Woodlarkย Nurseries case study: greenhouse expansion sparks growthย
Published 9 December 2025
Advice and support, Funding and grants, Surrey Success Stories
Woodlark Nurseries is family-run nursery in Hersham. Thanks to the Surrey Economic Growth Fund it is doubling its production area, increasing produce, improving efficiency and creating local jobs.
Woodlark Nurseries, run by Graeme Edwards and his father Colin, supplies national and local garden centres including Squires, Garsons Farm and Chessington.
The five-figure investment via Surrey County Councilโs Surrey Economic Growth Fund is allowing it to double the size of its production area, increasing output by an extra 270,000 pots per year.
It means the team can produce more plants, allowing them to better serve their customers, support the community and create more local jobs.
The investment has come at just at the right time for the nursery, allowing it to produce a plethora of poinsettia plants just in time for the festive season.
Graeme Edwards, of Woodlark Nurseries, said: โWe grow seasonal plants and bulbs, mainly bedding plants but also Poinsettia plants at Christmas, along with planted containers and hanging baskets. Mainly to local garden centres and also national garden centre groups as well as local landscapers and gardeners.
โThe funding will allow us to expand and upgrade one of our greenhouse facilities, so we can grow more and grow it better and earlier to match demand from our customers. And to make sure they can get more plants that are grown locally, meaning better quality plants for their customers. The funding will also pave the way for increased efficiencies in production in the future.โ
Woodlark Nurseries: supporting the community
The Surrey Economic Growth Fund was launched by the council earlier this year. It brings together a range of public and private funds,ย includingย governmentโsย UK Shared Prosperity Fund,ย into a single pot.ย
Woodlark Nurseries was one of the first to receive investment following a highly competitive process. It’s using the grant to expand its production area from 1400m2 to 2800m2.
As well as boosting the business, it will allow the team at Woodlark to support the wider community too.
Graeme said: โWe are proud to sponsor both Hersham in Bloom and work closely with Weybridge in Bloom and Claygate Gardening Society which are all fantastic things run by great people, improving the community for everyone, so we’re looking forward to continuing that. If there’s any other local initiatives which are similar and we could work with, we would love to hear from them.
โWe also look to employ from the local community so this project will mean we’ll need to expand this.
โAnd we deal with lots of local garden centres. So this project will hopefully enable us to help them even more by supplying them with locally grown plants, which have a lower carbon footprint and better quality than European imports.
โWe’re really looking forward to starting the project and improving our business as well as supporting the local businesses that we deal with even more.โ
Surrey Economic Growth Fund
Close to ยฃ2 million has been awarded to dozens of recipients via the Surrey Economic Growth Fund. This is unlocking significant match funding and private investment.
The successful bids are collectively estimated to grow Surreyโs economy by ยฃ9 million. They are also creating or safeguarding 300 jobs and bringing 1,350 residents into employment.
Further applications were welcomed in the autumn. And an announcement of recipients from round two will be made in the new year.
Any business looking for funding or support to grow can receive fully-funded support. Get in touch via our Business Support Form.
Renรฉeโs round-up of grants and funding – December
Published 5 December 2025
Funding and grants
As we head into the festive season, itโs the perfect time to start planning for 2026. There are plenty of new grants and challenges launching, so take a look at our latest grants and funding round-up to ensure you donโt miss out. Things move quickly, so check back each month for updates on new programmes and competitions. Good luck, and let me know how you get on!
Renรฉe
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 ยฃ2 million. Eligible projects can request grant funding between ยฃ50,000 and ยฃ100,000.
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.
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 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.
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 ยฃ1,000 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.
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 ยฃ50,000 in grant funding is available for selected start-ups.
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 isnโt just good for the planet, itโs 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 ยฃ5,000 grant to help them scale their sustainability goals.
Enterprise Nation’s Work Reimagined Webinar Series & Prize Draw
Sign up to Enterprise Nation and Dell’s webinar series and download ‘Getting AI-ready: The small business tech checklist’ to simplify set-up, security and updates.
By signing up, youโll be automatically entered into a prize draw to win a tech bundle worth over ยฃ1,000 including a Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 Laptop, a Dell Pro 14 Portable Monitor and Dell Pro Ear Buds.
Innovate UK is offering up to 60 Women in Innovation Awards to women entrepreneurs within SMEs across the UK. The aims of this competition are to support Women in Innovation Award winners:
Whose innovation is aligned to one of the following three high growth sectors defined in the Government’s Industrial Strategy: Advanced Manufacturing, Digital and Technologies and Life Sciences.
Who have a late stage start-up with ambitions to grow a scalable business which will involve raising considerable investment in the next 12 to 24 months.
The winners will receive a ยฃ75,000 grant and bespoke business support.
