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Introduction
According to a 2025 StartUp Ambition report by Enterprise Nation, 47% of UK adults surveyed are considering starting a self employed business or creating a “side hustle” to monetise their skills and hobbies or bring in additional income to assist with the rise of cost of living. This entrepreneurial sentiment marks a 12% increase year on year when compared with 2024 of those interested in setting up a business.
In terms of trends, the most popular sectors for start-ups are food and drink, arts and creative, and beauty and wellbeing. It is also worth noting that a series of high ambition and high growth potential clusters of start-ups are being established around the country, including tech start-up hubs in London and Newcastle-upon-Tyne and a growing manufacturing hotspot in Liverpool.
The main barriers for entrepreneurs setting up a new venture is concern over the ability to access funding and a lack of knowledge of available business support resources available in local areas to get assistance with starting up.
Anyone looking to start a business is able to seek finance and support from a range of sources in their region, including local authorities, universities, business enterprise support agencies and sector specific accelerators. Grants, low interest loans and fully funded business training is available to cover a number of eligible start-up activities, including business planning, market research, research and development (R&D), purchasing equipment, hiring staff, securing premises, training and website development costs.
Here Is A Selection Of The Latest UK Starting A Business Grant and Support Schemes
i) Net Zero Technology Centre Support for Research and Innovation – Aid for Start ups
Net Zero Technology Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council is providing loan guarantees with a duration of up to 10 years to support start up costs for environmental technology and energy efficiency sector businesses. Funding up to £1.275 million is available.
Application Deadline: 31st December 2026
ii) Founders Factory Studio
Founders Factory has a scheme to provide capital to start-ups from around the UK with a proven innovative concept to help them launch and scale. Once successful applicants have launched and incorporated their business they will join the accelerator program. Funding up to £150,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iii) North Highland Regeneration Fund
North Highland Regeneration Ltd is providing loans for Caithness startups and SMEs to help them undertake projects that will lead to growth. Funding up to £50,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iv) Start Up Programme
The Future Smiths offers fully funded one-to-one business advice, skills training and capital grants to support start-ups in the Wiltshire Council local authority area. Funding up to £20,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 30th March 2025
v) Tech Welcome Grants
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has a scheme to encourage new technology businesses to relocate to South Yorkshire and the Sheffield area to create jobs in the region by providing funding for business premises set-up costs. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vi) Boosting Business Programme
East Staffordshire Borough Council has a scheme to support new entrepreneurs looking to make their ideas a reality as well as existing SMEs that are looking to grow and expand their business. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vii) Start-up Grants
Coventry City Council has a scheme to support the establishment of new business start-ups in the local area or relocation to the area. Funding up to £7,500 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
viii) Small Business Grant Scheme
Crawley Borough Council is providing grants for startups and smaller businesses for any reasonable business purpose. Eligible uses can include, but are not limited to, start-up costs, investment in new equipment, product development, premises fit out, marketing and advertising, creating a social media presence and specialist research, consultancy, and training. Funding up to £4,000 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 businesses and prospective entrepreneurs 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 More UK Starting A Business Funding Opportunities?
If you want to see the full set of UK starting a business funding and support currently available, please visit https://getbusinessgrants.com/