Here’s a round up of business grants that have come through my inbox this month, it’s fast moving so check back here every month for updates on what programmes have been released. 

As we reach the end of the year, grants and competitions are gearing up for 2026 so look through to the end to make sure you’ve checked all opportunities.

Good Luck and let me know how you get on!

Renée

Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge

Hello Tomorrow aims to empower deeptech start-up entrepreneurs from around the world. The project must be in its early stages of development or about to be spun-out from academic labs as long as there is strong proof-of-concept.

It should be based on a new technology, scientific discovery or a complex engineering process. The project may solve an industrial, societal or environmental unmet need or create a new market. There should be a team of at least two people working on the project.

The programme will provide a platform for research and projects, providing equity-free prize money as well as other funding opportunities, global visibility and connections with key players in the deeptech innovation network and other fellow entrepreneurs.

Applicants should be able to fit in at least one of the following ten Global Challenge tracks:

• Aerospace
• Advanced Computing & Cyber Security
• Automotive, Maritime, Rail Transportation and Operations
• Climate Teach and Environmental Protection
• Digital Health & Medical Devices
• Energy
• Food & Agriculture
• Industrial AI and Robotics
• Industrial Biotech and New Materials
• Medical Biotech and Pharmaceuticals
• Resource Efficiency and Circular Systems
• Semiconductors and Advanced Electronics
• Sustainable Construction & Infrastructure
• AI Horizons
• Emerging Pioneers

Closing date: 30 November 2025
Apply here: Hello Tomorrow Challenge

The Pitch

Powered by SeedLegals, the UK and Ireland’s largest pitching competition is back and bigger than ever, taking place in Dublin, Glasgow, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham and London.

There is a grand prize of £25k for the winner and 2 weeks of exclusive mentoring for all 60 finalists to get pitch-ready before the events.

Closing date: 1 December 2025
Apply here: Enter The Pitch 2026

Paul Hamlyn Foundation – Ideas and Pioneers Fund

The Ideas and Pioneers Fund provides grants to individuals, groups and small organisations who are focused on exploring an innovative new idea or approach for change. Their ideas should be ‘bold and brave,’ have a charitable purpose and be:

• Challenging injustice – Ideas should show a clear vision to help build a better society and contribute to shifting power and challenging and transforming the root causes of systemic oppression. There is interest in ideas working at a local level as those working at a national level.
• Emerging – The funding is for ideas that are still forming. Applicants need to have a clear sense of the learning and experimenting they need to do to progress their idea.
• Long-term potential – ideas with a long-term impact

The funding can support a number of things, including but not limited to research to develop the idea, gathering evidence for a campaign, bringing people or communities together to build power, and paying the applicant or others to deliver these activities.

Closing date: 2 December 2025 (13:00)
Apply here: Ideas and Pioneers Fund | Paul Hamlyn Foundation

2026 Ashden Awards

The initiative recognises work that reduces emissions and delivers environmental, social and economic benefits by organisations delivering practical responses to climate and energy challenges. The awards aim to highlight approaches that strengthen resilience, support inclusive growth and reduce pollution, while encouraging policy and investment support for renewable energy.

Awards will focus on projects improving access to clean energy or protecting and restoring nature. Examples of eligible activities include local renewable energy systems, forest conservation models and clean cooking solutions. Winners will receive:

• Up to £40,000 in grant funding
• Tailored communications and organisational support
• Global media exposure and storytelling support
• Connections to funders, investors, and policymakers.
• The opportunity to participate in Ashden’s wider programmes and alumni network

Closing date: 8 December 2025 (23:59)
Apply here: https://ashden.org/awards/

Made Smarter Innovation: SME resource and energy efficiency – feasibility studies

The aim of this competition is to explore new industrial digital technologies for manufacturers. These IDTs will improve the sustainability, resilience and productivity of micro, small or medium-sized enterprise manufacturers by improving energy or resource efficiency.

Projects must focus on the innovation of digital solutions relating to one or more energy or resource efficiencies, and must be affordable, easy to use and scalable across SMEs.
This competition is split into two strands: one focused on Feasibility Studies and one focused on Industrial Research projects.

