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Small Business Grants | Business Grants UK | Fleximize - Fleximize

Small Business Grant Funding

Your essential guide to finding small business grants in the UK

Are you just launching or looking to expand your business? Either way, you’ll likely need to acquire funding at some stage – whether for marketing, product development, hiring employees, or upgrading equipment. Providing you’re eligible, a business grant could be a highly attractive source of finance for scaling your enterprise.

Grants are very popular among startups and small businesses because, unlike other funding options, there's no need to repay the money or give up company shares. However, this does mean that grant funding is very competitive, and putting together a successful bid takes a lot of preparation.

It’s easy to feel bewildered by the range and availability of small business grants in the UK as the funding landscape is in constant flux. Read our handy guide to small business grants, as well as other SME funding solutions available in the UK, to make your search for finance easier.

What are business grants?

Business grants are sums of money awarded to companies to help them grow. These schemes can operate at a national or local level, and are typically backed by the government, local authorities, charities, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), and other funders.

Many small business grants support specific economic needs, including technological innovation, employment, and climate change. Others are targeted at particular industries such as agriculture, design, or manufacturing. Most funders give money to support individual projects, either in one go or at project milestones.

Small business grants: Pros and cons

Small business grant funding could help you fulfil your business’ potential, but there's plenty to consider before applying. While each scheme has its own merits, we've weighed up the pros and cons of grant funding.

The pros of business grants

1. No payback
Small business grants are often the best option for business owners who need finance but want to avoid managing repayments or giving up control to investors. They're also an alternative to borrowing from loved ones – a potential minefield for personal relationships.

2. Variety
Whether from the government or other companies, there's a wide range of grants available to small businesses. Given the vast number of schemes out there, each targeting different industries and business types, it's likely you'll find one that's right for you.

3. Additional support
Many grant providers extend their support beyond funding, offering benefits such as one-to-one business mentoring services, investment readiness support, and networking opportunities with industry partners.

The cons of business grants

1. Part-funding
Most grants will only pay for a portion of your project. Awarding bodies usually match-fund, meaning you’ll need to cover the rest of the costs to be eligible.

2. Complicated processes
Applications for business grants often involve complex processes, multiple stages, and a substantial amount of paperwork. Each provider will have its own eligibility criteria, which can be very narrow if aimed towards a certain niche, so you’ll need to research your options carefully.

3. Competitive
Grant funding can be extremely competitive, and you could have to fend off many rival businesses applying for the same pot of money. Submitting a strong application requires a lot of time and preparation, which isn’t always feasible for small business owners.

Types of small business grants in the UK

Securing a business grant can be confusing for SME owners as there are many avenues to explore before making a decision. Below is an overview of the types of grants available for small businesses to help you discover a scheme that matches your needs.

National small business grant funds

Regional grants

You could also access grant funding at a regional or local level. This may be a grant offered by a town council to encourage businesses to establish offices or factories in their area. Other regional grants are designed to promote the development of specific industries.

Business grants for young entrepreneurs

The following schemes offer financial assistance to the UK's rising stars:

Business grants by country

How to find small business grant funding

Online tools can help you sift through the thousands of small business grants out there. The websites below let you filter searches by business phase, size, industry, and location.

Being part of accelerator programmes and business incubators can also open doors to small business grants in your field. Business networks can be sources for news of exciting opportunities, so stay plugged in.

Tips on winning business grants

Small business grant schemes can be tricky to apply for, with most receiving a high volume of interest from candidates. Understanding how these programs work and what the assessors are looking for will give you an edge over competitors.

Here are some useful tips on landing a small business grant.

Looking For Funding? Let's Talk.
Looking For Funding? Let's Talk.

If you want to know more about how we can support your business, give our friendly team a call and you'll get straight through to someone who can help, like Sarah. Or, if you're ready to apply, get started by clicking the button below.

Affordable alternatives to business grants for small businesses

Technology has given rise to alternative forms of finance and created greater choice for business owners. If you’ve not had much luck with business grants or traditional bank loans, an alternative lender like Fleximize could provide the solution to your funding requirements.

You can find out more about our Flexiloan and Flexiloan Lite products on our business loans page, but here’s a quick summary of Fleximize’s key features:

Unlike with small business grants, there are no complex or drawn-out processes when applying for a loan with Fleximize. Our easy online form takes just a few minutes to complete, and you could receive your funds the same day if we approve your application. Plus, as our flexible loan products can be used for almost any purpose, you're not restricted to investing your funds in a specific area of your business.

Check if you’re eligible for our flexible business finance

Our loan criteria are open to businesses of all shapes and sizes. However, there are a few basic requirements we look for when assessing applications. These include:

We assess every business individually, and your credit history won’t be the only factor we consider. This means that even if you’re a relatively young company looking for finance, Fleximize could provide the capital boost you need to expand. Providing you've traded for at least six months, you're more than welcome to apply.

Why choose Fleximize?

We’ve helped thousands of small businesses in the UK get the funding they need. Here’s what you can expect when you apply for a small business loan with Fleximize:

Apply for funding with Fleximize

Ready to apply for a flexible, fuss-free alternative to business grants? To get started, simply fill in our short online application form with some basic details about you and your business. If you pass our initial checks, one of our relationship managers will get in touch to guide you through the rest of the funding process.

To learn more about how our loans can be used alongside, or instead of, a business grant, read through our FAQs or give a member of our team a call on 020 7100 0110.