking to access finance for their business ventures. In 2024, it was reported that women-led companies received just 5.8% of all investments, while a significant proportion of investment went to male-founded companies, including <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">angel investors<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, private equity and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">venture capital<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In light of this disparity, several organisations have started offering grants, especially for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">female founders<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, to help them gain a leg up in the venture capital landscape. We\u2019ve highlighted four of them below.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Female Founders Fund<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Female Founders Fund is a seed-stage venture fund that invests exclusively in women founders and accepts applications all year round. To apply, simply fill out the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">application form <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">and submit your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">business pitch<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Astia<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Running for twenty-five years, Astia is a venture capital firm that invests in women-led businesses \u2013 accepting applications all year round for companies that operate in high-growth industries. You can easily apply for consideration through Astia\u2019s <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">online portal<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Innovate UK (Women TechEU Award)<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Innovate UK offers several funding opportunities through several different programmes. For women-led businesses in the tech industry, applications are now open for the Women TechEU Award, in which 160 winners will receive <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u20ac75,000 (around \u00a362,000), as well as a personalised development programme. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Applications are open<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> until March 17th, 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Anita Borg Institute<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While it isn\u2019t technically a grant organisation, the Anita Borg Institute celebrates female founders in the tech industry. There are three main programmes businesses can apply for \u2013 the Abie Awards, Pass It On Awards and PitcHER. Winners of these awards can win up to $50,000 (around \u00a340,000) in funding.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Applications for 2025 are yet to be announced, but you can find out more about the awards programmes <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">here<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Cartier Women\u2019s Initiative<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Cartier Women\u2019s Initiative supports female-founded organisations through several business grants. Its main award programmes include the Impact Awards, Regional Awards and the Science &amp; Technology Pioneer Award. Applications will be open from April 18 to June 24, but you can find out more about the awards <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">here<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>HATCH support programmes<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">HATCH<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> supports underrepresented entrepreneurs, including female founders, in developing the essential knowledge and skills needed to start a business. It offers three programmes \u2013 Launchpad, Incubator and Accelerator. Once you graduate from a Hatch programme, you may be entitled to apply for funding through its grant fund.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Business grants for young people<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The UK is home to some extraordinary young entrepreneurial talent, and their appetite for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">starting a business<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is catching. According to research by <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Enterprise Nation<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, 54% of young adults aged between 18 and 24 were considering becoming entrepreneurs in 2024, equalling two million individuals with similar ambitions. These are the top small business grants available for entrepreneurs aged 30 or under.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The King\u2019s Trust Enterprise Programme<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The King\u2019s Trust Enterprise Programme has helped over 91,000 young people to start their own businesses. Its programme includes one-to-one support, creating a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">business plan<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, interactive workshops and the opportunity to apply for a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Test My Business Idea grant<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of up to \u00a3500. From there, you can apply for additional funding of up to \u00a330,000 to cover startup costs. You can get started right away on <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The King\u2019s Trust website<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The YOUNG EDGE competition<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you\u2019re a young entrepreneur based in Scotland, the YOUNG EDGE competition may be worth looking out for. With a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mission<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to discover and fund new entrepreneurial talent, YOUNG EDGE offers aspiring entrepreneurs under 30 the chance to win an award of up to \u00a315,000. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Applications for Round 25<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> are now open until February 27th.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The SWEF Enterprise Fund<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In partnership with Community Foundation NI, The SWEF Enterprise Fund aims to support 500 young entrepreneurs a year in developing their businesses. The fund offers entrepreneurs aged 18-30 grants of up to \u00a32,000 to launch their business and also offers support and advice to build essential skills. You can apply for SWEF funding through its <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">online portal<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Neath Port Talbot Innov8 Programme<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For young entrepreneurs based in Port Talbot, Wales, the Innov8 Programme provides support in starting, developing or growing a business. As well as a grant of up to \u00a310,000 for costs like <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">marketing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and equipment, it also offers business planning, tailored support and ongoing mentorship for existing businesses. Find out how to apply <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">here<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Business grants for social entrepreneurs<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Grant programmes are often targeted towards socially impactful businesses that aim to tackle society\u2019s biggest challenges. Here are a few grants that are open to social impact startups:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Big Issue Invest Impact Loans<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The investment arm of The Big Issue offers soft loans between \u00a320,000 and \u00a3200,000 (or up to \u00a3400,000 in some cases) to help social enterprises and charities grow. To apply, simply <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">register your interest<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> online. From there, a member of Big Issue\u2019s investment team will contact you to determine your eligibility and provide you with an application form.