I’m excited to share that the British Business Bank is expanding its geographically-focused initiatives. The South East Investment Fund is designed to support the growth of SMEs in the South East and is on course to be launched in summer 2026.
The South East Investment Fund will offer a range of commercial finance options with loans from £25,000 to £2m and equity investment of up to £5m. The fund will address regional finance gaps outside traditional hotspots by bringing targeted equity and debt finance to growing businesses and supporting innovation clusters. I’ve just signed up to their newsletter to get news of the launch as soon as it is released.
Surrey County Council has also just launched the Farming Innovation Accelerator programme to help Surrey farmers and growers drive growth, become more profitable and improve efficiency. Apply by 16 August 2026 for grants of up to £35,000 and expert support for your business.
Thank you to everyone who attended our webinar last month where we drew on insights we learnt from the funding programmes we delivered in 2025 to share our top tips on writing successful grant applications. We have received some great feedback and you can watch the recording back here.
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! #wonderwall
Renée
Farming Innovation Accelerator
The Surrey Farming Innovation Accelerator is a Surrey County Council initiative designed to help farmers and growers drive growth, become more profitable and improve efficiency. It offers eligible businesses 100% direct funding between £10,000 and £35,000.
The grant, which does not require match funding, will support digital projects designed to modernise operations, improve productivity, diversify and boost long-term resilience. You’ll also receive expert support to improve your wider business, including specialist consultancy, courses and peer-to-peer learning.
Closing date: 16 August 2026
Find out more and apply: Farming Innovation Accelerator | Business Surrey
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
S100 September Pitch Event
If you’re a UK-registered company seeking between £250K–£1.5m in investment, you may be eligible to apply to pitch at the next S100 Club pitch event in September. The S100 Club is dedicated to showcasing high-tech, high-growth ventures that are pioneering innovation and have strong commercial potential. We welcome applications from startups across sectors such as AI, deep tech, life sciences, advanced engineering, and digital platforms.
The S100 Club has an excellent reputation for successfully pairing dynamic startups with angel investors. Our investor community expects the highest standard of investment opportunities and pitches, and we work hard to maintain that quality. To ensure this, the S100 Club uses a multi-stage selection process for entrepreneurs who wish to pitch:
- Application form and one-page summary
- Pre-selection meeting with the S100 Club team
- Panel assessment
Entrepreneurs must successfully pass all three stages to be invited to pitch at an S100 Club event.
Please note that food, beverage, and clothing companies are not eligible unless there is a clear and substantial technology component integral to the business model.
Start date: 22 July 2026
Find out more: Pitch to the S100 Club Angel Investors: Empower Your Startup’s Growth – Surrey Research Park
Youth Jobs Grant
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched the Youth Jobs Grant, a payment for employers that recruit young people aged 18 to 24 who have been claiming Universal Credit and searching for work for six months or more.
The grant is expected to operate over three years and aims to support an estimated 60,000 young people. The policy focus is on young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), with youth unemployment currently running at high levels.
Employers of any size can apply, including sole traders intending to take on staff. To qualify, the claim must relate to a role filled by an eligible young person meeting the age requirement and the Universal Credit job seeking period. The payment is £3,000 per eligible hire and is planned to be made in two instalments: £1,800 paid after six weeks and £1,200 after 18 weeks, when earnings have been verified through HMRC.
Roles supported by the grant must be at least 25 hours per week and expected to last at least four months. The money should be used on costs arising from or associated with employing the eligible young person. Eligible expenditure can include wage costs, national insurance contributions, pension contributions, recruitment and administration costs linked to the hire, training and management costs.
Start date: October 2028
Find out more: Youth Jobs Grant – GOV.UK
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
Female Founders Rise Funding Accelerator
The FFR Fundraising Accelerator is an 8-week intensive programme of weekly sessions for founders who are raising or planning to raise investment in the next 3 months. It equips startups with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to fundraise successfully through virtual sessions, practical frameworks, and hands-on exercises, alongside access to investors through pitch opportunities and discussions. Upon graduation, founders are invited to join the RAISE CIRCLE for ongoing support.
