Funding and grants, Innovation, Surrey Success Stories
Misty Moon Cider is a drinks producer in Farnham that turns surplus fruit into thirst-quenching products. Thanks to the Surrey Economic Growth Fund, the business is investing in new equipment. This will help is scale up, increasing production by six times.
There’s been a bumper crop of apples this season thanks to the hottest summer on record. So a business growth grant from Surrey County Council came at the perfect time for craft drinks producer Misty Moon Cider.ย
Kathryn Lockett founded the drinks brand in 2021, making sustainable craft cider from surplus garden and orchard apples in Farnham. She wanted to reduce food waste and make use of the area’s abundant apple stocks by creating an artisan cider.ย
Starting out producing 200 bottles in 2024, the investment will help the business scale up to produce up to 12,000 bottles in 2025. And there will be kegs for pubs and bars by 2026.
Kathryn, who is an international development consultant by day, has been able to invest in new pressing and brewing equipment for Misty Moon.
Before receiving the funding, Kathryn and a small team were pressing and bottling all the cider by hand using small-scale equipment.ย
โOur new equipment means we donโt have to do everything by hand anymore. It means weโre going to have over 6,000 litres of Misty Moon Cider to sell next year,โ Kathryn said.ย
The funds have also gone towards hiring more student workers in the area. They have helped to pick and press the apples, in what has been a โmonumental harvestโ this year.ย
Misty Moon Cider: rooted in nature
Kathryn said: โThis is something we started about four years ago, motivated by a love of locally produced craft cider.โย
She also wanted to do something to protect the areaโs apple trees. Kathryn explained that Farnham has a long history of apple trees and orchards, but many of these have now disappeared.ย
When people have too many apples from their trees that fall, rot and attract pests, these also risk being cut down.
Misty Moon Cider was the perfect solution, allowing people to donate their surplus apples, avoiding food waste and helping to protect the areaโs precious trees.ย
โThis year thereโs been a massive crop of apples,โ Kathryn said.
As well as donations from peopleโs gardens, Misty Moon partners with community-based organisations too.ย
โWe get apple donations from the Countryside Regeneration Trust, National Trust Swan Barn and the Enton Community Orchard, where we also help them care for the orchard in partnership with the charity COPSE.ย
โWeโve just collected 4,500 tonnes of apples in a week that would have just rotted. And we give the apple pomace to the Hairy Pig Company in Guildford, so nothing goes to waste.
โWeโre very much about making delicious cider, supporting the community, protecting trees and preventing food waste.โย
Misty Moon Cider and local businesses
Misty Moon Cider was first sold at the Farnham Sustainable Festival in 2023. Now itโs stocked in Wine Rack, Hogs Back Brewery Shop, the Star Pub in Godalming and the London Cider House in Borough Market.
Misty Moon Cider is also served at the Michelin โMaison’ Restaurant in Farnham.ย
Support from Surrey’s local independent businesses has been crucial to Misty Moon. And local events are a mainstay for the business, with stands at Farnham Food Festival and various events at Gostrey Meadows.ย
The grant has made a huge difference to the business. Kathryn said: โIt has given us the professional bottling stock of 2,600 bottles that we have been selling this year which has meant we can sell to more people in more places.ย ย
โItโs paid for our student workforce which has enableds us to bring in this monumental harvest.ย ย
โAnd crucially, weโve been able to buy this amazing new equipment, meaning we do not have to hand process everything. It was getting unfeasible doing everything by hand.ย
โIt will give us the boost we need to produce enough stock to keep our product costs down, expand into new markets and get our brand known more.โย
Kathryn added: โCider making is one of the oldest UK industries, itโs around 3,000 years old, and we have everything we need for it right here in Surrey – the apples, the tools, the knowledge.ย
“However, it is really challenging for small businesses like ours to compete with much larger producers. As such we always encourage people to buy local, support local businesses and support local brewing, whilst enjoying a deliciously tasty Misty Moon Cider.โย
About the Surrey Economic Growth Fund
Do you have a business idea that can drive growth across Surrey?
