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Introduction
According to the Barclays Business Prosperity Index for the second quarter of 2025, 53% of SMEs surveyed intend to increase their investment spend over the next 12 months. In terms of investment area focus, 35% of businesses surveyed are looking to invest in new capital equipment to upgrade their operations, which is a comparable level to other core business areas, such as facility upgrades and expansions (37%), developing new products and services (36%) and training and upskilling of staff (34%).
However, the one area of investment that is outpacing other areas significantly is the 68% of businesses who state they plan to increase AI investment levels over the next 12 months. Over the past year small businesses have invested on average £125,250 on AI and emerging technologies, this number increases to £225,500 for medium sized businesses.
Businesses looking to invest in traditional capital equipment and ICT and technological items, including to support AI expansion can access funding in the form of grants from a number of providers in their local area including local authorities and enterprise support agencies. There are many cases where funding is backed by the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
What Are Some Of The Latest UK Purchasing Equipment Funding Opportunities Available?
i) Industrial Growth Fund
The Offshore Wind Growth Partnership is inviting proposals to expand existing or build new supply chain facilities that align with the 2024 Industrial Growth Plan (IGP) priorities. Eligible projects can include, but are not limited to, equipment acquisition and installation, pre-construction feasibility, design and planning and process digitalisation, automation and optimisation. Funding of between £300,000 and £25 million is available.
Application Deadline: 12th December 2025
ii) Grant Investment Fund
Northumberland County Council is running a scheme where micro and small businesses in rural areas can apply for capital funding to expand productive capacity or diversify into new markets or products for the areas of agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing and tourism. Eligible costs include the purchase of capital items. Funding for projects between £10,000 and £300,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iii) Agricultural Diversification and Horticulture Scheme
The Welsh Government is providing capital grants to farmers and existing horticultural producers in Wales to support the development and establishment of agricultural diversification enterprises on farms and support the development and establishment of commercial horticultural enterprises. Eligible costs include the purchase of capital equipment. Funding up to £100,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 5th December 2025
iv) Tourism Development Grant
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council is running a scheme that aims to support the growth and development of new and existing businesses in the hospitality and tourism sectors. Examples of eligible capital costs include machinery & equipment, factory vehicles such as forklifts, IT hardware, upgrade of existing lighting/heating systems to green options, marketing materials and internal fixtures and fittings. Funding up to £50,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
v) UKSPF 25-26 Local Business Grants
Dorset Council is providing UK Shared Prosperity Fund funding to support capital projects that improve productivity, provides business growth and leads to better employment. Eligible costs can include, but are not limited to, machinery and equipment, development growth into new product markets, new production facilities and growing in-house technology to increase productivity. Funding up to £40,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vi) Innovation Worcestershire Grant
Worcestershire County Council is providing funding towards the cost of activities directly related to the development and/or introduction to market of innovative products, technologies or services within the Bromsgrove, Malvern Hills, Redditch, Wychavon and Wyre Forest District. Eligible costs include the purchase of new tooling and equipment to help achieve innovative project goals. Funding up to £30,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vii) 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, such as bespoke software, e-commerce platforms, bespoke ICT equipment, machinery or equipment, green capital expenditure, such as renewable energy technologies/equipment, servers or cloud-based systems and custom/bespoke vehicles. Funding up to £20,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 12th December 2025
viii) City of Newport Business Grants
Newport City Council is providing funding to businesses towards the cost of purchasing up to 5 different equipment items, including plant and equipment, ICT equipment and software and website development. Funding up to £5,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis.
How To Apply For Purchasing 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 individuals and 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 Equipment Funding Opportunities?
If you want to see the full set of UK purchasing equipment funding currently available, please visit https://getbusinessgrants.com/