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Invest Impact Fund<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Big Issue and UnLtd have teamed up to form the Invest Impact Fund, in which entrepreneurs can obtain soft loans up to \u00a31,500,000. It also offers businesses the choice between three funding types \u2013 equity, revenue share and patient debt. Funding from Invest Impact can be requested through its <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">online application form<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Big Issue Invest Social Impact Debt Fund IV<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Launched in September 2023, this fund is aimed at companies tackling the UK\u2019s housing and social care crisis. Eligible businesses can <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">apply online<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for loans worth between \u00a31 million and \u00a34 million.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>UnLtd Starting Up Award<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Supporting socially-conscious businesses, UnLtd\u2019s Starting Up Award offers up to \u00a38,000 for social enterprises that are in their early stages and haven\u2019t started trading yet. You can apply by <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">creating an UnLtd account<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and completing an application form from there.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>UnLtd Scaling Up Award<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">On the flip side, UnLtd\u2019s Scaling Up Award offers social ventures up to \u00a318,000 in funding if the business has been trading for over a year (selling goods and services). As with the Starting Up application process, you\u2019ll need to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">create an UnLtd account<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and complete an application form from there.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Pounds for Purpose<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pounds for Purpose is a social enterprise fund under the property management company Firstport. Designed for socially conscious young entrepreneurs, Pounds for Purpose offers up to \u00a3500 for Scottish-based individuals who are looking to explore a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">business idea<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to address social issues. You can apply for a grant through its <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">online portal<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Key Fund<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This social investment fund is designed to support social enterprises, charities and community businesses that aim to create a positive social impact. It provides investments between \u00a35,000 and \u00a330,000 and works to support organisations that may struggle to access traditional finance, particularly those working in disadvantaged communities. Entrepreneurs can <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">apply online<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> at any time of the year.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"highlight-box\">\n<p> <span class=\"highlight-box-title\"> Support for unemployed entrepreneurs <\/span> <\/p>\n<div class=\"highlight-box-content\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">With job losses and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">workplace redundancies<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> on the rise in 2025 \u2013 driven by economic pressures like increasing <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">National Insurance Contributions (NICs)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 many are turning to entrepreneurship as a way to regain financial stability. In fact, 24% of startups cite job loss as their primary motivator, according to the Startups 100 for 2025 survey.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Startups Loans UK<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> fund is a viable option for funding, offering low-interest loans up to \u00a325,000 with 12 months of free mentoring. Many local councils also provide startup grants to help kickstart your business. Depending on your area, local councils can offer a good amount of funding, as well as workshops, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">networking opportunities<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and advisory services to support new entrepreneurs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You can find a comprehensive list of grants available using the government\u2019s business <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">finance support finder tool<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>Business grants for people of colour<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the UK, only 0.24% of venture capital was allocated to non-white founders in the last decade. Despite the growing recognition of the need for diversity in business, many minority-led startups struggle to secure the investment needed to grow. Fortunately, there are grants and funding initiatives that have been established to support entrepreneurs of colour. Here are some key options available.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Black Seed Ventures<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">With a mission to address the funding gap for black founders in the UK, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Black Seed Ventures<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> offers <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">seed funding<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of up to \u00a3400,000 exclusively for black-owned businesses. As the winner of the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (DEI) Award<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Startups 100 for 2025 Index<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, Black Seed specialises in supporting early-stage Black entrepreneurs with the funding they need to launch their businesses. You can submit your pitch through the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Black Seed website<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The Black Artists Grant<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Funded by Creative Debuts, The Black Artists Grant (BAG) provides small, unrestricted awards of \u00a3500 per month to help Black artists with living expenses, art supplies, project development or anything else they need to sustain their creative