Eligibility requirements: the programme is for founders who are currently raising, or planning to raise within the next three months. Participating businesses must be investable, with a pitch deck in place and, where eligible, SEIS/EIS advance assurance secured.
Closing date: 26 July 2026
Find out more: Fundraising Accelerator | Female Founders Rise
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.
ou’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
Next Wave: Breakthrough Wave 1 Competition
Innovate UK (IUK) has opened applications for its Next Wave: Breakthrough Wave 1 Competition, which is intended to support early-stage innovation at the intersection of high-growth Createch and the Industrial Strategy Frontier Industries.
The competition is designed to help projects progress innovations beyond proof of concept, with the aim of reducing investment risk and supporting long-term sector growth. Projects must focus on commercial digital platforms and services operating within one of four frontier industries: video games, advertising and marketing, film and TV or music, performing and visual arts.
Up to £10 million has been allocated for industrial research projects. Each application must have total eligible costs between £100,000 and £500,000.
Applications are open to UK-registered micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs can apply as a single applicant or lead a collaborative project. The call also welcomes cross-sector work that combines one or more of the eligible frontier industries with other creative industries sectors. Design businesses are eligible where the Createch innovation contributes to one of the four frontier industries.
Academic institutions, research and technology organisations (RTOs), charities, Community Interest Companies (CICs) and other organisations that are not profit-driven or commercially focused cannot lead projects. Academic institutions and RTOs are not eligible to apply as sole applicants.
Closing Date: 11 August 2026 (11:00)
Find out more: Competition overview – Next Wave: Breakthrough Wave 1 – Innovation Funding Service
NatWest Accelerator Pitch Competition
NatWest Bank has opened applications for the next round of the NatWest Accelerator Pitch, a UK-wide competition for business founders seeking to grow their ventures.
Applicants must submit a 60-second video explaining how grant support would help their business develop. Five finalists will be selected to attend a live final.
The next live final is scheduled to take place in Wolverhampton on 10 September 2026. The finalists will each deliver a 10-minute pitch covering their business journey, planned use of the grant and reasons they should be selected. Attendees will also take part in networking activities and may be featured in promotional video and photographic content produced by NatWest and its affiliates.
At each live event, three winners share the £100,000 prize pot through grants of £70,000 for first place, £20,000 for second and £10,000 for third. Winners have three months to spend the grant.
The contest is open to UK-based registered limited companies incorporated within the past five years that generate annual revenue of up to £1 million. Applicants must be aged 18 or over, be a UK resident and be a member of the NatWest Accelerator App Community at the time of application. It is not necessary to be a NatWest Group customer to apply.
Closing Date: 12 August 2026
Find out more: Natwest Accelerator Pitch
Emerging Maker Grant
The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust has opened a new round of its Emerging Maker Grant, offering support for early-career craftspeople based in the UK.
The grant is intended for makers who identify their practice within the field of craft and can demonstrate a strong foundation and clear commitment to developing their skills.
Emerging Maker Grants provide between £3,000 and £10,000 for essential skills training. Applicants must be UK-based and considered to be at an early stage of professional practice. The award is designed for individuals who are still building expertise and progressing towards the next stage of their career. The support can be used towards training and education. Eligible activity may include traditional college courses, vocational one-to-one training with a master craftsperson or a bespoke package of short courses.
Closing Date: 12 August 2026 (17:00)
Find out more: QEST Emerging Maker Grants
CoSTAR Emerge-AI
Emerge-AI is an accelerator programme run by CoSTAR National Lab designed to help early-stage creative tech startups & SMEs working with AI take their prototype to initial validation.
As part of the CoSTAR AI for Creativity initiative the programme gives access to world-class expertise, infrastructure, and industry connections.
The programme offers a tailored three month package of support including eight workshops with masterclasses, two mentor sessions, enhanced access to Cloud credits and £5,000 to cover costs.
Sign up for our Q&A webinar at 2pm, July 7th to meet the team and ask any questions about your application.
Closing Date: 18 August 2026
Find out more: https://www.costarnetwork.co.uk/calls/emerge-AI
Breakthrough Accelerator
Foundervine, in collaboration with Lloyds, is running the Breakthrough accelerator for 25 disabled entrepreneurs seeking to grow their businesses.
