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Introduction
A new report from Natwest called Future Fit 2025 has identified the top areas in which SMEs are encouraged to invest in to unlock growth and resilience in an increasingly competitive and complex UK business landscape. The report carried out in-depth research with 1,000 senior business executives to help identify the behaviours and strategies of high-performing UK companies.
i) Innovation for Data-Driven Decision Making
92% of businesses surveyed stated that they plan to invest in cutting edge smart technology to give them access to data-driven insights for decision making. Businesses can then collect, manage and analyse real-time data in order to understand their own performance alongside that of their competitors to help them make smart decisions for forward planning.
ii) Sustainability Improvements
68% of businesses surveyed link sustainability improvements in their organisations with gaining a competitive advantage. Investments in energy efficient equipment and other equipment relating to sustainability initiatives can help reduce overall operating costs.
iii) Supply Chain Initiatives
53% of businesses reported that they plan to invest in technology and equipment to optimise their supply chain operations. With real time monitoring of supply chain activities in place businesses can reliably collaborate with their suppliers for key decision making to mitigate risks, deal with unexpected changes in the market and to drive down costs.
iv) Talent and Skills
48% of businesses have plans to invest in recruitment and training based innovation to help them map the skills they require within their organisation to foster future growth and how to obtain the relevant talent to achieve these goals.
Businesses looking to purchase capital equipment and technology for business growth can access grant funding to receive finance towards some of the total costs. The UK Government launched in the Spring its latest round of funding for 2025-2026 for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and includes grants businesses can apply for from their local councils. Allowable expenses include capital expenditure against equipment and the latest ICT and smart technology to encourage the growth and expansion of businesses in every region of the UK.
What Are Some Of the Latest UK Purchasing Business Equipment Funding Opportunities Available?
i) Business Growth Fund
Gateshead Council alongside the North of Tyne Combined Authority and Sunderland City Council are running a scheme providing capital funding to businesses looking to expand or establish new operations. Projects must contribute to outcomes including the creation and safeguarding of jobs, improved productivity, adoption of new to firm processes and technologies and an increased amount of capital investment. The fund is backed by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and eligible costs include the purchase of capital equipment. Funding up to £300,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
ii) Invest to Grow Grants
The University of Derby is providing funding towards the cost of investments to create long term sustainable job and business growth in the East Midlands. Businesses in the manufacturing, biotechnology, construction, creative, environmental, food and transport sectors are invited to apply. Eligible costs include plant and machinery costs, equipment costs and product development costs. Funding up to £250,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iii) West Northamptonshire Rural Business Grant
Ngage Solutions alongside West Northamptonshire Council is providing funding to support capital projects, including net zero infrastructure for rural businesses and diversification of farm businesses outside of agriculture. Eligible funding includes the purchase of equipment supporting farm diversification, tourism initiatives, food and drink processing, forestry and other rural enterprise projects. The scheme is backed by the Rural England Prosperity Fund. Funding up to £75,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 31st March 2026
iv) Young Business Capital Grant
Highlands and Islands Enterprise is providing a fund that aims to drive an increase in productivity, innovation and employment in the region through capital investment in businesses who have been trading for less than five years. Investment in new technology and capital equipment e.g. manufacturing equipment, machinery, tools or associated infrastructure are all part of eligible costs. Funding up to £75,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 31st March 2026
v) Business Growth Grant
Carmarthenshire County Council is providing funding available to businesses with plans to grow and/or ensure sustainability. The funding can cover costs including equipment, fixtures and fittings, IT hardware, specialist software and training. The scheme is backed by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Funding up to £50,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 30th September 2025
vi) Repurposing our High Street Grants
Cheshire East Council is providing funding to businesses or organisations that take up leases on empty commercial premises in Crewe town centre to cover the costs of improving the property or purchasing equipment to improve the retail experience. The scheme is backed by the Government Town fund. Funding up to £30,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are available on an ongoing basis
vii) Business Productivity Service
West Yorkshire Combined Authority is providing a UK Shared Prosperity Fund backed scheme that aims to identify and unlock enhanced productivity improvements in businesses through advisory support. Funding is available to invest in new technologies and/or equipment that will accelerate productivity improvements. Regions covered include Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield and York. Funding up to £25,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are available on an ongoing basis
viii) Made Smarter Adoption Programme – North West
Made Smarter is providing a scheme that aims to drive growth in manufacturing and engineering North West SMEs and help them boost productivity by helping them switch to advanced and automated technologies as well as improving employees’ overall digital skills. Eligible purchases include purchasing technological equipment. Regions covered include Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Liverpool District. Funding up to £20,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are available on an ongoing basis
How To Apply For Purchasing Business Equipment Schemes
Full details about how to apply for schemes and the eligibility criteria is available on each individual scheme page on the relevant website. Any deadlines, who can apply and what eligible costs the grants will cover will also be outlined on these pages. Interested businesses can speak to funding advisors based at each provider who can guide them through requirements and eligibility criteria to see if the relevant funding is a match with their needs and help them to apply. There are also application forms and other supporting guidance available on scheme pages as well.
Want To Find The Latest UK Purchasing Business Equipment Funding Opportunities?
If you want to see the full set of UK purchasing business equipment funding currently available, please visit https://getbusinessgrants.com/