practice. Entries are accepted throughout the year on its <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">online application form<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The Black Funding Network<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Black Funding Network (BFN) is an initiative dedicated to supporting Black-founded and Black-led non-profit organisations. Operating as a community of individuals and institutions, BFN organises live crowdfunding events throughout the year, where selected entrants present their projects to potential donors. You can submit your application through BFN\u2019s <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">online portal<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Business grants for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you\u2019re running a business in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you might want to narrow down your search to grants specifically for businesses in those countries. Below is a list of available grants in each nation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Scotland<b><\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Culture &amp; Business Fund Scotland: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">provides match funding to cultural projects. C&amp;BS is currently developing a new application system, but you can find out more about it <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">here<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Applications are open until March 31.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Regional Selective Assistance (RSA): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a discretionary grant aiming to encourage capital investment and job creation in Tier 2 and 3 areas. Businesses can enquire about applications <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">here<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>SMART: SCOTLAND: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a research and development (R&amp;D) fund specifically for innovative, high-risk startups. The maximum grant is \u00a3100,000. Businesses can enquire about applications <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">here<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Scottish EDGE: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a competition in which entrants can win up to \u00a3100,000 on a split grant\/loan basis. Round 25 of applications are open until February 27. You will need to create a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Scottish EDGE account<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> before you can apply.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Creative Scotland: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a national public body that supports and funds the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland, distributing funding from the Scottish government and the National Lottery. There are several <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">funding programmes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> available you can apply for.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Better Business Finance (BBF): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">helps businesses find suitable financing by offering guidance on loans, grants and alternative funding solutions. Businesses can also apply for business finance <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">here<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Also, depending on where you\u2019re based, you may be able to apply for grants offered by the Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and your local council. You can find business support on the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Scottish government website<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, or check out our list of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">business grants available in Scotland<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Wales<b><\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><b>ReAct+: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">offers up to \u00a34,000, paid out in quarterly instalments, to businesses that recruit a new employee who is disabled and has been made redundant in the last 6 months. You can submit an application form <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">here<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Special Regeneration Fund: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">businesses based in Bridgend can apply for grants that cover 40% of eligible capital project costs. Businesses can receive up to \u00a325,000, excluding <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">value-added tax (VAT)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Find out how to apply <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">here<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Blaenau Gwent \u2013 Kickstart Plus: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a joint initiative funded by UK Steel Enterprise and administered by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. The funds support businesses up to three years old and offer a maximum of \u00a32,500 in funding. You can register your interest <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">here<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Caerphilly Business Startup Grant: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a flexible grant scheme that supports residents of Caerphilly County Borough to start a business, but can\u2019t access other sources of funding. It provides up to 50% of eligible project costs to a maximum of \u00a3500. Find out how to apply <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">here<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Caerphilly Enterprise Fund: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">supports Caerphilly-based <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">sole traders<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, partnerships, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">limited companies<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, limited liability partnerships and community groups. Offers a maximum grant of \u00a32,000 at an intervention rate of 50%. Find out how to apply <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">here<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Newport Business Grants:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> offers grants of up to \u00a32,500 towards 50% of net costs for businesses outside the city centre Business Improvement District (BID) area and up to \u00a35,000 for those based in the city centre. Find out how to apply <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">here<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Welsh government offers a guide to financial aid and grants on its website, with Business Wales being the main support service for entrepreneurs looking to raise funding. You can use the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Business Wales finance locator<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to find grant options that are right for you or get an overview of the options available in our guide to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">business grants in Wales<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Northern Ireland<b><\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Whiterock Growth Finance Fund: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">fund