Theย Surrey Economic Growth Fundย from Surrey County Council has the sole focus of driving economic growth across the region.
Applications are now live for the Business Growth Grant scheme, closing at midnight on 16 November 2025.
It is open to all small and medium size businesses in Surrey.
The award is a match-funded grant of between ยฃ10,000 and ยฃ75,000, covering up to 50% of eligible project costs.
Funding can support:
Purchasing new equipment or technology
Developing new products or services
Expanding operations or facilities
Investing in staff training and upskillingย
We particularly welcome applications from rural businesses, farms, and those contributing to the rural economy.
Aerosensor is a technology firm in Dunsfold Industrial Park led by former F1 engineer Dr Barney Garrood. Thanks to the Surrey Economic Growth Fund, it is creating a new wind-tunnel facility and highly-skilled STEM jobs.ย
Aerosensor is one of a growing number of Surrey businesses with innovation at its heart.
It is developing new aerodynamic measurement probes for automotive and aerospace applications. And thanks to a five-figure grant from the Surrey Economic Growth Fund, its operation is now expanding.
The grant will support extra staff, infrastructure and the design, build and testing of the probes. โย
Dr Barney Garrood is founder of Aerosensor. He explains that he started the business in 2023 to create probes for cycling – but then started selling devices to F1 too.ย
โWe have continued doing that and the market has grown to other motorsports and even marine industry,โ he said.ย
He explained that in order to make and develop the probes, the firm needed a wind tunnel to calibrate and test them.
โWithout our own wind tunnel, we were at the mercy of how booked up other facilities were. I even had to travel to Bristol once to test one probe. So I decided to build our own wind tunnel.”ย
Aerosensor: a global leader
The new wind tunnel will be transformative for Aerosensor.
Barney explains: โHaving our own wind tunnel means we can halve our turnaround time to develop our existing probes that will make them world leading.
“There are only three other companies in the world that make these things. Having that facility on site is going to massively accelerate our development time and allow us to develop more advanced probes. Itโs moved the business forward by about a year.โย
He added: โThe grant enabled us to fully kit out the wind tunnel with tools and instruments we need. Weโll also be hiring new staff and technicians. I have over 20 years of experience in F1 and weโre going to take people on and train them up in a highly skilled job.”ย
The growth of his business will have an impact on the wider Surrey economy beyond jobs too.
For example, he also uses external suppliers in the county. And he has helped to enhance Dunsfold Industrial Parkโs legacy as an aerodynamic centre.ย
He adds: โDunsfold Park has a history of aerodynamic development. The Harrier Jump Jet was developed here. And thereโs a lot of racing car heritage here, and with fantastic high-tech motorsport such as McLaren in the area, it is the ideal place.โ
About the Surrey Economic Growth Fund
Do you have a business idea that can drive growth across Surrey?
The Surrey Economic Growth Fund is overseen by Surrey County Council with the sole focus of driving economic growth across the region.
Applications are now live for the Business Growth Grant scheme, closing at midnight on 16 November 2025.
It is open to all small and medium size businesses in Surrey.
The award is a match-funded grant of between ยฃ10,000 and ยฃ75,000, covering up to 50% of eligible project costs.
Funding can support:
Purchasing new equipment or technology
Developing new products or services
Expanding operations or facilities
Investing in staff training and upskillingย
We particularly welcome applications from rural businesses, farms, and those contributing to the rural economy.
Renรฉeโs round-up of grants and funding – October
Published 17 October 2025
Funding and grants
Hereโs 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.
Weโre 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!
Renรฉe
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 ยฃ5,000 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.
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 โฌ10,000 There is also a โฌ5,000 prize for non-winning SGD-7 Finalists.