The eight-week accelerator will be delivered through a mix of virtual and in-person sessions from late September 2026. It is designed to provide expert-led support, one-to-one mentoring, business development guidance and tailored advice on finance. The cohort will also take part in interactive masterclasses and join a peer network of founders with lived experience.
Participants will have access to a £21,000 grant funding pot alongside support intended to help develop and grow their ventures. The offer includes coaching, sector-specific mentoring and guidance on accessing grants, subsidies and accessible sources of finance. The accelerator concludes with a Showcase Day, where participants can pitch their ventures to investors and other backers.
Applicants must have a UK-registered business that has been operating or trading for at least 18 months and can provide evidence of traction or revenue generation. Eligible businesses must have a turnover or raised investment of at least £70,000 and may operate in any industry. Applicants or team members should identify as disabled or neurodivergent, including physical, sensory, mental health, cognitive, or learning differences, with self-identification accepted.
Closing date: 19 August 2026
Find out more: Breakthrough with Lloyds
Spatial Audio in Virtual Production Call
CoSTAR Screen Lab has launched a call focused on the use of spatialised 3D audio as an interactive layer within virtual production environments.
The call is seeking projects that explore how sound can help performers and audiences navigate, understand and engage with complex digital visual assets. The stated aims include improving accessibility and situational awareness, and developing audio-led guidance and feedback methods for interaction during production and in live or hybrid digital experiences.
Support offered per selected project is valued at over £150,000 and combines facilities access, research expertise and cash awards. Up to two projects will receive up to £35,000 each towards delivery costs. Successful applicants can also access up to two intensive one-week development sprints at CoSTAR Screen Lab, including on-boarding and orientation to required equipment delivered by the technical team. In addition, Screen Lab staff will collaborate during the tenancy and provide up to 10 days of ad-hoc support outside sprint windows across the project duration.
Applications are open to teams across the UK, which may include companies, technologists, researchers and creative practitioners. Applicants must be from, or support, the screen and/or performance sectors. Projects may relate to XR or mixed-reality theatre and dance, virtual stages and LED volumes with live audiences, networked and browser-based performances, game-engine-driven live shows, projection-mapped and spatial computing installations or hybrid physical and virtual audience experiences.
Closing date: 19 August 2026
Find out more: CoSTAR Screen Lab: Spatial Audio in Virtual Production | CoSTAR Network
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
Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI26)
Enterprise Nation and EDF Small Business, supported by NatWest and Square, are giving out £25,000 in funding to support five small businesses ready to invest in a greener future. You need to have a physical business premises that you own/rent, employ less than 50 staff and have been trading for at least 12 months.
You need to be able to clearly outline how you’ll use the grant and/or charger to make your business more sustainable. Examples include:
- energy efficiency improvements, or upgrades to more efficient equipment
- renewable energy installations (solar panels, battery storage for example)
- an electric vehicle (EV) charger and management software
Each successful applicant will receive a £5,000 grant. Also on offer are five free dedicated workplace electric vehicle (EV) chargers, including installation, supplied via Pod – you can apply for the grant, the EV charger or both.
Closing date: 31 August 2026
Find out more: £5,000 sustainability grants for UK small businesses | Enterprise Nation
Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI26)
Farmers in England can now apply for Window 1 of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI26); a revised approach to agricultural payments designed to support family farms and environmental management. Window 1 is open to small farms (three–50 hectares of agricultural land).
The scheme is backed by £240 million for new agreements, building on more than £560 million already committed. It aims to reward practical actions such as improving soil health, maintaining water quality and creating wildlife habitats. Funding is intended to support farm resilience and food production. The approach also encourages reduced reliance on synthetic fertilisers to lower input costs and improve resilience overall.
Each business will be limited to one agreement, with an annual cap of £100,000 per agreement. The SFI management payment will not apply to new agreements, and most actions will run on three-year terms.
Window 1 is open to small farms and those without an existing Environmental Land Management revenue agreement. This window will remain open for around two months. (A second window opening in September 2026 will allow all farmers and land managers to apply.)
