While there are hundreds of small business funding programmes offered by the various UK government agencies, today’s focus for 2021 is small business grants in the UK!

There are numerous funding options that can help a small business owner in the UK obtain funds to startup or expand a business, but the focus will be strictly on available grants in this article.

Small business grants are programmes that are offered from the UK government or the European union in order to help small business owners fund various needs from hiring and training staff, conducting research and development and others to revitalize the targeted areas where the funds come from and in order to create jobs, eventually building a stronger economy for years to come.

While there are many small business grants in the UK, there are numerous requirements and eligibility criteria one must meet in order to be eligible for the funds.

The process of applying for these small business grants in the UK is definitely not an easy one, if you’re doing it on your own.

UKStartups.org helps with the funding search, guidance through the application process and of course, the business plan – which is a must!

If you need help finding these Small Business Grants in the UK – UKStartup’s Funding Database has them!

Top Small Business Grants in The UK for 2021

When searching for the top small business grants in the UK, you have to consider the 3 main search factors:

1. The industry you are in
2. Your location
3. Funding needs

Based on these primary factors, your search will narrow down from hundreds of programmes available to the programmes which your small business may be eligible for.

The industries which are to be considered when applying for any small business grants in the UK would include:

• Agriculture and Fishing
• Recreation/Culture and Tourism
• Professional and Other Business Services
• Creative Services and Media
• Energy and Water
• Manufacturing and Engineering
• Transport/Warehousing and Distribution
• Construction and Property Services
• Biotechnology/Medial and Chemical
• Consumer Products/Personal Services, Retail and Wholesale
• Hotels and Restaurants
• Information Technology and Telecom

While this is not an all inclusive list, determining where your business fit’s and which small business grants in the UK your business may be eligible for may be a tough task to accomplish on your won.

Get help from experts now.

The next factor, other than the industry your small business fit’s into, is the location of the business.

Depending on the small business grant programme you apply to, these may be broken down to the local level, regional or national.

Small business grants in (your location)

Location plays a major role for a small business owner when they are searching for the available small business grants. In addition to the industry, location is one of the critical factors.

The location can be based on a local level, regional or national, but as a small business owner it is best to keep your eyes wide open to ensure you don’t miss any of the funding opportunities that may be awaiting.

Funds available in the UK are disbursed across these locations to service it’s targeted customer base:

North of England

• Yorkshire
• North West
• North East

East of England and East Midlands

• Lincolnshire
• Nottinghamshire
• Derbyshire
• East Anglia
• Leicestershire

South of England

• SouthWest
• South East

West of England

• Worcestershire
• Staffordshire
• Warwickshire

Scotland

• Eastern Scotland
• Western Scotland

Wales

• North Wales
• South Wales

Norther Ireland

While you may not realize, the funds available in various regions can often be used in “other regions”, so it’s best to consider all options.

Consider using experts to help you in your funding search.

Your Funding Needs

The funding needs which your business has must be clearly explained in your business plan (also a must) when applying to any small business grant programmes in the UK.

While this isn’t a difficult process, it is often one that is missed out on, or incorrectly summarized – causing many of the businesses to get denied funding.

Consider using help from the experts at UKStartups.org to get this critical piece of information sorted out so you can focus on the Funding!

2021 Small Business Grants in UK

To give you a head start with your small business grants search for 2020, here is a list of programmes that you may take advantage of:

Skills Advancement Grant
Lichfield District Small Business Grant Scheme
ISO Grant Scheme
South-East Midlands Start-up Programme
Greater Manchester #SEEDIFFERENT SME Apprenticeship Support Grants
Rural Enterprises Fund
Scarborough Business Development Grant Scheme
Business Compass Leadership and Management Programme
Business West High Impact Scale-Up Coaching Grants and Non-Executive Directors Grant
Invest to Grow
Elmbridge Business Grant Schemes
Research and Development (R&D) Grant
South Wigston Shop Improvement Grant
Agri-tech Innovation Grants
Brexit Preparation Grant
Energy for Business
PAPI (Product and Process Innovation)
Big House CDI Grant
Community Toilet Grant Scheme
Chamber Low Carbon Grant
Start-up and Business Growth grants
Bridgend Kick Start Grant and Special Regeneration Fund
Unltd Social Enterprise Funding
Conwy Business Support Grant
Publications Grant Scheme
East Sussex Invest 6 (ESI6)
Low Carbon Workspaces
Business Incentive Grant
Property Enhancement Development Scheme
Access to Work
Growth Deal Funding
Stockton Business Grants
Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Grants
Business Compass Start-Up Programme
Lincolnshire Grants4Growth
Coalville Frontage Improvement Scheme
LEADER Programme
SSI Fund
Business Premises Grant Scheme
Buckinghamshire Growth Grants
Business Growth Grant
Chorley Business Grants
County Durham Growth Fund
Broadland Start-up and Enterprise Grants
ReAct for Businesses
Bangor City Centre Property Renovation and Investment Scheme
European Cooperation in the Field of Scientific and Technical Research (COST)
Greater Lincolnshire Growth Fund
Green Port Hull
Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme
Growing the Humber
Brexit: Planning and Implementation Voucher
Business Recovery Grant
Shop Front Improvement Grants
Creative Europe
CRACK IT Challenges
Business Growth and Digital Growth Grants (GLLEP)
Independent Retailer Grant
Cheshire and Warrington Growth and Grant Programme
SME Energy Improvement Grant
LCR Future Energy
RDPE Growth Programme
Conservation Grant Scheme
Active Inclusion Fund
SMART: Scotland Grant
Arts Council England Funding
Orkney Business Grants
Chichester District Council Grant Programme
Broadband Voucher Scheme
EIRA Grants (Enabling Innovation: Research to Application)
Workplace Innovation Fund
Internship Funding
Caerphilly Enterprise Fund
Trusthouse Charitable Foundation
LoCASE (Low Carbon Across South East)
Innovation Programme
Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Grants for Growth
BG Effect Business Fund
Fife Trade Development Fund
Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund
Cumbria Business Start-Up Support and Growth Programme
Derbyshire Grants Scheme
Malvern Hills Apprenticeship and Graduate Grant Scheme
Oxfordshire eScalate Grant
Acumen Funding
DE-Carbonise
Innovation Programme
NBV Grants for New Business and Enterprise
Energy Efficiency Grant
AD:VENTURE
Bolsover Business Growth and Start-up Grants
Northern Impact Fund
Wales Tourism Investment Fund
Tradeshow Access Programme
Make it to Market Grant
New Anglia Small Grants and Growing Business Fund Scheme
The National Lottery Community Fund
Innovation Competitions
Hartlepool Business Grants
Fit 4 Nuclear
Enterprise Investment Fund
Redcar & Cleveland Business Grants
North-East Business Support Fund
Growing Graduate Enterprise
OpenDataNI Innovation and Outreach Fund
CIAG (Creative Innovation and Growth) Grants Fund
Scottish EDGE Competitions
Eden Tourism Grant
Techstart Proof of Concept Grant Fund
Medilink SoLSTICE
Get into R&D
Vacant Commercial Floor Space Grant
Micro Small Business Fund
Business Energy Efficiency Programme (BEEP)
Industrial Partnership Awards
Low Carbon Business Evolution Programme (LCBEP)
Start-up Business Grant
AUB Access & Innovation Vouchers
Pendle Business Grants
Power to Change Programmes
Job Introduction Scheme
Derby Enterprise Growth Fund
Adur and Worthing Small Business Growth Grant
South East Creative, Cultural and Digital Support (SECCADS)
Low Carbon Innovation Grant and Revenue Grant
Blaenau Gwent Kick Start Plus
Coast to Capital Growth Grant Programme
Plug-in Car and Van Grants
Business Events Growth Programme
Innovate your Business
Boost4Health
West Lindsey Feasibility Fund
Support for Aberdeenshire Business Scheme
EventScotland Funding
Malvern Hills Business Start-up Grant
Greater Manchester Energy Efficiency Grant
West Dunbartonshire Business Grants
Small Business Grant Scheme
Nestrans Sustainable Travel Grant Scheme
Leeds Business Growth Programme
Customs Grant Scheme
Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) Grant
Architectural Heritage Fund
Culture and Business Fund
Inverclyde Business Grants
Business Energy Efficiency Grant (BEE Anglia)
Business Start-up Grant
Prince’s Countryside Fund
Low Carbon Opportunities Programme
Harborough Business Grant for Apprenticeships
New Product Development Grant
Low Carbon Dorset Grant
Big House Elevator Grant
Rural Shop Support Scheme
Manufacturing Growth Fund
Arun Valley Business Grants
Manufacturing Growth Programme
By Design Grant
Reigate and Banstead Business Support Grant
Investment Fund
Partners for Growth Start-up Grant
Proof of Concept Funding
Leicester Jobs Fund Employer Grants
VisitScotland Growth Fund
Ashfield and Mansfield Business Grants
Exporting for Growth
Brexit Resilience Fund
Isle of Wight Rural Fund
Caerphilly Commercial Improvement Grants
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
Healthcare and Medical Technology Business Support

Be sure to contact UKStartups.org and our experts to get more information on the programmes and to get step by step guidance though the application, business planning and getting the funds!