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 ยฃ7.8 million in innovation projects.ย
The aim of this competition is to:
Developโฏsolutions with the potential toโฏimprove overall productivity, sustainability, resilience and move existing agricultural sectors to net zero
Ensureโฏsolutionsโฏhave positive outputs for farmers, growers or foresters in commercially relevantโฏsituations
Develop new agricultural solutions by collaborationโฏthrough engagement with end usersโฏand the UK research communityโฏin the innovation process
Accelerate adoption by ensuring knowledge exchange with theโฏwider sector and other stakeholders
Your proposal must be able to demonstrate how the project will benefit farmers, growers or foresters in England. Your projectโs total eligible costs must be between ยฃ1 million and ยฃ3 million.
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.
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 ยฃ5,000.
Active Surreyโs 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.
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 UKโs 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 UKโs 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 ยฃ2,000 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 โ 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 ยฃ8,000
Scaling Up – funding of up to ยฃ18,000 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 ยฃ15,000. 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
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 ยฃ50,000 to ยฃ150,000. 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
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 ยฃ150 million is available. Loans range from ยฃ2 million to ยฃ20 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
Co-operative and Community Finance is offering loans of between ยฃ10,000 and ยฃ85,000 for new or existing co-operatives across the UK to assist with the expansion, setup, or development of a co-operative enterprise. โฏ
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
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.
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:
ยฃ350 per socket
40 sockets across all sites per applicant โ for instance, if you want to install them at 40 sites, you will have 1 socket available per site
The Life Sciences Transformational R&D Investment Fund Pilot
The Life Sciences Transformational R&D Investment Fund Pilot is a ยฃ50 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 UKโs 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.
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.
Business Growth Grants now available to Surrey SMEs
Published 16 October 2025
Advice and support, Business news, Funding and grants
Business Growth Grants totalling ยฃ1.7 million are now available to all small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Surrey. Apply now to fund bright ideas to accelerate growth, boost innovation and create jobs.ย
Businesses can apply for match-funding of between ยฃ10,000 and ยฃ75,000 towards new equipment or technology. It can also support developing new products or services, expanding operations or facilities, or investing in staff training and upskilling.ย
The key thing is that businesses demonstrate how they will use the investment to deliver real benefits to the people, places and economy of Surrey.
Apply now via the Economic Growth Fund page before midnight on 16 November. All projects need to be complete by the end of March.ย
What is the Surrey Economic Growth Fund?
The Surrey Economic Growth Fund launched this year. It includes a range of public and investment streams, including government UK Shared Prosperity Funding.ย
The idea is to make it as simple and easy-as-possible for those looking to drive growth to apply for funding.
Councillor Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said:
โFollowing the success of round one, I’m delighted to launch round two of the Surrey Economic Growth Fund. The exceptional quality of applications we received first time around has demonstrated just how much ambition and innovation exists within Surrey’s business community.ย
โWe’re committed to maintaining the high standards that made round one such a success. Every application will be rigorously assessed to ensure we’re backing businesses that will deliver genuine economic growth, create quality jobs, and produce tangible benefits for Surrey’s communities.ย
โSurrey already contributes ยฃ50 billion to the UK economy each year. And strategic investments like this will support sustainable growth while delivering benefits to our people and places.โย
How do I apply for Business Growth Grants?
You can apply if your business is:
based in Surreyย
small or medium-sized enterprise (SME)
able to provide match-funding for at least 50% of total project costsย
able to deliver the project by March 2026ย
Projects must clearly demonstrate how they will contribute to economic growth in Surrey. This includes creating new jobs, boosting productivity or supporting innovation.
Bids are assessed against a set criteria. An independent panel, including business representatives makes final decisions.
Not sure where to start? Get in touch with the team viaย our Contact Us form.
Surrey Economic Growth Fund round one: ยฃ2 million funding announced
Published 30 September 2025
Business news, Funding and grants
Surrey Economic Growth Fund round one invests ยฃ2 million to Surrey businesses and wider economy. Collectively the grants will provide an economic boost worth millions, creating scores of new jobs and hundreds of local job opportunities.
From vineyards and biotech to manufacturing and AI firms, a diverse range of organisations from all four corners of the county are receiving investment via the Surrey Economic Growth Fund.