This competition is jointly operated by Innovate UK (IUK) and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).

Closing date: 10 December 2025 (11:00)
Apply here: Competition overview – MSI: SME resource and energy efficiency – feasibility studies – Innovation Funding Service

Biomedical Catalyst 2025: Industry-led R&D Projects Competitions

Innovate UK is providing funding through the Biomedical Catalyst programme to support industry led research and development projects addressing health and healthcare challenges. The competition is aimed at micro, small and medium-sized enterprises developing innovative solutions that improve patient outcomes or transform healthcare delivery.

Projects may focus on areas such as disease prevention, early diagnosis, tailored treatments, healthcare transformation, digital health technologies and consumer focused self-care. Eligible sectors include advanced therapies, biosciences, preclinical tools, therapeutics, diagnostics, medical technologies, precision medicine, digital health and healthy ageing, among others.

Applicants must demonstrate commercial and technical feasibility, with proposals showing how the project will enhance the competitiveness and productivity of at least one UK SME partner. The competition has two strands:

• Biomedical Catalyst 2025: Industry led R&D small projects – up to £500,000 grant funding
• Biomedical Catalyst 2025: Industry led R&D large projects – over £500,000 grant funding.

Closing Date: 10 December 2025 (11:00)
Apply here: Competition overview – Biomedical Catalyst 2025: Industry led R&D small projects – Innovation Funding Service

National Materials Innovation Programme: Feasibility Studies Competition

This competition is operated by Innovate UK (IUK) and supports projects that accelerate the translation of advanced materials innovations into industrial adoption. Projects must align with one of six high growth themes identified in the National Materials Innovation Strategy, or with the strategic opportunity theme of metamaterials and metasurfaces.

Eligible focus areas include net zero energy solutions, future healthcare, structural innovations, advanced surface technologies and materials durability, next generation electronics, telecommunications and sensors, and consumer products, packaging and specialist polymers. Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed work will enable faster progression of materials innovation toward industrial application.

The competition will fund feasibility projects with a total budget of up to £2 million. Eligible projects can request grant funding between £50,000 and £100,000.

Closing date: 17 December 2025 (11:00)
Apply here: Competition overview – National Materials Innovation Programme: Feasibility Studies – Innovation Funding Service

World of Opportunity – SME Exporter Grants Programme

Heathrow is calling for SMEs in every corner of the UK to come forward and share their exporting ambitions. The UK’s hub airport is relaunching its World of Opportunity Programme, which helps UK exporters to sell their goods and services around the world, for 2025-2026.

The Programme is designed to support the UK’s SMEs in boosting their export potential, with previous grants being used for trade missions, research, and training to further exporting ambitions. This programme will provide £2,000 grants to 12 SME businesses across the UK, with one grant awarded to a business from each region and nation.

Closing Date: 31 December
Apply here: World of opportunity | Heathrow

UNltd – Awards for Social Entrepreneurs

The funding is intended to support social entrepreneurs by helping them nurture their social ventures and grow their impact.

The following levels of funding are available:

• Starting Up – funding of up to £8,000
• Scaling Up – funding of up to £18,000 for a social enterprise that has been operating for between one to four years.

In addition to funding, award recipients will be assigned to one of UnLtd’s dedicated programmes to provide support aligned with the needs of their social venture for up to one year.

Closing date: 31 December
Apply here: Awards | UnLtd

Enterprise Nation’s Finance Beyond Borders

Finance Beyond Borders is a free learning programme offering funding and business support to small businesses engaged in, or planning, international trade.

The initiative provides practical guidance and tools to help businesses simplify cross-border payments, manage multi-currency accounts, and strengthen their financial operations. The programme aims to help founders understand how to expand internationally while managing costs, streamline financial management, and make informed decisions.

Through the programme, two grants of £1,000 each are available, alongside a mentoring session and live, interactive webinars. In addition, participants can benefit from an exclusive offer from Airwallex, a financial platform designed to support cross-border transactions, multi-currency management and cost efficiency.

