ACROSS THE UK

Find startup support where you are

Look beyond national programmes and find the official starting points for business funding across the four UK nations.

Search by the place you operate

A national search is a useful start, but local support can be easier to miss. Search by the location where your business operates and where the funded work would happen.

Some programmes are delivered by councils, regional agencies or universities. Check both the geography and the organisation delivering the support.

England: start with official business support

GOV.UK’s business finance and support finder includes national and local opportunities. Use its location and support-type filters, then follow the provider’s current guidance.

Local awards may be tied to business premises, job creation or a specific project. A listing is a lead to investigate, not a promise that a fund is still accepting applications.

Scotland: check enterprise agency coverage

Scottish Enterprise provides a starting point for businesses in its area. Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise cover other parts of Scotland.

The right contact depends on your business and project location. Some R&D programmes target substantial commercial projects, so check the scale before preparing an enquiry.

Wales and Northern Ireland

Business Wales is an official starting point for advice and finance information in Wales. Invest Northern Ireland publishes support programmes and application calls for Northern Ireland businesses.

Calls can open and close on specific dates. For example, a previous innovation voucher round may remain useful for planning even after its deadline. Check the live provider page before doing application work.

Useful official sources

General information, not individual financial advice. Check the current official guidance for any programme you are considering.

Put it into practice. Explore funding →