The scheme is made up of a range of pooled funding streams. This includes the governmentโs UK Shared Prosperity Funding and Rural England Prosperity Fund. It was launched by Surrey County Council in April.
Following a highly competitive process, close to ยฃ2 million has been awarded to dozens of recipients, unlocking significant match funding and private investment.
The successful bids are collectively estimated to grow Surreyโs economy by ยฃ9 million, create or safeguard 300 jobs and bring 1,350 residents into employment.
Economic Growth Fund round one examples
One business receiving funding is Aero Sensor, a world-leading technology firm in Dunsfold Industrial Park led by a former F1 engineer Dr Barney Garrood.
The company is one of only three companies globally developing new aerodynamic measurement probes for automotive and aerospace applications.
The five-figure grant will support the creation of a new wind-tunnel facility to test its designs, creating new highly skilled jobs in the process.
Dr Garrood said: โThe grant enabled us to fully kit out the wind tunnel with tools and instruments we need. Weโll also be hiring new staff and technicians. I have over 20 years of experience in F1 and weโre going to take people on and train them up in a highly skilled job.
โHaving our own wind tunnel means we can halve our turnaround time to develop our existing probes that will make them world leading. There are only three other companies in the world that make these things. Having that facility on site is going to massively accelerate our development time and allow us to develop more advanced probes. Itโs moved the business forward by about a year.โ
Agriculture, AI and local supply chains
Other successful bids include Woodlark Nurseries in Hersham creating a new horticultural facility, while Upper Birtley Farm Partnership near Bramley will establish a premium glamping and outdoor education site in the Surrey Hills.
Dorking Distillery received a grant to create a new, custom-built distillery at Denbies Wine Estate, enhancing Surreyโs reputation for world-class food and drink.
And a Godalming business, Sammi-Select, will develop a new โpractice interviewโ tool adapted from an AI platform. This will support marginalised jobseekers such as young people not in education or training and those who are digitally excluded.
Thereโs county-wide approaches funded too, including allocations for Surrey Venture Studio to support start-ups. This is a collaboration between the countyโs three universities. And Source in Surrey, led by the countyโs Chambers of Commerce, to encourage larger businesses to โbuy localโ.
Both will offer benefits to many businesses across the county, complementing and enhancing existing support already ongoing through Business Surrey.
“Positive outcomes for Surrey’s communities”
Councillor Matt Furniss, Surrey County Councilโs Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: “The new Economic Growth Fund has generated a huge level of interest from across Surrey, demonstrating the real appetite from our amazing business community to drive innovation, growth and job creation in our county.
โRound one was a highly competitive process and we’ve maintained our commitment to only supporting the highest quality bids which fully met the criteria. This ensures every pound invested will deliver genuine growth, create meaningful jobs and produce positive outcomes for Surrey’s communities.
โOur ambition is to position Surrey – which already contributes ยฃ50 billion to UK plc every year – as one of the UKโs leading regional economies. This fund is just one of the ways weโre building the foundations to achieve that.”
Round Two of the Surrey Economic Growth Fund is now open. Applicants can expect a streamlined, one-stage process supported by a guidance handbook.
Renรฉeโs round-up of grants and funding – September
Published 12 September 2025
Funding and grants
Hereโs a round up of grants that have come through my inbox this month, it’s fast moving so check this every month for updates on what programmes have been released. Iโm increasingly being asked on tips for writing a successful grant application. My ground rules are:
Research thoroughly
Apply early
Be specific
Avoid using technical jargon
Provide all the information and documentation required
Meet the deadline.
Good Luck and let me know how you get on!
Renรฉe
Epic MegaGrants
Epic Games is offering financial support through its Epic MegaGrants programme, designed to advance innovation in real-time 3D creation. The scheme supports individuals and teams across gaming, media, enterprise and education.
Typical awards range from $5,000 to $150,000. Funding may be used for development costs or team-related expenses, such as staffing and continued production.
Creators and projects in the following areas are eligible:
Game Developersโฏ– using Unreal Engine (or transitioning to UE5).
Film and Media Creatorsโฏ–โฏreal-time content using Unreal Engine.