Closing date: 31 December 2025 (16:59)
Apply here: Airwallex Finance Beyond Borders | Scale your business stronger

TechX Clean Energy Accelerator

TechX Clean Energy Accelerator is provided by the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC). The funding is intended to help innovative clean energy start-ups develop their technologies and grow their business.

Applications will be accepted from companies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) three to six, specialising in the following focus areas:

• CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage)
• Renewables and grid
• Hydrogen and alternative fuels
• Industrial decarbonisation.

Applicants must be developing a novel clean energy technology which is fully owned by the start-up. Up to £50,000 in grant funding is available for selected start-ups.

Closing date: 5 January 2025 (23:59)
Apply here: TechX Clean Energy Accelerator

Green Growth Awards

Small Business Britain, in partnership with BT, is proud to launch the Green Growth Awards. This is a celebration of 100 inspiring UK small businesses that are successfully using sustainability to drive business growth.

From cutting waste and saving energy, to rethinking supply chains and attracting new customers, these businesses are showing that sustainability isn’t just good for the planet, it’s good for business too!

Successful businesses will be invited to an awards event in March 2026, hosted by BT. At the event two standout firms will each receive a Green Growth Award. This is a £5,000 grant to help them scale their sustainability goals.

Closing date: 9 January 2026
Apply here: Small Business Britain | Green Growth Awards

Business Boost Grants – Elmbridge

The business boost grants can help your business with:

• Grant support up to £2,000 to help businesses improve their shop fronts or signage
• Grant support up to £2,000 to help bring a shop that has been empty for at least 3 months back into commercial use
• up to £1,000 to help town or village wide projects to drive new footfall, investment, street-scene improvements or sustainability.

All applications need at least 50% match funding and 2 quotes for each element.
Town and village centre independents can also apply for support to help sell online with the digital high street boost and small and medium sized business can get help to invest in energy efficiency projects with the green business boost.

Closing date: Applications can be made at any time.
Apply here: Support for businesses | Elmbridge Borough Council

Business Support Grants – Reigate & Banstead

Business Support Grants of up to £1,000 for residents and businesses with fewer than 5 employees based in Reigate and Banstead.

Grants can be used to help fund things like marketing, new equipment or training. Please note the grant is NOT available for the development of prototypes or for IT equipment such as laptops, unless you are a brand new start up and do not possess any IT hardware.

Closing date: applications can be made at any time.
Apply here: Business Support Grants | Business Support Grants | Reigate and Banstead

Greener Homes Alliance Development Loans 

Homes England and Octopus Real Estate have launched the second phase of the Greener Homes Alliance. The scheme provides discounted development finance to small and medium-sized (SME) housebuilders. The initiative supports the construction of energy-efficient homes across England. 

A total of £150 million is available.  Loans range from £2 million to £20 million. Interest rate reductions of up to 2% are available for developers who meet environmental and social criteria.  Eligible applicants include SME housebuilders and developers operating in England. 

Closing date: Applications can be made at any time 

Apply here: Greener Homes Alliance | Octopus Capital 

Co-operative Enterprise Loans 

Co-operative and Community Finance offers loans of between £10,000 and £85,000 for new or existing co-operatives across the UK. Loans are to assist with the expansion, setup, or development of a co-operative enterprise.   

Loans will only be made to economically viable enterprises that are democratically owned and controlled organisations registered in the UK.  

Closing date: Applications can be made at any time 

Apply here: Co-op Loan Fund – Unique lending: to co-ops, from co-ops 

Surrey Hills Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) Grants 

The FiPL programme provides grants to farmers and land managers in the Surrey Hills for one-off projects to make improvements to the natural environment, climate change mitigation, cultural heritage and public access on their land.   

Closing date: March 2026 

Apply here: Surrey Hills Farming in Protected Landscapes FiPL 

The Workplace Charging Scheme 

The Workplace Charging Scheme provides support for organisations towards the cost of installing up to 40 electric vehicle chargepoint sockets at their sites. 

