Business Development

The fourth application window for the Welsh Government’s Farm Business Grant (FBG), designed to improve the economic and environmental performance of agricultural holdings, is due to re-open for applications from the 6th August to the 5th October 2018. FBG funding aims to help farmers make their businesses more efficient, resilient and environmentally friendly by providing a contribution towards capital investments in items of equipment and...

The Scottish Funding Council has announced that the next deadline for applications under its Follow on Innovation Voucher Scheme is the 17th August 2018. The awards are specifically intended to encourage existing partnerships that have previously collaborated and jointly received funding. This can include the Scottish Funding Council Innovation Voucher awards scheme or any other funded activity. Businesses in partnership with Higher Education...

Businesses across the UK are being invited to collaborate with an academic or research organisation and a graduate on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), a scheme that helps businesses to innovate and grow. Up to £40 million in total is available for part funding of KTPs that will offer business the opportunity to access new skills and the latest academic thinking to help them deliver a specific, strategic innovation project. KTPs can las...

The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation is giving disabled entrepreneurs in the UK the chance to win a share of £70,000 to fund the further growth of their business, and become Stelios Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2018. This year the award is open to all forms of entrepreneurship (including pre-revenue start-ups). Applicants can be businesses operated by and/or for the benefit of disabled people; or employers whose workforce is made up of s...

UnLtd, the charity for Social Entrepreneurs is seeking applications to its Impact Fund. The fund aims to address one the key challenges for early stage social ventures: getting to access to capital. The Impact Fund will invest in around 35 social ventures over the next three-years. Initially, the UnLtd Impact Fund is looking to support social ventures tackling challenges related to training and employment - including school leavers and apprent...

Aspiring community groups have the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to £15,000 to help them to set up their own community business. The programme supports new community business ideas through the start-up and planning stages with tailored business support, to the implementation stage. To be eligible to apply, businesses must be locally rooted; accountable to the local community; trading for the benefit of the local community; and delive...

The government has launched a new £2 million fund for proof of concept projects aimed at encouraging SMEs to adopt productivity-boosting technology or business practices. The programme will test innovative ways of encouraging micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt existing technologies and business practices that can boost their productivity. In doing so the programme aims to add to the evidence base of what works in drivi...

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government has launched the 2018 Great British High Street Awards. The Awards recognise and celebrate local achievements on Britain’s high streets and support the communities in which they live and work. High streets are eligible to win up to £10,000 for their local community, plus the opportunity for their local businesses and consumers to participate in a Visa GBHS Spend & Win Competition, wh...

The Royal Academy of Engineering has announced that the Enterprise Hub Launch Pad competition is open for applications. The Enterprise Hub Launchpad Competition will award entrepreneurs in the UK aged 16-25 with a cash prize and bespoke support to start a business based on an innovative idea. The winner will receive funding of £15,000 to set up the business and the JC Gammon Award. The winner will also be invited to join the Academy's Enterp...

Small and medium size businesses in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland interested in investing in Gigabit connectivity are being encouraged to take advantage of a UK wide voucher programme. Offered by the UK Government, individual business can claim up to £3,000 towards the cost of full fibre connection or join together with nearby businesses to make a group application with each member able to claim a £500 voucher. The scheme is open unt...

A combination of business support as well as potential access to finance are available to social enterprises that improve access to employment for those excluded from the labour market. Designed to give social enterprises the chance to grow their business and deliver greater social impact, up to 20 ventures will be supported in 2018. The support is being made available through Unltd’s new social accelerator programme, Thrive. . Eligible a...

Key Fund, an investor in community and social enterprises, plans to invest £1m every month for the next five months through a combined loan and grant package to help finance new business ideas or existing business growth for the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. Grants will be at the discretion of the Key Fund, but typically make up 10 percent of the loan taken. Applicants don't need assets or even necessarily experience, the...

Small and medium business within selected areas of the UK are able to get a grant of up to £3,000 to upgrade their business broadband to a Gigabit capable connection. The UK Government is testing a new Gigabit Voucher Scheme which will provide vouchers worth up to £3,000 to support the capital costs of getting new gigabit capable connections for businesses. In the Bristol and Bath & North East Somerset area, the Government are also making v...