Renée’s round-up of grants and funded programmes - June

A busy update this month including support for all sectors and for those at all stages of business from pre-start to established phases.

I’m pleased to be able to share that the University of Surrey’s Business School has just become accredited to deliver the government subsidised Help to Grow programme for founders and managers looking to grow their business, its great to have this being delivered within the county (see below for more details).

I can’t though not pass up the opportunity to give a plug for an upcoming webinar we’re delivering on 30 June. Myself and George Harper; our Growth and Innovation Fund Programme Manager are drawing on insights learnt from the funding programmes we delivered in 2025 to share our top tips on writing successful grant applications.

We’ve seen first-hand that many businesses struggle to combine clear data, compelling storytelling, and measurable impact – all essential ingredients for a successful grant application. This practical 1 hr webinar will help you build the confidence and knowledge to approach writing grant applications effectively. Register now to secure your place.

Things are always moving with grants and funded programmes so keep an eye out for my monthly updates. Good luck, and let me know how you get on!

Renée

Made Smarter South East

Made Smarter South East is a government-funded programme created to drive growth amongst the South East’s manufacturing SMEs and makers. The Made Smarter team will provide advice and support to manufacturers and makers to:

Help them switch to advanced and automated technologies
Identify the right technologies and tools
And use them to make everyday improvements to your business.

Support elements include:

Match-funding of up to £20,000 (50% is available)
Expert advice, guidance and support
Bespoke digital roadmap for your business
Leadership training
Workforce training
Fully-funded student internship (up to 300 hours).

The programme is open to SME manufacturers and makers based in the South East. In order to be eligible businesses must have fewer than 250 employees and not be part of a wider group, or be funded by Private Equity, with a turnover below £44 million, and not have received state aid of more than £315,000 over the last three years.

Closing date: 31 March 2027
Find out more: Made Smarter South East: funding & support for manufacturers

Source in Surrey

Source in Surrey is a UK Government-funded initiative delivered by Surrey Chambers of Commerce. It is dedicated to supporting local businesses to win more customers, connect with each other, access opportunities, and strengthen local supply chains across the county.

An AI-powered platform has been developed to streamline connections between buyers and suppliers, ensuring small and medium-sized businesses benefit more from the spending opportunities provided by the larger organisations in the county. Surrey based SMEs will find sourcing new customers faster and simpler with the use of the new AI business to business matchmaking tool.

Alongside the AI-tool, a programme of roadshows, training, and events bring businesses together in person creating opportunities to learn, network, and build the relationships that power successful local supply chains. Together, this combination of AI and face-to-face engagement will help Surrey businesses be more connected, expand their customer base, and keep business local.

Closing date: ongoing
Find out more: Homepage | Source In Surrey

Help to Grow: Management Course

The Help to Grow Management Course runs over 12 weeks and includes online and face-to-face sessions, 1-to-1 mentoring and peer networking. Whether you need to identify more efficient ways of working, target new markets, or create a plan to take your business and team to the next level, the Help to Grow Management Course will provide the knowledge and support you need.

To join the Help to Grow Management Course you should:

Work for a Small or Medium-sized Enterprise based in the United Kingdom
Employ between 5 and 249 employees
Be a member of the senior leadership team and have direct reports.

The full course is worth £7,500 but it is 90% government funded so small businesses pay just £750 per person. So pleased to share that the University of Surrey has just become accredited to deliver this and their first cohort will begin in this Autumn

Start date: October 2026
Find out more: Help to Grow: Management Course | University of Surrey

AXA Startup Angel Competition

The AXA Startup Angel Competition is inviting entries from entrepreneurs across the UK seeking support to develop new or early stage businesses. The contest provides financial awards and mentoring to help applicants progress their ideas or existing ventures.

In 2026, six awards are available. Two winners will each receive £25,000 to support their business or concept. In addition, they will be offered mentoring from AXA Startup Angels. Four runners up will receive non-financial support. This includes a 30-minute mentoring session with a representative of The Standard in a relevant business area. They will also be featured in The Standard’s print and online channels.