The scheme covers up to 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV chargepoints (including VAT). This is capped at a maximum of: 

• £350 per socket 
• 40 sockets across all sites per applicant. For example, if you install at 40 sites, you will have 1 socket per site 

All chargepoints must be installed by an OZEV authorised installer. 

Closing Date: 31^st March 2026 

Apply here: Before you start – 

The Life Sciences Transformational R&D Investment Fund Pilot

The Life Sciences Transformational R&D Investment Fund Pilot is a £50 million capital grant programme supporting large-scale research and development projects within the UK life sciences sector. The fund aims to strengthen health resilience, drive innovation and deliver economic benefits through significant investments in research capacity, facilities and technologies.

Projects should demonstrate how they will enhance the UK’s ability to respond to health emergencies and long-term healthcare challenges, for example by expanding or creating R&D capacity, improving manufacturing processes, accelerating clinical research or deploying new technologies.

Closing date: 31 March 2028 (23:59)

Apply here: Life Sciences Transformational R&D Investment Fund Pilot – GOV.UK

Further business support in Surrey

If you can’t see something in this month’s roundup that suits your business’s specific needs, check out our Support Directory, or contact our team of experts via our Business Support Form.

Sign up to our newsletter for regular updates on funding, business news, events and support for all Surrey businesses.

Here’s a round up of grants that have come through my inbox this month, it’s fast moving so check back here every month for updates on what programmes have been released. 

We’re delighted to release details of those that were successful in Round 1 of the Surrey Economic Growth Fund and am pleased to include details of Round 2 which focuses on Business Growth Grants.  Deadline is 16 November.

Good Luck and let me know how you get on!

Renée

Realise the Remarkable

Enterprise Nation and VistaPrint are teaming up once again to champion the UK’s small business community. This year, six inspiring independent retail businesses will each receive a £5,000 grant, plus expert design support and marketing tools to help them grow with confidence.

Whether you’re expanding, innovating or simply preparing for the future, this is your chance to take the next bold step.

Closing date: 30 October 2025, 11.59

Apply here: Realising the Remarkable | Win a grant for your high-street business | Enterprise Nation

Global Start Up Energy Transition Award 

The Start Up Energy Transition Award is an international competition for start-ups and young companies worldwide that are working on ideas affecting global energy transition and climate change.   

There are five categories of the award, all with the aim of clean energy promotion. The categories are: 

• Clean Energy and Storage 
• Mobility and Transportation 
• Industry 
• Buildings and Construction 
• Quality Energy Access and SDG-7 

The winner of each category will receive a prize of up to €10,000  There is also a €5,000 prize for non-winning SGD-7 Finalists. 

Closing date: 31 October  

Apply here: Start Up Energy Transition Award – All Years Recaps 

Farming Innovation Programme: Small R&D Partnership Projects 

This funding is part of Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme which is delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, investing up to £7.8 million in innovation projects. 

The aim of this competition is to: 

• Develop solutions with the potential to improve overall productivity, sustainability, resilience and move existing agricultural sectors to net zero 
• Ensure solutions have positive outputs for farmers, growers or foresters in commercially relevant situations 
• Develop new agricultural solutions by collaboration through engagement with end users and the UK research community in the innovation process 
• Accelerate adoption by ensuring knowledge exchange with the wider sector and other stakeholders 

Your proposal must be able to demonstrate how the project will benefit farmers, growers or foresters in England.  Your project’s total eligible costs must be between £1 million and £3 million. 

Closing date: 5 November at 11am 

Apply here: Your application – UKRI

Future Leaders Fellowships 

Future Leaders Fellowship (FLF) support talented people in universities, businesses, and other research and innovation environments.  

They also allow universities, research institutes, independent research organisations and businesses to develop their most talented early career researchers and innovators or to attract new people to their organisations. 

The aim of this competition is to: 

• Support ambitious research and innovation to tackle difficult and novel challenges. 
• Support excellence in innovation, across interdisciplinary boundaries and sectors. 
• Develop, retain, and attract the next wave of research and innovation leaders. 

