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Introduction
According to a report from Startups.co.uk on SME Statistics for 2025 that looks into key start-up sector trends, a total of 89,515 new business ventures were formed in the UK in Q1 2025. These official statistics taken from the Office for National Statistics represents an increase of 2.8% in new business start-ups when compared with the same time period in 2024.
The main sector to see a strong resurgence in start-up activity was retail, which saw a 9.1% year-on-year increase in new businesses in Q1 2025. This recovery has been welcomed within the sector after years of economic difficulty due to various issues, such as the after effects of Covid-19 restrictions, high cost of doing business and increasing wage costs due to inflation.
The sector which saw the next largest increase in start-up activity was administrative and support services with a 3.3% year on year increase in Q1 2025. This area includes functions such as call centres, cleaning services and office administration. The increase in demand for these types of services is part of a growing trend for businesses that want to outsource non-core functions to specialised providers.
Start-ups and individuals looking to set-up a new business can access financial support, such as grants and support in the form of expert advice, training and consultancy. Those seeking additional help before they get started and during their first 12 months in operation can access grants and support in their local area from providers such as councils, universities and enterprise support organisations.
What Are Some Of The Latest UK Starting a Business Funding Opportunities Available?
i) Young Entrepreneur Fund
Simply Business is running a scheme that aims to support 18-30 year olds looking to start their own business, alongside 6 weeks of tailored start-up support. Funding up to £5,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 9th October 2025
ii) Edeal Funded Support – Start-up Support
Eastbourne Borough Council and Wealden District Council in conjunction with Edeal are providing fully-funded support, including workshops, 1-2-1 mentoring and social media training, to support entrepreneurs looking to start their own business in the local area. Participants will also have the chance to participate in a dragons den pitch event to secure a cash grant of up to £2,500.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iii) Business Start-Up Grant
Gedling Borough Council is running a scheme to support individuals looking to start a business in the local area. The grant can be used towards start-up costs including the purchase of machinery and equipment, shop fittings and refurbishment, business stationery and marketing costs such as advertising and web design. Funding up to £2,500 is available.
Application Deadline: 1st December 2025
iv) Derby UKSPF Accelerator
Derby City Council is running a UK Shared Prosperity Fund backed scheme that provides growth vouchers of up to £2,000 towards specialist or sector-specific training or consultancy advice for starting up a business. There is also additional grant funding of up to £2,499 towards business start-up costs.
Application Deadline: 31st March 2026
v) Young Person’s Start-up Grant
The Welsh Government as part of Big Ideas Wales is providing funding and support to young people who are unemployed, not in education or training to start a new business. The package of support includes one-to-one advice, webinars to build confidence in business practices and develop plans for starting a business. Funding up to £2,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 31st March 2026
vi) New Business Start-up Grant – Commercial Premises
Inverclyde Council is providing funding to support new businesses that are starting to trade from commercial premises in the local area. These grants can be used for costs including the purchase of capital equipment, fixtures and fittings, working capital and other start-up costs. Funding up to £2,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vii) East Ayrshire Start-up Grant and Support
East Ayrshire Council is running a scheme to help businesses within the first 12 months of trading with their initial business ambitions. The support available includes business advice, workshops and events, a research and information service and funding support. Funding up to £1,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
viii) HeadStart
Nottingham Trent University and Enterprising Ashfield is running a programme that aims to equip entrepreneurs in the local area with the skills and knowledge to establish, sustain and grow their own business. Seed funding is available to help individuals establish their venture. Funding up to £1,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
How To Apply For Starting a Business 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 individuals and businesses can speak to start-up 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 Starting a Business Funding Opportunities?
If you want to see the full set of UK starting a business funding currently available, please visit https://getbusinessgrants.com/