Applicants must be aged 18 or over and based in the UK. Eligible businesses may be unregistered, actively trading or trading for fewer than 24 months. Businesses must employ fewer than 10 people and present an original concept. The awards are intended to support business development activities, including refining ideas and accessing professional advice.

Closing date: 21 June 2026 (23:59)
Find out more: AXA Startup Angel Competition Full Terms & Conditions | The Standard

The Nation’s Favourite Businesses 2026

Small Business Britain is once again highlighting the Nation’s Favourite Businesses, leading up to Small Business Saturday 2026 on 5 December.

For the last fourteen years, the Nation’s Favourite Businesses have not only received exposure on Small Business Saturday’s social media channels and in the local and national press, but also joined the Small Business Saturday team in London at receptions in Downing Street, House of Lords and the Treasury Drum with the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

To apply you will need to tell your business story, outline your challenges, successes and future plans and why they’re special. Businesses will also be asked about how they are sustainable, inclusive and accessible and what part they play in their local communities.

Those selected to take part in the campaign will be spotlighted throughout the Small Business Saturday UK campaign. To showcase the successful businesses Small Business Saturday UK will work with each of them to find appropriate opportunities, this could include:

Social media posts, filmed case studies and press and PR opportunities at national and local level
Visits and interviews as part of the nationwide Tour 2026
An exclusive makeover on Small Business Saturday UK day for select businesses
Access to expert mentoring

Closing date: 30 June 2026
Find out more: Small Business Saturday UK | Another year making a Big Difference!

Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP)

Arts Council England is inviting applications to its Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) grant for independent creative practitioners.

DYCP aims to create more pathways for individuals from a range of creative practices and backgrounds and to provide time and space for research and development. Applicants can apply for between £2,000 and £12,000 to take a dedicated period of time to focus on their own creative development. Supported activity can last up to one year.

The award supports work across combined arts, dance, digital arts, libraries, literature, music, museums and collections, theatre and visual arts.

Individuals may apply, as well as small groups of practitioners who usually collaborate, such as artists who create work together or writers and their translators. Eligible costs can include building networks, experimenting with new collaborators, international travel to explore other practice or work with mentors, professional development such as training, research and development time and practical steps to support more sustainable work.

Closing date: 2 July 2026 (12:00)
Find out more: Homepage

All About Business Entrepreneurs Fund

Reed Recruitment has opened applications for the All About Business Entrepreneurs Fund, aimed at helping young people (aged 18-26) develop and grow small businesses. The fund is designed for entrepreneurs and will provide a mix of grant support, expert mentoring and promotional exposure. The wider aim is to back early-stage founders with established ideas and help them expand their ventures while developing business skills.

Across the UK, Reed plans to support 66 young entrepreneurs over the coming years, reflecting 66 years of company operations. In the first year, the fund will support at least three entrepreneurs, each receiving £20,000.

The money is intended for direct investment in a business to support scaling activity, address operational challenges and support growth. In addition to the grant, recipients will be offered structured support including mentoring from experienced business leaders and a national platform to showcase their business.

Closing date: 7 July 2026

Find out more: Stop dreaming. Start building. Get a £20,000 boost to grow your startup for young entrepreneurs | Reed

Sales Growth Programme

The Sales Growth Programme, delivered in partnership with Form, is designed for founders who want to build a structured, repeatable approach to selling. You’ll gain the clarity, confidence and sales rhythm needed to turn your target clients into paying customers.

This programme could help you if you have a product or service in market and are focusing on building consistent, scalable revenue.

Early market traction is exciting. But as you grow, sales get harder. Does this sound familiar?
Wins are taking longer
Founder-led selling has become a bottleneck
Procurement is slowing things down
Your pipeline feels unpredictable

Closing date: 12 July 2026

Find out more: Barclays Sales Growth Programme | Barclays Eagle Labs

Women TechEU

Women TechEU, a two-year project supported by the European Union, has opened the Eligibility Strand for its latest Call. The project will distribute a total of €12 million in non-diluting finance over its lifetime. The scheme is intended to support women leading deep tech start-ups by providing financial support and business development assistance to help companies develop and grow.

