Here's our latest roundup of the grants and funds for businesses that are still available.
If you’re an entrepreneur trying to solve a social issue, Grow It is the fund for you. They offer £15,000 to individuals who have identified a social issue and have a business model which intends to solve it. If you’re committed to working full time and and have a track record of delivering social impact, and your venture is more than one year old but less than five years old, you may be eligible for funding and business support which includes one-to-one coaching.
Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme
Is your broadband struggling to keep up with your business? Get some vouchers with the Gigabit voucher scheme, and you can use them to contribute to ‘the installation cost of a gigabit-capable connection. Businesses can claim up to £2,500 against the cost of connection either individually or as part of a group project. Residents can benefit from the scheme with a voucher worth £500 as part of a group project.’
The Yapp Charitable Trust makes grants to cover running costs and salaries for charities in England and Wales. They offer grants to registered charities, for work which focuses on one of their priority groups; elderly people, young people aged 5-25, people with physical impairments or disabilities, learning difficulties or mental health difficulties, social welfare and education and learning. They also prioritise, ‘work that is unattractive to the general public or unpopular with other funders’. You can download an application form from their website.
Tired of waiting to win the lottery to make your dreams come true? If you’re a voluntary or community organisation and you’re looking for £300-£10,000, you can put in an application to the National Lottery Awards. You need to be based in the UK, and your fund needs to ‘strengthen communities’ and ‘help people reach their full potential’.
Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP)
The Manufacturing Growth Programme offers capital grants for small scale purchases up to £25,000, thanks to the European Regional Development Fund. Your business must be an SME, a manufacturer, and you must be located in the West Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber, the East Midlands or the South East. Check if your business is eligible online.
Scaleup North East is a programme designed for businesses wanting to grow and develop sustainably, by providing one to one support, action plans and funding. Scaleup North East offers all of this aswell as broker strategic partnerships, advice, masterclasses and workshops. If you’re based in the North East and have less than 250 employees, you can apply.
Natwest Entrepreneur Accelerator
Natwest Entrepreneur Accelerator is, ‘a six-month programme for entrepreneurs with high growth businesses who are looking to scale up.’ If you’re an established entrepreneur who wants to take your business to the next level, you can get free office space, Wi-Fi, 1:1 coaching and access to business mentors. This is a fully funded programme, and Natwest don’t take any equity in any business. You can apply online here.
PNE Sustainable Start-up award
PNE’s Sustainable Start-up award is a grant available to individuals in the North East whose ‘’businesses positively demonstrate their commitment to supporting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’’. You have to be aged between 18 and 30, and be able to demonstrate that your business idea meets at least one of the UN’s SDGs. You can apply from PNE’s website.
European Structural and Investment Funds
The European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) is a programme which ‘provides funds to help local areas grow in a smart, sustainable and inclusive way.’ You can use the gov.uk website to view projects in the North East (or further afield) which you can apply to run, and receive funding for.
The New Enterprise Allowance is a weekly allowance of up to £1,274 over 26 weeks, and is designed to help those on Universal Credit, Jobseekers Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance start their own businesses. You can also access mentoring through this scheme. To get started you’ll need to talk to your Jobcentre Plus work coach.
The R. W. Mann Trust
The R. W. Mann Trust is a charitable organisation, which gives one-off grants to organisations improving the North East. The Trust gives priority to organisations which are 'locally run and led, help people with the greatest need, involve disadvantaged and minority groups, improve the quality of life in their community, and are in the public interest'. To apply, visit their website.
Get business support with the Prince’s Trust
The Prince’s Trust is a great organisation for young people wanting to start their own businesses. If you’re between 18 and 30 and have an idea for a business, you can join the Enterprise programme. It’s a great way to get your business started, and in special circumstances there are even grants available.
BEST Energy efficiency project
The BEST Energy efficiency project is an EU funded project allowing businesses to provide 250 SMEs with a free energy audit, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. SMEs will be able to reduce their running costs, do their bit for the environment, and there are even 100 grants up for grabs to implement audit recommendations. Just complete the eligibility form to get started.