Working with a host organisation a Future Leaders Fellow will receive at least four years of funding to pursue an ambitious programme of innovation.  

Closing date: 5 November at 11am. 

More information can be accessed at the IUK website. 

Global Aurora Tech Award to Support Women Entrepreneurs in IT 

Applications are open for the 2025 Aurora Tech Award, which provides financial prizes to women-led startups in the information technology sector. The award aims to recognise and support women entrepreneurs by offering cash prizes to help advance their businesses. 

Three prizes are available in this round. The first prize is $50,000, the second is $20,000 and the third is $15,000. 

The award is open to startups founded or co-founded and led by a woman from any country.  The funding can be used to support business development and growth activities, enabling recipients to progress their product or service in the market. The scheme is open to companies working in any area of information technology. 

Closing date: 12 November

Apply here: Aurora Tech Award — A worldwide prize for women founders of IT and Tech startups 

Active Travel Grant Scheme

Boost productivity, cut congestion, and relieve workplace parking pressure by applying for a Smarter Travel to Work grant from Active Surrey.  The grant scheme supports employers fulfil their travel plans and enable more staff to travel to work actively, on foot, by bicycle, and on public transport.

Maybe you want to improve pedestrian access within your site, organise events to raise awareness of public transport options or improve cycling facilities?

If you are keen to help your staff travel to work more healthily, actively and sustainably, the Smarter Travel to Work grant scheme offers grants of up to £5,000.

Active Surrey’s Smarter Travel to Work toolkits support employers to create high-quality travel plans in clearly explained steps with templates and tools to help. To be eligible for a grant, you must have used the toolkit to develop a workplace travel plan or have followed a similar process. 

Closing Date: 14 November

Apply here: Active Travel Grant Scheme

Surrey Economic Growth Fund – Business Growth Grant Round 2

Grants to support growth and job creation in local businesses, including new equipment, product development and training.

Open to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Surrey.

Match-funding of between £10,000 and £50,000, covering 50% of project costs.

Closing date: 16 November

Apply here: Economic Growth Fund – Business Surrey

Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge

Hello Tomorrow aims to empower deeptech start-up entrepreneurs from around the world. The project must be in its early stages of development or about to be spun-out from academic labs as long as they have a strong proof-of-concept.

The project should be based on a new technology, scientific discovery or a complex engineering process. The project may solve an industrial, societal or environmental unmet need or create a new market. Teams of at least two working should be working on the project.

The programme will provide a platform for research and projects, providing equity-free prize money as well as other funding opportunities, global visibility and connections with key players in the deeptech innovation network and other fellow entrepreneurs.

Applicants should be able to fit in at least one of the following ten Global Challenge tracks:

• Aerospace
• Advanced Computing & Cyber Security
• Automotive, Maritime, Rail Transportation and Operations
• Climate Teach and Environmental Protection
• Digital Health & Medical Devices
• Energy
• Food & Agriculture
• Industrial AI and Robotics
• Industrial Biotech and New Materials
• Medical Biotech and Pharmaceuticals
• Resource Efficiency and Circular Systems
• Semiconductors and Advanced Electronics
• Sustainable Construction & Infrastructure
• AI Horizons
• Emerging Pioneers

Closing date: 30 November 2025
Apply here: Hello Tomorrow Challenge

World of Opportunity – SME Exporter Grants Programme

Heathrow is calling for SMEs in every corner of the UK to come forward and share their exporting ambitions. The UK’s hub airport is relaunching its World of Opportunity Programme, which helps UK exporters to sell their goods and services around the world, for 2025-2026.

The Programme is designed to support the UK’s SMEs in boosting their export potential, with previous grants being used for trade missions, research, and training to further exporting ambitions. This programme will provide £2,000 grants to 12 SME businesses across the UK, with one grant awarded to a business from each region and nation.

Closing Date: 31 December
Apply here: World of opportunity | Heathrow

UNltd – Awards for Social Entrepreneurs

The funding is intended to support social entrepreneurs by helping them nurture their social ventures and grow their impact.