Enterprise and Industryโฏ– Unreal Engine projects in other industries
Education and Researchโฏ– university-level initiatives
Tool and Open-Source Developersโฏ– tools that integrate with Unreal or contribute to the 3D open-source ecosystem
UEFN (Fortnite Creative) Developersโฏ– creators using Unreal Editor for Fortnite
This prize seeks innovative ideas and solutions to transform how food waste is prevented and managed across Hospitality and Food Service sector. Applications should address at least one of the following challenges:
Reducing food surplus
Influencing workplace culture and practices
Managing inedible food waste
The winner will receive ยฃ75,000, the runner-up will receive ยฃ25,000. During the prototyping phase, four finalists will receive ยฃ5,000.
Applications are open to individuals, groups, startups, and organisations across the UK, including students, professionals, non-profits, and for-profits. The solutions must be tested in and applicable to the London Borough of Camden.
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 Upโฏ- funding of up to ยฃ8,000
Scaling Upโฏ- funding of up to ยฃ18,000 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.
Young entrepreneurs in the UK aged 18-30 can apply for financial support to help start or expand their businesses. The Young Entrepreneur Fund is run by Simply Business in partnership with Hatch Enterprise and provides both funding and tailored business assistance.
Grants of ยฃ5,000 are available through the initiative. In addition to financial support, successful applicants will take part in six weeks of business development support delivered by Hatch Enterprise. This aims to help young entrepreneurs address the challenges of launching or growing a venture.
This funding is part of DefraโsโฏFarming Innovation Programme, delivered in partnership with Innovate UK to invest up to ยฃ3 million for on-farm trials and farm experiment projects.
The aim of this competition is to support innovative, on-farm trials or experiments to test ideas or solutions and demonstrate that they will address major on-farm or immediate post farmgate challenges or opportunities. Your project must have the potential to significantly improve one or more of the following:
Productivity
Resilience
Sustainability and progression towards net zero farming
Your proposal must demonstrate to other English farmers, growers or foresters how the idea or solution will be of benefit to them. Your projectโs total costs must be between ยฃ50,000 and ยฃ100,000
The Global Entrepreneurship Network and Alibaba.com are accepting applications for CoCreate Pitch, an international startup competition focused on product innovation.
The initiative is designed to support early-stage businesses in bringing product ideas to market by facilitating industry connections and offering growth-focused resources.
The programme is open to entrepreneurs worldwide and offers the opportunity to compete for a share of $1 million in prizes. Participants will have the chance to connect with global manufacturers and investors. This support aims to assist with rapid prototyping and cost-effective production.
Participating teams receive pitch training and mentorship aimed at addressing specific business challenges, identifying solutions, and improving their presentation skills. Finalists will present their pitches live at a flagship event in London in November.
At the London Pitch Finals, ten winners will each receive prize packages valued at $20,000, comprising $10,000 in non-dilutive cash and $10,000 in credits and in-kind support. One grand prize winner will receive a total of $200,000 in prizes, including $100,000 in non-dilutive cash and $100,000 in credits and in-kind support.
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 โฌ10,000 There is also a โฌ5,000 prize for non-winning SGD-7 Finalists.
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 ยฃ7.8 million in innovation projects.ย
The aim of this competition is to:
Developโฏsolutions with the potential toโฏimprove overall productivity, sustainability, resilience and move existing agricultural sectors to net zero
Ensureโฏsolutionsโฏhave positive outputs for farmers, growers or foresters in commercially relevantโฏsituations
Develop new agricultural solutions by collaborationโฏthrough engagement with end usersโฏand the UK research communityโฏin the innovation process
Accelerate adoption by ensuring knowledge exchange with theโฏwider sector and other stakeholders
Your proposal must be able to demonstrate how the project will benefit farmers, growers or foresters in England. Your projectโs total eligible costs must be between ยฃ1 million and ยฃ3 million.
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 2025 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.