Closing date: End of Augustish depending on the number of applications
Find out more: Sustainable Farming Incentive: guidance for applicants and agreement holders – GOV.UK
The Great British Pitch – USA
Are you interested in pitching your great, British business to international buyers in the USA, and are you available for an epic in-person event in central London on Tuesday, 8th September?
If you are a businesses in the food & drink, consumer goods or retail sectors this is for you.
You’ll be offered the support you need to be ready to pitch, and will be joined on the day by export experts, there to offer their advice and to help get you match ready for your time to shine.
As well as having the chance to pitch your business across the world, via livestream to buyers specific to your industry niche, you’ll have chance to network with other small business owners, all keen to find exciting, new, global markets for their products and services.
Closing date: Apply now
Find out more: Great British Pitch
Epic MegaGrants Awards
Epic Games is offering financial support through its Epic MegaGrants awards, intended to support and accelerate innovation in real-time 3D creation. The awards are aimed at developers, creators, educators and toolmakers working with Unreal Engine or contributing to the broader 3D ecosystem across games, media, enterprise, education and open-source communities.
Typical grants range from $5,000 to $75,000, with some projects receiving up to $150,000. Support is intended to help teams progress active work and can be used for project costs or team-specific expenses. Eligible costs include continued development and hiring.
Applications are open to a range of creator types and project areas. Game developers are eligible where they are using Unreal Engine or transitioning to UE5 and have a working prototype or demo. Film and media creators can apply for real-time content projects for film, television, animation or live events using Unreal Engine.
Enterprise and industry applicants are eligible for Unreal Engine-based work in sectors including architecture, automotive, manufacturing, simulation, product design, advertising and VR/AR. The awards also cover education and research activity at university level, including curricula, student projects and academic research. Tool and open-source developers can apply for tools that integrate with Unreal Engine or contribute to the wider open-source 3D ecosystem, even where work is not Unreal-specific. Creators using Unreal Editor for Fortnite are also eligible where they are building and publishing in-game experiences.
Closing date: 4 September 2026 (23:59 ET)
Find out more: Epic MegaGrants | Apply for Funding for Your UE5 and UEFN Projects – Unreal Engine
Digital Twin Adoption Accelerator 2026
Digital Catapult has opened applications for its Digital Twin Adoption Accelerator Programme 2026, a nine-month initiative designed to support up to nine partnerships developing proof-of-concept digital twin solutions.
The Accelerator provides up to £100,000 in Innovate UK grant funding per successful project, alongside technical expertise, mentoring and access to specialist facilities. Support is intended to help partnerships develop and refine functional proof-of-concept solutions that address real-world adoption challenges, demonstrate feasibility and business benefits, increase technology readiness and support future deployment.
The call is open to pre-formed partnerships made up of a UK technology SME and an industry organisation seeking to adopt digital twin technologies. Either partner may act as the lead applicant. The SME must work in at least one of six enabling technology areas underpinning digital twins:
- Cyber-physical systems
- Data services
- Security and trustworthiness
- Immersive technologies and user experience
- Intelligence
- Integration and interoperability
Industry adopters must operate in one of the eligible sectors: automotive, agri-tech, maritime, aerospace including space, defence, clean energy, creative industries or life sciences. Proposed projects should focus on adoption challenges within these sectors and include plans to test and validate solutions in real-world environments.
In addition to the grant, participants will receive one-to-one mentoring throughout the nine months, support from Digital Catapult’s innovation and technology teams and input from UK Digital Twin Centre industry partners. Collaborations are also expected to establish pathways for scalability and adoption beyond the proof-of-concept stage.
Closing date: 6 September 2026 (23:59)
Find out more: Digital Twin Adoption Accelerator 2026 – Digital Catapult | Digital Catapult
Scaling Performance of Quantum Computing Hardware: CR&D Competition
Innovate UK has opened a collaborative R&D competition focused on improving the scaling performance and production readiness of quantum computing hardware device technologies.
The call supports industrial research projects addressing system development challenges in quantum hardware and associated software needed for universal fault tolerant quantum computing platforms. Applicants are expected to identify prerequisite capabilities and specifications for such systems, demonstrate the feasibility and performance of their approach for scale, programmability and application runtime and validate technologies, industrial processes and hardware solutions that close identified capability gaps.