Women TechEU is focused on deep tech, with activity spanning sectors including life sciences, computing, food and agriculture technology, aerospace, energy and clean technology, industrial innovations, telecommunications, new materials and chemistry.

The grant can be used to support business development and growth, including work on a business plan and growth strategy, business model validation, updating a financial plan, certifications and an IP strategy.

Support includes grants of €75,000. Successful applicants also receive a personalised business development programme, which includes mentoring, coaching and training.

The current Women TechEU 2 EIC Call uses a two-stage application process. Applicants must first complete the Eligibility Strand, which checks whether they meet participation requirements. Eligible applicants are then invited to submit a Full Proposal.

There will be weekly cut-offs every Tuesday at 17:00 (Brussels time) until 13 July 2027.

Find out more: Women TechEU

KPMG Black Entrepreneurs’ Awards

Applications have opened for the 2026 KPMG Black Entrepreneurs’ Awards (BEA), a UK-based award supporting entrepreneurs of Black heritage through cash prizes, professional development and increased visibility. Support includes expert-led skills workshops covering leadership, strategic growth, negotiation and fundraising. Winners will also receive publicity through KPMG’s PR channels.

Four winners will each receive a £25,000 cash prize. The money can be invested into the business or donated to a charity or community project of their choice. Successful applicants will also join a 12-month programme and be matched with a dedicated senior KPMG professional providing mentoring and coaching.

The awards are open to UK-based entrepreneurs from a Black heritage background who are aged 18 or over and resident in the UK. Applicants must own a registered UK company with a viable product or service and the business must have been actively operating for at least three months. Businesses must not be majority owned by a large corporate entity.

Closing date: 17 July 2026

Find out more: Black Entrepreneurs’ Awards | KPMG UK

CoSTAR Live Lab Call: Intelligent Venues

CoSTAR Live Lab has launched a call for creative R&D projects focused on the live performance sector, under its Intelligent Venues theme.

Supported work should address technologies, workflows or design approaches that enable venues to sense, adapt and respond in real time, with eligible costs including staff time, hardware and software development, materials, testing, travel and subsistence and third-party sub-contracting of performers or related resources.

Projects selected through the competition can access up to 20 days of on-site development time at CoSTAR Live Lab. This includes technical onboarding and use of R&D facilities such as immersive stages, motion capture, spatial audio and XR environments. Support is also expected from CoSTAR Live Lab technical and research teams, alongside access to industry and academic expertise and an option to participate in a public showcase to present outcomes and commercial potential.

The call will support between two and five projects from a total grant budget of £100,000. Awards are expected to range between £20,000 and £50,000. Applications are invited from consortia led by a UK-based company, including creative technology firms, live events producers, hardware or software developers and performance innovators.

Closing date: 21 July 2026
Find out more: CoSTAR Live Lab: Intelligent Venues | CoSTAR Network

Barclays Eagle Labs Scaleup Programme

Starting in September the Scaleup programme is designed for high-growth UK tech companies ready to tackle the challenges of scaling. Built around the real-life challenges that fast-growth companies face. Over four months, you will explore four key pillars of scaling:

Leadership, people and operational foundations
Scaling commercial performance
Customer value, retention and expansion
Funding Strategy and capital planning.

You’d benefit most if you:

Run a UK-based tech business
Have raised or are generating £2M+
Employ at least 10 people
Have big ambitions and are ready for rapid growth.

Closing date: 27 July 2026

Find out more: Scaleup Programme | Barclays Eagle Labs

London Stock Exchange Group – Female Founder Showcase

The London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) are bringing back their Female Founder Showcase this September – and they want to see more brilliant women-led UK businesses on that stage. If you are tech or tech-enabled business embarking on a Seed or Series A round, this is your opportunity to pitch to a brilliant VC panel and an audience of investors looking for companies like yours on 10 September at the London Stock Exchange.