Launched in April this is an easy to access, easy to administer grant from Innovate UK for ยฃ15,000. 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
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 ยฃ50,000 to ยฃ150,000. 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
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 ยฃ150 million is available. Loans range from ยฃ2 million to ยฃ20 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
Co-operative and Community Finance is offering loans of between ยฃ10,000 and ยฃ85,000 for new or existing co-operatives across the UK to assist with the expansion, setup, or development of a co-operative enterprise. โฏ
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
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.
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:
ยฃ350 per socket
40 sockets across all sites per applicant โ for instance, if you want to install them at 40 sites, you will have 1 socket available per site
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.
3TOP Aviation embarks on growth plans thanks to ยฃ20 million loan from UK Export Finance
Published 8 September 2025
Funding and grants, Surrey Success Stories
3TOP Aviation, a market-leading aircraft trading and refurbishment specialist, has secured multimillion-pound investment to meet growing international demand. This is thanks to support from UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UKโs export credit agency.
The Leatherhead-based firm acquires mid-to-end-life aircraft and engines for onward trading, leasing and refurbishment. They also dismantle aircraft and rebuild the associated components for onward sale to clients, helping to make the aerospace industry more sustainable.
The company โ which employs 18 staff in Surrey plus 16 outside the UK โ aims to grow into new global markets and product lines such as new generation aircraft.
As a result of the UKEF-backed financing, 3TOP Aviation is also planning to expand its UK workforce by 20%.
Plus, it is relocating some of its warehouses in France and the US to a larger site in Leatherhead, bringing further benefits to the local economy.
The financing has been secured with backing from UKEF issued under its General Export Facility. This guarantee enabled HSBC UK to provide a trade finance facility of up to ยฃ20 million, supporting 3TOP Aviationโs export growth.
Chris Emechete, Managing Director of 3TOP Aviation, said:
“We are delighted to have secured substantial funding from UKEF which helps strengthen our position as a leading UK exporter of commercial aircraft aftermarket services and allows us to further exploit new opportunities around the world.
“We are very active in the aviation market globally, so capital backing from UKEF, a major credit export agency with an impeccable pedigree and reputation, aligns perfectly with our growth plans and aspirations.”
Tim Reid, CEO at UK Export Finance, said:
“3TOP Aviationโs story shows how our support empowers UK businesses to create prosperity at home while growing their footprint internationally.
“Their impressive growth in turnover from ยฃ3 million to ยฃ70 million in just four years demonstrates the huge potential for British firms by tapping into global markets. Thatโs where UKEF comes in: weโre here to ensure that lack of finance never stands in the way of firms achieving their true export potential.
“3TOP Aviation brings more than 25 years of industry expertise to the sector, with international offices spanning the United Arab Emirates, United States, Singapore, Germany and India. In the last four years, 3TOP Aviationโs business has boomed with revenue growing from a post-Covid low of ยฃ3 million in 2021 to ยฃ70 million in 2025.”
Grow your business with UK Export Finance
UK Export Finance (UKEF) is the UKโs export credit agency. It’s a government department, working alongside the Department for Business and Trade as an integral part of its strategy and operations.
3TOP Aviation is one of more than 660 companies accessing support from UKEF in the last financial year. It has provided a record ยฃ14.5 billion in new financing, supporting up to 70,000 jobs.
UKEF works with over 100 private credit insurers and lenders to help UK companies access export finance. It complements not competes with the private sector.
UKEF helps UK companies to:
win export contracts by providing attractive financing terms to their buyers
fulfil contracts by supporting working capital loans
get paid by insuring against buyer default
Its export finance managers provide free and impartial consultations, helping UK companies to check they are getting appropriate support and exploring how to bridge any gaps.
Renรฉeโs round-up of grants and funding – August
Published 18 August 2025
Funding and grants
Thereโs no summer break for grant funding being announced. Hereโs 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.
Good Luck and let me know how you get on!
