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Introduction
According to the Barclays’ Q1 2026 Business Prosperity Index, UK businesses are increasing spending on cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and automation activities, with cyber, AI and cloud technology making up 44% of planned technology budgets over the next 12 months.
Around 46% of companies are concerned that their rapid adoption of other technology areas for productivity gains is increasing their exposure to enhanced security threats and 68% of businesses plan to increase cybersecurity investment over the next year. In terms of overall spend values, large companies are spending around £1.3m on digital security activity, the figure is £134,000 for SMEs and £15,000 for micro businesses.
In terms of actual productive technology investments, 52% of businesses stated that AI and automation had improved productivity, 38% were spending less time on administrative tasks, 34% were making decisions faster and 31% were able to spend more time on higher-value work.
Businesses looking to invest in capital equipment and technology can access grant funding to receive finance towards some of the overall eligible costs. Funding is typically available from UK councils, local business enterprise and sector specific support organisations.
What Are Some Of The Latest UK Purchasing Business Equipment Funding Opportunities Available?
i) Tourism Business Capital Grant
Bridgend County Borough Council is running a scheme that will support tourism and hospitality businesses in Bridgend to increase capital investment to support productivity, growth and job creation. Eligible activities can include, but are not limited to, business related capital equipment including fire safety and computer equipment. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
ii) Made Smarter East Midlands
Made Smarter, Lincolnshire County Council and East Midlands Cluster is running a scheme that aims to help manufacturers to choose and implement Industrial Digital Technologies to solve productivity and competitiveness issues. The scheme will provide funding for equipment and/or specialist advice to implement projects as well as a raft of support including fully funded Industrial Digital Technology Advice (IDTA) intensive support. Supported regions are Derby, Leicester, Nottingham and Lincolnshire. Funding up to £20,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iii) Business Growth Fund
North Lanarkshire Council is providing funding to businesses to support projects which will support the strategic, long-term sustainability and growth of their business. Eligible projects can include capital expenditure, infrastructure improvement, workforce/skills development and exhibition support. Eligible capital costs include the purchase of equipment and machinery to improve productivity, alongside fixtures and fittings. Funding up to £20,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 4th December 2026
iv) Milk Round Accelerator
Digital Dairy Chain is running an accelerator programme with grant funding that aims to support individuals and SMEs to develop technology ideas that could improve efficiency in the dairy sector, reduce its environmental impact or help it to meet net zero targets. Eligible costs include the purchase of components and third party products to carry out innovative projects and boost productivity. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
v) Pembrokeshire Growth Grant
Pembrokeshire County Council is running a fund that aims to help businesses and inward investors to grow, prosper and be sustainable, resulting in the creation and safeguarding of jobs, thereby improving the local economy. Eligible costs include the purchase of new or second hand equipment, such as plant, machinery, and specialist equipment, IT and telecom hardware and fixtures, fittings, furniture and general office equipment. Funding up to £50,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vi) Rural Business and Community Enterprise Fund
Test Valley Borough Council is running a fund seeking proposals that will improve the local economy and support businesses long-term sustainability and farm diversification projects. Businesses can apply for funding for capital projects, with eligible costs including the purchase of machinery, equipment and commercial vehicles. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vii) Vacant Commercial Property Grant Scheme
Bristol City Council is providing funding to support the cost of improvements or modifications to commercial buildings, building works, including replacement shop fronts, and new equipment to boost productivity and enhance customer experience, and shop fittings. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
viii) Cardiff Growth Fund
Invest in Cardiff is running a fund aimed at kick-starting and growing the local economy with a focus on creating a fairer, greener and prosperous future for Cardiff businesses. The fund will support businesses to relaunch, develop and grow. Eligible capital costs include the purchasing of equipment, machinery and fittings to achieve project goals. Funding up to £20,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
How To Apply For Purchasing Business Equipment Funding 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 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.