Closing date: 31 July 2026
Apply here: Female Founders Forum 2026 – Company pitch application

Heat Pump Investment Accelerator Competition

The second round of the Heat Pump Investment Accelerator Competition has opened to support further investment in the UK heat pump manufacturing supply chain. The initiative aims to strengthen domestic production, support the transition to low carbon heating and contribute to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Up to £90 million has been allocated across the competition, with individual projects able to receive grants of up to £30 million. The funding is intended for capital expenditure linked to large scale manufacturing developments. Support is available for the construction of new factories or the expansion, refurbishment, retooling or reworking of existing sites. Projects must focus on the production of heat pumps or key components, including heat exchangers, compressors, evaporators, control systems and thermal storage.

The competition is open to UK registered manufacturing businesses, as well as industrial and engineering firms investing in production capacity. All supported projects must take place within the UK.

Applicants must be private sector organisations, either applying individually or as part of a consortium led by a private sector business. Projects must demonstrate innovation not yet commercially available in the UK and, where relevant, achieve a seasonal performance factor of at least 3.5 in real-world domestic settings.

Closing date: 5 August 2026 (15:00)
Find out more: Heat Pump Investment Accelerator Competition: round 2 – GOV.UK

Innovators’ Seed Corn Fund

The Garden Industry Manufacturers’ Association (GIMA), in partnership with Glee, has opened its Innovators’ Seed Corn Fund to support new entrants developing products for the UK gardening market.

The annual scheme is intended to help bring innovative, never before seen items to market and to assist inventors and early-stage businesses in navigating the sector.

The scheme is open to inventors, small businesses and start-up businesses in the UK that have not previously exhibited at Glee (billed as the UK’s leading garden retail trade show). Products must be developed to a sufficient stage to be suitable and ready for market.

It offers a combined grant and in-kind support package valued at up to £6,000. Support includes free exhibition space at Glee (September 26), alongside assistance with design, development, consultancy, manufacturing or marketing costs. Successful applicants will also receive a free half-page advert in the GIMA New Product Digest publication, free GIMA membership for 12 months and one year of ACID (Anti Copying In Design) membership. Winning entries are announced at the annual Glee trade show, which attracts garden industry buyers and decision makers.

Closing date: 21 August 2026
Find out more: Innovators Seed Corn Fund – GIMA

STFC Public Engagement Spark Awards 2026A

UK-based organisations can apply for grants through the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) Public Engagement Spark Awards 2026A, which support projects designed to engage the public with science, technology and research connected to STFC-funded work.

The awards are intended to back public engagement activities that highlight the achievements and value of STFC-supported science, technology, engineering and mathematics research in the UK.

Grants of between £5,000 and £20,000 are available, with projects expected to run for 12 to 36 months.

Each application must include an SME in an STFC funded remit area, included as the project lead, a UK project co-lead or a specialist, to support the accuracy and relevance of scientific content.

Closing date: 25 August 2026 (16:00)
Find out more: Public Engagement Spark Awards 2026A (Grant) – GOV-UK Find a grant

Unloc Young Entrepreneurs Challenge

Verizon and Unloc are accepting entries for the Unloc Young Entrepreneurs Challenge, an annual competition intended to identify young talent (aged 16 to 15) across mainland Europe.

The challenge is aimed at entrepreneurs with a technology-led idea for a new business, or those who have already started trading and are seeking support to progress development. The overall winner will receive a £10,000 grant and a mentorship package.

Support for the winning applicant includes being paired with an enterprise mentor who will develop a one-to-one plan focused on the participant’s key priorities. The prize also includes a series of masterclasses delivered by industry experts. In addition to the financial award and business support, the winner will attend the One Young World Global Summit in Tokyo. The summit brings together young leaders from more than 190 countries and over 250 organisations.

Eligible applicants can apply with a pre-start concept that is not yet trading, or with a business that has been trading for no more than three years. Existing businesses must have recorded annual turnover of less than £100,000 in their most recent financial year.

