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Introduction
According to a 2026 survey from PwC, 84% of business security and finance professionals expect their cybersecurity spending to increase over the next 12 months, this is up from 78% last year. A total of 58% have cited AI as their top cyber budgeting priority. This includes deploying autonomous AI agents to support security teams, in order to help prevent threats from bad faith AI-powered attacks.
What are The Main Types of AI Enabled Attacks Security Professionals Are Least Prepared For
- 53% are unprepared for a security breach caused by autonomous botnets
- 52% are not prepared for adversarial attacks, which is deliberately manipulating or tricking an AI agent
- 52% are concerned they’d not be ready for instances of data poisoning, which involved injecting negative data into an AI model to create a loophole into circumventing a system
In Terms Of Other Cybersecurity Budgeting Areas
- 54% plan to spend money on adopting multi-cloud or hybrid cloud security solutions
- 47% are planning on investing in strengthening regional data and tech redundancy security
- 37% are looking to localise tech infrastructure within specific operational jurisdictions in order to reduce security concentration risk across their value chain
Businesses looking to invest in capital equipment or 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) Invest To Grow
The University of Derby is running a programme that provides funding towards the cost of investments to create long term sustainable job and business growth. Eligible sectors include Manufacturing, Biotechnology, Construction, Creative, Environment, Food and Transport. Capital costs include those for the purchase of plant and machinery and equipment. Funding up to £250,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
ii) Growing Places Fund
Hull and East Yorkshire Business Growth Skills Hub is providing grants to support businesses to invest in infrastructure, technology, and other capital projects that will stimulate growth and create jobs. Eligible capital costs include IT equipment, office equipment and furniture, plant, equipment and machinery. Funding up to £250,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iii) Business Growth Grant
Swansea Council is running a scheme that aims to support businesses to grow through the introduction of a new product or service. Eligible expenditure can include, but is not limited to, equipment, IT systems and machinery. Funding up to £50,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iv) Made Smarter Adoption Programme 2026/2027 – North West
Made Smarter and Greater Manchester Combined Authority is running a scheme that aims to drive growth in manufacturing and engineering SMEs and help them boost productivity by helping them switch to advanced and automated technologies as well as improving employees’ overall digital skills. The scheme will provide funding for equipment and/or specialist advice to implement projects. Supported regions are Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Liverpool. Funding up to £20,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
v) South Lanarkshire Business Growth Grant
South Lanarkshire Council is running a scheme that aims to support established, full‑time businesses across South Lanarkshire strengthen their long‑term sustainability and drive growth. Up to £20,000 is available for capital expenditure and infrastructure improvements, including equipment and machinery.
Application Deadline: 31st March 2027
vi) Oldham Council Innovation Grant
Oldham Council is providing capital funding to support business growth, encourage inward investment, and drive productivity through innovation. This grant is available to businesses operating in priority sectors including manufacturing, construction, digital and creative industries, and low carbon/green technology. Eligible costs include the purchase of new machinery or equipment linked to innovation, productivity, and job creation. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 28th February 2027
vii) Small Business Growth Grant
Wyre Council is running a scheme that will support business growth projects including, but not limited to, investment in plant, equipment or machinery, improvement or adaptation of business premises, training and marketing costs. Funding up to £5,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
viii) Bulwell Business Growth Grant
Nottingham City Council is providing grants to support businesses to grow and improve their productivity. Examples of eligible projects include research and development, digital marketing costs and the purchase of machinery that creates a ‘step change’ in commercial operations. Funding up to £5,000 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.