The business boost grants can help your business with:
Grant support up to ยฃ2,000 to help businesses improve their shop fronts or signage
Grant support up to ยฃ2,000 to help bring a shop that has been empty for at least 3 months back into commercial use
up to ยฃ1,000 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.
Business Support Grants of up to ยฃ1,000 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.
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 ยฃ150 million is available. Loans range from ยฃ2 million to ยฃ20 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
Co-operative and Community Finance offers loans of between ยฃ10,000 and ยฃ85,000 for new or existing co-operatives across the UK. Loans are to assist with the expansion, setup, or development of a co-operative enterprise. 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 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). This is capped at a maximum of:
ยฃ350 per socket
40 sockets across all sites per applicant. For example, if you install at 40 sites, you will have 1 socket 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 round-up 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.
Call now open for CoSTAR National Lab’s “Advanced Production Technology” call
Published 28 November 2025
Funding and grants
The CoSTAR National Lab is looking for innovative approaches to advanced production that improve efficiency and enhance workflowsโhelping create impactful, audience-facing experiences.
If youโre a UK-based creative or technology-focused SME developing technical innovations for production pipelines, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. Potential applications include:
Film and TV development
Animation and visual effects
Games and digital content creation
Live performance production
Emerging media and new technologies
Whatโs on offer?
This R&D programme provides a generous support package, including:
Access to studio and AI compute facilities
World-class research expertise
Cash funding
Travel and residency stipend (subject to eligibility)
A total of ยฃ140,000 in cash funding is available to support 3โ5 projects, with up to ยฃ40,000 per project.
What are they looking for?
The Lab is keen to explore new workflows and production tools, including (but not limited to) innovations in:
For information on other sources of funding and grants, read our regular Funding Roundup or sign up for our newsletter.
Renรฉeโs round-up of grants and funding – November
Published 17 November 2025
Funding and grants
Hereโs 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!
Renรฉe
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
Powered by SeedLegals, the UK and Irelandโs 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 ยฃ25k for the winner and 2 weeks of exclusive mentoring for all 60 finalists to get pitch-ready before the events.
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 โbold and brave,โ 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.
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 ยฃ40,000 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
Made Smarter Innovation: SME resource and energy efficiency โ 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).
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 โ up to ยฃ500,000 grant funding
Biomedical Catalyst 2025: Industry led R&D large projects โ over ยฃ500,000 grant funding.
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 ยฃ2 million. Eligible projects can request grant funding between ยฃ50,000 and ยฃ100,000.
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.
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 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.
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 ยฃ1,000 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.
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 ยฃ50,000 in grant funding is available for selected start-ups.
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 isnโt just good for the planet, itโs 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 ยฃ5,000 grant to help them scale their sustainability goals.
The business boost grants can help your business with:
Grant support up to ยฃ2,000 to help businesses improve their shop fronts or signage
Grant support up to ยฃ2,000 to help bring a shop that has been empty for at least 3 months back into commercial use
up to ยฃ1,000 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.
Business Support Grants of up to ยฃ1,000 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.
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 ยฃ150 million is available. Loans range from ยฃ2 million to ยฃ20 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
Co-operative and Community Finance offers loans of between ยฃ10,000 and ยฃ85,000 for new or existing co-operatives across the UK. Loans are to assist with the expansion, setup, or development of a co-operative enterprise. 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 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). This is capped at a maximum of:
ยฃ350 per socket
40 sockets across all sites per applicant. For example, if you install at 40 sites, you will have 1 socket 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.
Misty Moon Cider: turning food waste into profit
Published 3 November 2025
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.โ
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.โ
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.
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.
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.
โItโs paid for our student workforce which has enabled 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.
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.โ
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.
“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.โ
About the Surrey Economic Growth Fund
Do you have a business idea that can drive growth across Surrey?
The Surrey Economic Growth Fund 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 upskilling
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
Closing Date: 22 September (23:59 ET)
Apply here: Epic MegaGrants | Apply for Funding for Your UE5 and UEFN Projects – Unreal Engineย
Camden Challenge Prize
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.
Closing Date: 30 September at 4.59pm
Apply here: Camden Challenge Prize โ We Make Camdenย
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 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.
Closing date: 9 October at 11.59pm
Apply here: Simply Business Young Entrepreneur Fund 2025ย
Full ADOPT Grant Round 3
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
Closing date: 15 October at 11am
Apply here: Your application โ UKRIย
CoCreate Pitch 2025
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.
Closing date: 15 October 2025
Apply here:ย CoCreate Pitch 2025ย
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 โฌ10,000 There is also a โฌ5,000 prize for non-winning SGD-7 Finalists.
Closing date: 31 October 2025
Apply here: Start Up Energy Transition Award – All Years Recapsย
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.
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.
Closing date: 5 November at 11am
Apply here: Your application โ
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.ย
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 2025
Apply here: Aurora Tech Award โ A worldwide prize for women founders of IT and Tech startupsย
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
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.
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