management company Whiterock offers small businesses and SMEs commercial loans between \u00a3500,000 and \u00a32 million to fund growth. You can apply by contacting the company <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">here<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Skills Advancement Grant: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">small businesses that are customers of Invest NI can apply for a 50% discount on employee training costs up to \u00a315,000. The grant is available for 18 months only. You can apply by contacting NI Invest <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">here<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Investment Fund For Northern Ireland (IFNI): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">an investment fund that provides up to \u00a35 million in equity loans for early-stage and growth businesses. You can apply by contacting the IFNI <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">here<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>NI Small Business Loan Fund: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">offers up to \u00a3100,000 for existing businesses, and up to \u00a315,000 for startups. To apply, simply complete the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">online application form<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>From Student to First Sale (FS2FS): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">if you\u2019re a university graduate with a viable business idea, FS2FS offers a \u00a315,000 grant to help you set up for self-employment. Only available to individuals who have graduated in the last six months and are working with the students\u2019 union enterprise support service. You can apply by contacting NI Invest <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">here.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Business Innovation Grant (BIG): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">offers financial support up to \u00a320,000, with the aim to help small businesses and SMEs develop and launch new products, services or processes to the market. You can apply by contacting NI Invest <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">here<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Enterprise Ireland<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is the government agency responsible for supporting Irish businesses including Northern Ireland. A range of grant support can be found here, where you can search for grants by your stage of business development. You can also visit <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">NI Direct\u2019s<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> business support page for further business assistance services.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What do you need to get a business grant?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Each grant will have a different application process, with different entry criteria and requirements to fulfil. But, as with most potential business opportunities, the reward is worth the effort.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It\u2019s important that you take the time to research to find the grant that best suits your business. You don\u2019t want to apply for a scheme you\u2019re simply not suited to or eligible for, as it\u2019ll only waste the time you need to find the right one.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">But once you\u2019ve found a suitable grant, you can start the process of trying to obtain it. For your best shot during the application process, you should have:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A detailed and up-to-date business plan<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A clear spending plan<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Previous company accounts, which you can download from your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">accounting software<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">An outline of why your business qualifies for the grant<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Tips for applying for a business grant<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To maximise your chances of securing a grant and beating the competition, you\u2019ll need to be prepared, stay organised and keep on top of deadlines. Here are some top tips to help you nail your application:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Apply ASAP: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">make sure you\u2019re continually keeping an eye on deadlines and application windows, as many grants operate on a first-come, first-served basis.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Stay organised with project management tools: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">applying for grants involves juggling deadlines, documents and stakeholder communications. That\u2019s why using good <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">project management software<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> can help you track key dates, set reminders and ensure you don\u2019t miss any critical steps.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Contact someone from the awarding body: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">this way, you can get personalised advice in case anything goes wrong with your application.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Consider hiring a grant consultant: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">this is someone who can help you find the grants best suited for you. However, some bodies won\u2019t let a third party apply for you, so make sure to check the grant\u2019s rules before looking for external help.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Pay attention to the grant\u2019s objectives: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">this will help you be clear on how you will use the money to fulfil these specific objectives.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Be honest: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">if you need to bend the facts about your business to fit with the grant\u2019s criteria, it\u2019s not the right grant for you.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The information in this article is correct as of February 2025.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Read the full article <a href=\"https:\/\/startups.co.uk\/funding\/grants\/grants-for-small-businesses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">here<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you\u2019re a small business owner or an aspiring entrepreneur, a cash injection is never a bad thing. Raising finance is a crucial stage in starting a business, so a grant could be the very thing that kickstarts or revives your venture \u2013 helping you purchase the tools, equipment or services you need for operations, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22502,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[68],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-22501","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-funding"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Grants for small businesses \u2013 and how to apply | Brandiary<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Whether you\u2019re a small business owner or an aspiring entrepreneur, a cash injection is never a bad thing.Raising finance is a crucial stage in 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