Renรฉe
Open Horizons #Opencall1
Open Horizons is a Horizon Europe-funded initiative. It has launched its first Open Call to provide funding for women-led startups in sectors such as AI, Green Tech, Blockchain and Advanced Materials. Successful applicants can receive up to โฌ55,000 in equity-free funding, tailored mentoring and strategic matchmaking, and opportunities to co-design and test paid pilot projects with major European corporates.
Applications are open to startups led by at least one woman holding a key executive role (CEO, CTO or Founder) with a minimum 25% ownership, and in inception or early-growth stage. Eligible startups must operate in deeptech or digital innovation and be based in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe-associated country (including the UK).
Epic Games is offering financial support through its Epic MegaGrants programme, designed to advance innovation in real-time 3D creation. The scheme supports individuals and teams across gaming, media, enterprise and education.
Typical awards range from $5,000 to $150,000. Funding may be used for development costs or team-related expenses, such as staffing and continued production.
Creators and projects in the following areas are eligible:
Game Developersโฏ- using Unreal Engine (or transitioning to UE5).
Film and Media Creatorsโฏ-โฏreal-time content using Unreal Engine.
Enterprise and Industryโฏ- Unreal Engine projects in other industries
Education and Researchโฏ- university-level initiatives
Tool and Open-Source Developersโฏ– tools that integrate with Unreal or contribute to the 3D open-source ecosystem
UEFN (Fortnite Creative) Developersโฏ- creators using Unreal Editor for Fortnite.
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 Upโฏ- funding of up to ยฃ8,000
Scaling Upโฏ- funding of up to ยฃ18,000 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.
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 2025 at 11am.
More information can be accessed at the IUK website.
RTO Catapult Grant Scheme – Innovate UK
Launched in April this is an easy to access, easy to administer grant from Innovate UK for ยฃ15,000. 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.
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 ยฃ50,000 to ยฃ150,000. 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.ย Applicants must be able to demonstrate how the funding would provide clearly support their business growth plans and facilitate further investment.ย
Closing date: expressions of interest can be made at any time
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 ยฃ150 million is available. Loans range from ยฃ2 million to ยฃ20 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
Co-operative and Community Finance is offering loans of between ยฃ10,000 and ยฃ85,000 for new or existing co-operatives across the UK to assist with the expansion, setup, or development of a co-operative enterprise. โฏ
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
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.
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:
ยฃ350 per socket
40 sockets across all sites per applicant โ for instance, if you want to install them at 40 sites, you will have 1 socket available per site
If there isn’t anything 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.
Skills Bootcamps applications open for Surrey employers and training providers
Published 9 July 2025
Funding and grants, Skills and workforce
Skills Bootcamps applications are being invited from Surrey employers and training providers for 2025/26. Discover how these government-funded courses can upskill your team in a just a few weeks.
Are you a Surrey employer struggling to recruit? Does your team have skills gaps youโd like to fill? Apply today for Skills Bootcamps funding to equip your business with the talent and know-how to thrive.
Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks for anyone aged 19+ to enter employment, upskill or change career.
We – as part of Surrey County Council – have received ยฃ3.1 million from the Department for Education to deliver courses across Surrey during 2025/26.ย
Weโre looking for innovative ideas from employers and training providers to design and deliver courses to equip our residents with the skills to grow our future economy.
Think Skills Bootcamps may be a good fit to help you upskill your team or address your workforce needs? Get in touch to find out more by emailing skillsbootcamps@surreycc.gov.uk.
A member of the team will then arrange a one-to-one discussion to talk through your challenges and objectives.
Of if youโre ready to apply, then scroll down to find out more about the process.
Skills Bootcamps 2025/26 – who can apply
Applications can be made by:
independent training providers
further education (FE) colleges
employers
As employers, you will possess the relevant intelligence to support a robust proposal. This includes demonstrating creative design and an understanding of local employersโ needs.
Do you not have experience of skills training? You can partner with organisations that can evidence proven experience and strong local networks to design and deliver innovative courses shaped around the needs of jobseekers and employers.
We are now accepting Skills Bootcamps applications from interested parties under a competitive grant award process. They will form part of Wave 6 of the programme, completing by the end of March 2026.