The following levels of funding are available:

• Starting Up – funding of up to £8,000
• Scaling Up – funding of up to £18,000 for a social enterprise that has been operating for between one and four years.

Together with funding, award recipients will be assigned to one of UnLtd’s dedicated programmes to provide support aligned with the needs of their social venture for up to one year.

Closing date: 31 December
Apply here: Awards | UnLtd

RTO Catapult Grant Scheme – Innovate UK 

Launched in April this is an easy to access, easy to administer grant from Innovate UK for £15,000.  Apply quickly as the pot ran out by September last year when launched at a similar time.  Could be used for product testing, development work or if you need technical expertise to facilitate feasibility. 

Closing date: when the fund has all been allocated 

Apply here: Exploit innovation – Innovate UK Business Growth

The UK Games Fund Content Fund 

The fund offers financial support to UK-based independent studios developing commercial games-for-entertainment. Backed by the UK Government, the initiative aims to help companies scale up, attract investment and generate employment in the creative industries. 

Grants will range from £50,000 to £150,000.  The funding can be used to cover staff and contractor costs directly involved in hands-on development activity. 

The scheme targets established games studios operating in the UK.  Applicants must be able to demonstrate how the funding would provide clearly support their business growth plans and facilitate further investment. 

Closing date: expressions of interest can be made at any time 

Apply here: Home – Content Fund 

Greener Homes Alliance Development Loans 

Homes England and Octopus Real Estate have launched the second phase of the Greener Homes Alliance, providing discounted development finance to small and medium-sized (SME) housebuilders. The initiative supports the construction of energy-efficient homes across England. 

A total of £150 million is available.  Loans range from £2 million to £20 million. Interest rate reductions of up to 2% are available for developers meeting environmental and social criteria.  Eligible applicants include SME housebuilders and developers operating in England. 

Closing date: Applications can be made at any time 

Apply here: Greener Homes Alliance | Octopus Capital 

Co-operative Enterprise Loans 

Co-operative and Community Finance is offering loans of between £10,000 and £85,000 for new or existing co-operatives across the UK to assist with the expansion, setup, or development of a co-operative enterprise.   

Loans will only be made to economically viable enterprises that are democratically owned and controlled organisations registered in the UK.  

Closing date: Applications can be made at any time 

Apply here: Co-op Loan Fund – Unique lending: to co-ops, from co-ops 

Surrey Hills Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) Grants 

The Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme provides grants to farmers and land managers in the Surrey Hills for one-off projects to make improvements to the natural environment, climate change mitigation, cultural heritage and public access on their land.   

Closing date: March 2026 

Apply here: Surrey Hills Farming in Protected Landscapes FiPL 

The Workplace Charging Scheme 

The Workplace Charging Scheme provides support for organisations towards the cost of installing up to 40 electric vehicle chargepoint sockets at their sites. 

The scheme covers up to 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV chargepoints (including VAT), capped at a maximum of: 

• £350 per socket 
• 40 sockets across all sites per applicant – for instance, if you want to install them at 40 sites, you will have 1 socket available per site 

All chargepoints must be installed by an OZEV authorised installer. 

Closing Date: 31^st March 2026 

Apply here: Before you start – 

The Life Sciences Transformational R&D Investment Fund Pilot

The Life Sciences Transformational R&D Investment Fund Pilot is a £50 million capital grant programme supporting large-scale research and development projects within the UK life sciences sector. The fund aims to strengthen health resilience, drive innovation and deliver economic benefits through significant investments in research capacity, facilities and technologies.

Projects should demonstrate how they will enhance the UK’s ability to respond to health emergencies and long-term healthcare challenges, for example by expanding or creating R&D capacity, improving manufacturing processes, accelerating clinical research or deploying new technologies.

Closing date: 31 March 2028 (23:59

Apply here: Life Sciences Transformational R&D Investment Fund Pilot – GOV.UK

Further business support in Surrey

If you can’t see something in this month’s roundup that suits your business’s specific needs, check out our Support Directory, or contact our team of experts via our Business Support Form.

Sign up to our newsletter for regular updates on funding, business news, events and support for all Surrey businesses.