Projects should also provide a roadmap setting out how performance and impact will be delivered. Proposals demonstrating commercially viable manufacturing and assembly processes for quantum computing hardware in the UK, and those developed with industrial partners and UK-based full stack quantum computer integrators, are encouraged.
Up to £33 million has been allocated. Each project must request total eligible grant support between £1 million and £3.5 million.
The competition is open to collaborative applications only. The lead organisation must be a UK registered business of any size or a research and technology organisation (RTO). Where an RTO leads, it must work with at least two UK registered businesses of any size. Other eligible collaborators, provided they are UK registered, may include businesses, academic institutions, charities, not for profit organisations, public sector bodies and RTOs.
Closing date: 18 September 2026 (11:00)
Find out more: Competition overview – Scaling performance of quantum computing hardware: CR&D – Innovation Funding Service
Global Pitch Competition
The Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization has opened applications for its Global Pitch Competition, an annual contest for students with business ideas or ventures.
The competition is aimed at individuals who are actively enrolled as a university or college student. Applicants can enter with an idea to start a business, an existing company with revenue, or an interest in exploring entrepreneurship.
Finalists will compete for more than $20,000 in cash awards. The first-place prize is $8,000, followed by $6,000 for second place, $4,000 for third place and $2,000 for fourth place. A People’s Choice Award, titled Collegiate Entrepreneur of the Year, will also be awarded with a prize of $600. The cash awards are intended to support student entrepreneurs as they develop and communicate their business concepts.
Entries are open to students worldwide, provided they are currently enrolled at their university or college at the time of pitching.
Closing date: 1 October 2026
Find out more: Register for the 2026 CEO Global Conference: Build What’s Next – Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization
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
The Varsity Pitch Competition
The Varsity Pitch Competition is an early-stage business pitching competition for current students and recent graduates from UK universities, colleges and further education institutions. It provides opportunities for learning, networking and raising the profile of new businesses.
Prizes include a £15,000 cash award for the Varsity Pitch Champion. Two runners-up will receive £2,500 each. Category winners will receive £1,000 each. An audience prize will also be selected on the day.
The cash prizes are intended to support development of winning business ideas. All finalists will receive ongoing support to promote their achievements on websites, CVs and social media.
The competition is open to current UK students and those who graduated in 2023 or later. Categories include Product, Home & Everyday Design; Education, Work & Society; Consumer, Commerce & Experience; Digital, Health & Deeptech; and Climate, Energy & Smart Mobility.
Closing date: 18 October 2026 (23:59)
Find out more: TATA VARSITY PITCH 2026 | Discover. Pitch. Grow. Apply Now.
UK Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme
A grant programme has opened to reimburse eligible visa application fees for UK-based scale-ups hiring international specialists and their dependants. The Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale-Ups (VFRS4SU) is is intended to reduce costs associated with overseas recruitment in the Clean Energy, Life Sciences and Digital and Technologies sectors.
Eligible businesses can apply for up to £25,000 per year. Reimbursement is capped at £5,000 per international hire and their dependants. Awards are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
The grant supports reimbursement of eligible visa fees incurred on or after 9 June 2026. Businesses must recruit through approved visa routes, including Skilled Worker, Global Talent and Scale Up visas. Applicants are also required to pass due diligence and assurance checks and hold a valid UK bank account for payments.
To be eligible, applicants must be UK-based scale-ups, defined as enterprises with average annualised growth of more than 20% in either employment or turnover over a continuous three-year period, starting from at least 10 employees at the beginning of that period.
Closing date: 1 March 2027 (23:59)
Find out more: Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups – GOV-UK Find a grant
Business Boost Grants – Elmbridge
The business boost grants can help your business with the following (all applications need at least 50% match funding and 2 quotes for each element):
- 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.
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
Find out more: Support for businesses | Elmbridge Borough Council
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.
Closing date: Applications can be made at any time
Find out more: Greener Homes Alliance | Octopus Capital
Further business support in Surrey
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.
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