Applications will need to evidence demand, strategic fit and innovation, setting out:
access to employment post training (preference to partnership bids with employers)
how you will meet demand in the local economy, using evidence such as Surrey Economic Growth Strategy and Labour Market Information
who your target learners are
your previous experience delivering employer-led training
previous collaboration with local employers (Training providers only)
how you will deliver the programme
We actively encourage joint applications from training providers and employers. Make sure they clearly evidence how the course will fill open vacancies.
There is no closing date. We will asses applications on a rolling basis for suitability. But we do advise applicants to submit entries as soon as possible. This is so courses are delivered before the end of March 2026.ย
Renรฉeโs July round-up of business funding and grant sources
Published 8 July 2025
Funding and grants
Before I share details of all the grants and business funding that is available, did you know that 280 years ago this July, the first ever recorded womenโs cricket match took place on Gosden Common near Guildford between the eleven maids of Bramley and the eleven maids of Hambledon. Apparently, it drew a large crowd and was reported in several newspapers.
The Sage Small Business XI 2025 Grant is linked to their sponsorship of The Hundred, the British cricket tournament that has taken off in the last few years and which is leading the way in giving womenโs and menโs sport equal billing.
Part of the prize on offer is the chance to get promoted at one of the games which are broadcast live on TV. Now, you might be a cricket fan and the idea of your company being advertised over the hoardings at the Oval sounds like a dream come true, but how many of your potential customers are also cricket fans? Start thinking about the marketing opportunities on offer and how they might be just as beneficial as ยฃ10k.
By the way, if you havenโt been to The Hundred, go! Not only are the Surrey based Oval Invincibles the current menโs holders, but itโs also a great day out!
Good Luck and let me know how you get on!
Renรฉe
Sage Small Business XI 2025
Are your potential customers cricket fans? Sage is giving away a total of ยฃ50k in business grants to 11 deserving small businesses plus in stadium branding at one local The Hundred Cricket Match and 2 x tickets to The Hundred Final.
The competition is open to all UK residents aged 18 or over who are an owner of a small business, charity or not-for-profit thatโs been trading for a year that has fewer than 50 employees.
Closing date: 12:00pm on Monday 7th July
Apply here: Sage x The Hundred | Small Business Competition | Enter to Win
Santander X UK Awards
The Santander X UK Awards is Santander’s flagship entrepreneurship pitching competition. The competition has evolved to supporting 3 categories: university entrepreneurs, start-ups and a new SME category added for 2025.
Their aim is to award equity-free funding with prizes of between ยฃ10-30,000 and support for ambitious UK founders to take their ventures to the next level.
Closing Date: 16 July at 23.59
Apply here: Santander X UK Awards
Adobe Express ยฃ1,000 Grant
From now until August, 2 business owners a month will win ยฃ1,000 and mentoring from Adobe Express and Enterprise Nation.
All you have to do is share a creation you have made by using the templates in Adobe Express. It could be a social post, flyer or logo for your brand, upload it and complete the application for to be in with a chance of winning.
Closing date: until August 2025
Apply here:ย Adobe Express Brand Builder | Win ยฃ1,000 for your marketing strategyย
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 2025 at 11am.
More information can be accessed at the IUK website.
RTO Catapult Grant Scheme – Innovate UK
Launched in April this is an easy to access, easy to administer grant from Innovate UK for ยฃ15,000. 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.
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 ยฃ50,000 to ยฃ150,000. 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 clearly support their business growth plans and facilitate further investment.
Closing date: expressions of interest can be made at any time
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 ยฃ150 million is available. Loans range from ยฃ2 million to ยฃ20 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
Co-operative and Community Finance is offering loans of between ยฃ10,000 and ยฃ85,000 for new or existing co-operatives across the UK to assist with the expansion, setup, or development of a co-operative enterprise. โฏ
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
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.
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:
ยฃ350 per socket
40 sockets across all sites per applicant โ for instance, if you want to install them at 40 sites, you will have 1 socket available per site
If there isn’t anything 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.
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