Business Compass Leadership and Management Programme
If you're a Tees Valley business you could be eligible for up to 40% funding towards, 'coaching, mentoring or knowledge transfer relating to any business discipline that will improve the capability and/or capacity of leaders or managers'. Projects should cost between £2,500 and £5,000, and you can register your interest online.
The Business Clinic at Northumbria University
The Business Clinic is an education scheme set up by Northumbria University, designed to give final year undergraduate and masters students on the ground experience working with real businesses. If you're looking for consultancy advice for your business, or you have a specific problem, The Business Clinic offers their services for free.
Free workshops with The Business Factory
The Business Factory is offering residents of North Tyneside, as well as businesses in North Tyneside a number of free workshops catering for all areas of business. Self Employment, Social Media, Finding Customers and Applying for Tenders are just a few of the workshops they're offering, ideal if you need a little extra help or advice getting your business off the ground. Check out their eventbrite for more information.
The North East Fund
This new fund is supported by the European Regional Development Fund, and will be investing £120m in 600 businesses in and around the North East. There are 5 separate funds within the North East Fund, and the majority of SMEs should be eligible for at least one of them.
Gateshead Goes Local
This fund is a local development strategy, intended to bring funding and support to people in the community who are struggling to get their business ideas off the ground. In January the fund received £2.2m to help develop businesses and startups in Gateshead. The projects funded will need to meet the criteria, but eligible businesses could receive a grant of up to £200,000.
Digital Drive County Durham
Digital Drive is ideal for businesses in County Durham who are embarking upon digital technology projects, who could be eligible for funding to cover up to 40% of their costs. This will include digital consultancy projects, equipment, broadband infrastructure and installation.
The Community Foundation
This organisation funds legally charitable work, and provides grants to groups trying to, 'keep their services or activities going, expand them or work in new areas' as well as projects which aim to, 'improve services, develop your staff and trustees or work on your longer-term plans'. The average grant is £6000, and if you're based in Tyne and Wear or Northumberland you can apply at any time.
The Hadrian Trust provide grants to charities and groups working with people or the environment in the North East. Grants provided are usually between £500 and £2000, and can be used for running costs, project costs, part salaries and basic equipment. You can apply online or by post.
Foundation for Women in Enterprise
The Foundation for Women in Enterprise provides small grants to women-led organisations, in order to support access to professional services, training and equipment. If you are successful, the foundation typically awards grants of around £250. You can apply online.
The North East Core Funding Programme comes from the Greggs Foundation, and 'makes grants to organisations in the Counties of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham and Teesside to support core running costs'. If you're a charity that supports disadvantaged people, you could get £15,000 per year for up to three years.
The University of Sunderland’s Graduate Internship Scheme
If your business is within the North East Local Enterprise Partnership area, you can receive up to £6000 when you hire a graduate. You must be a business to business SME, and work in the private sector. Email the University for more information.
Innovation Program - Read our original post here
This fund is available for businesses who have an innovative idea that will encourage business growth. SMEs must be based in the North East and be investment ready. Successful applicants will have up to 40% of their project funded, and gain access to industry experts, suppliers and independent advice.
This programme offers loans to businesses, which can be used to ''grow your business, take on new staff or manage cashflow''. Funding Circle offer loans from £5,000 - £1 million, and offer free early repayment. Just fill in the online form to see if you're eligible.
Northstar Ventures funds - Read our original post
If you are looking for investment, Northstar Ventures could be for you. They are currently running the North East Social Investment Fund, which is designed for charities and social enterprises that help improve the region. Read the guidelines for submitting a proposal here.
Knowledge Transfer Fund - Read our original post
This fund is still running and offers support when you hire a graduate. They have different deadlines for each sector, so check their website for details.
AGE 16-24 - Read our original post
If you're thinking about hiring an apprentice this fund is still available.
North East Business Support Fund - Read our original post
This fund offers up to £2800 towards your next business venture. You can apply online, and the process should only take 15 minutes. There are still dedicated offers for businesses in County Durham.
R&D Tax Credits - Read our original post
You can still claim tax relief if a project you're running aims to advance science or technology. The tax relief on allowable R&D costs is currently at 230%.
If you know about a fund, grant or investment opportunity we should be talking about, tweet us @TranscenditUK