Closing date: 9 October 2026

Find out more: The Young Entrepreneurs Challenge

Business Boost Grants – Elmbridge

The business boost grants can help your business with:

Grant support up to £2,000 to help businesses improve their shop fronts or signage

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

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

Closing date: 31 March 2027

Business Advice for Mole Valley Businesses

Businesses across Mole Valley can now benefit from expert guidance provided by IncuHive, fully funded by Mole Valley District Council.

Whether you’re launching your first venture or growing an established company, IncuHive’s team of experienced advisers are on hand to offer practical, tailored support.

Closing date: 31 March 2027
Find out more: Business Advice – Mole Valley for Business

Business Support Grants – Reigate & Banstead

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

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

Closing date: 31 March 2027
Find out more: Business Support Grants | Business Support Grants | Reigate and Banstead

Business Advice – Waverley

Waverley Borough Council fund IncuHive (who are specialists in small business development) to offer free tailored support to all local businesses in the borough of Waverley, including advice onbusiness planning, funding and mentoring. All the Incuhive advisors have started and grown successful businesses, so they can provide expert advice on growing your business, covering areas such as procurement, premises, marketing, finance, bid writing, exports and investment.

Closing date: 31 March 2027
Find out more: Grow your business

Business Advice – Guildford

Guildford Borough Council fund IncuHive (who are specialists in small business development) to offer free tailored support to all local businesses in the borough of Waverley, including advice onbusiness planning, funding and mentoring. All the Incuhive advisors have started and grown successful businesses, so they can provide expert advice on growing your business, covering areas such as procurement, premises, marketing, finance, bid writing, exports and investment.

Closing date: 31 March 2027
Find out more: Guildford Borough Council

Innovate UK – Innovation Loans

Innovate UK has opened an Expression of Interest (EOI) competition for its Innovation Loans, offering repayable finance to support late-stage research and development projects with a clear route to commercialisation.

The finance is described as patient and flexible, aimed at supporting innovation where applicants may struggle to secure suitable lending from commercial providers.

Successful EOI applicants will be invited to submit a full application for an Innovation Loan. At full stage, eligible businesses can apply for between £100,000 and £5 million to support experimental development projects only.

Projects must focus on developing innovative new products, processes, services or business models that are significantly ahead of current offerings, or apply existing solutions in novel ways. Supported activities can include prototyping, demonstrating, piloting, testing and validation. Projects must align with at least one Industrial Strategy Sector: advanced manufacturing, clean energy, creative industries, defence, digital and technologies or life sciences.

Closing date: ongoing
Find out more: Competition overview – Innovation Loans Expression of Interest – Innovation Funding Service

Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme

Eligible adult social care employers in England can claim staff training costs from the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS). The LDSS is available for non-regulated care staff, including deputy and Care Quality Commission-registered managers and agency staff, within the adult social care workforce. Staff taking the training must be in qualifying roles.

Eligible ASC employers can claim funding for certain training courses and qualifications on behalf of eligible care staff. This funding is for eligible courses and qualifications that have been both paid for in financial year 2025 to 2026, as well as those paid for in financial year 2024 to 2025.

Closing date: When the fund is exhausted.
Find out more: Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme – GOV.UK

The Workplace Charging Scheme

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

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

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

All chargepoints must be installed by an OZEV authorised installer.

Closing Date: extended to 31 March 2027

Find out more: Before you start

The Life Sciences Transformational R&D Investment Fund Pilot

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

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

Closing Date: 31 March 2028 (23:59)

Find out more: Life Sciences Transformational R&D Investment Fund Pilot – GOV.UK

Surrey Hills Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) Grants

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

Closing date: Extended to March 2029

Find out more: Surrey Hills Farming in Protected Landscapes FiPL

Co-operative Enterprise Loans

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

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

Closing date: Applications can be made at any time

Find out more: Co-op Loan Fund – Unique lending: to co-ops, from co-ops

Greener Homes Alliance Development Loans

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

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