We are often sent information about business support programmes, grants and competitions. We have collated them here for easy access. Information correct at the time of writing, please always check the relevant website for more information and application process. For specific coronavirus funding information go here.
London Business Hub’s COVID-19 Recovery grant applications will open on the London Business Hub website on Friday, 16th October at 10.30am. Funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), eligible SMEs can access grants of between £1,000 – £5,000 to help SMEs adversely impacted by COVID-19 to adapt and diversify.
Watch the COVID-19 Recovery Grants webinar recording which covers in more detail the grants criteria, the application process and Q&As.
The first round of applications to the Discretionary Grants Fund has been completed. Applicants have been notified of the outcome of their application. The second round of applications to the Discretionary Grants Fund is now open.
Please read all the information on this page before starting your application or deciding you are not eligible to apply.
Innovating for Growth is an initiative provided by the British Library’s Business & IP Centre, supporting London-based SMEs that have proven sales and plans for growth. The programme offers customised support from business experts and professionals. It can help businesses to grow into a new market, launch a new product or implement a new process.
A package of advice and support worth £10,000 is available for each business the initiative supports. Those who are successful will get tailored advice on:
– Developing a growth strategy.
– Refining a business model.
– Product and service innovation.
– Creating a marketing strategy and building a brand.
– Maximising intellectual property.
– Business and market intelligence.
– Financial planning for growth.
The scheme is open to innovative London-based small and medium-sized businesses that have clear plans for growth. Businesses must be trading in a London Borough with a turnover of £100,000 or more. Applications close on Wednesday 9 September 2020 (12:00 BST).
As part of Salesforce’s commitment to small businesses and giving back to the community, Salesforce is partnering with Enterprise Nation to offer eligible small businesses the opportunity to receive a £5,000 grant to help them through the COVID-19 outbreak.
To be eligible to apply, companies must:
-Be registered at Companies House
-Been established for at least 12 months
-Have not received any other cash grant during 2020 in relation to COVID-19 from any Government
-Be based in the UK with a British bank account
-Have between 2 to 50 employees
The new BAME Infrastructure Support Fund is being made available by the UK Community Foundations (UKCF) to support Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups who have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis. This fund seeks to support BAME-led organisations that can, in turn, help other BAME groups and organisations to access their local Community Foundation and secure National Emergencies Trust (NET) funds from them.
Who can apply? BAME-led organisations can apply. This includes a range of not-for-profit organisations such as registered charities, faith groups which are exempted from charity registration, and uniformed groups. For the purposes of this fund, a BAME-led organisation is defined under the following terms issued by the Race Equalities Funders Alliance:
Grant amount: Grants of between £5,000 and £20,000 over a maximum of three months are available. Up to 20% of core costs can be funded.
THE HUNT IS STILL ON FOR THE BEST STUDENT AND GRADUATE BUSINESS IDEAS!
Are you a current college or university student or did you graduate after 2015? Are you running a business? Or do you have a business idea that could be the next BIG thing? Then the Tata Varsity Pitch 2020, powered by NACUE is for you! Win £15,000, a national title and more opportunities to excel your business than you can shake a stick at!
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are for outstanding achievement by UK businesses in the categories of:
-innovation
-international trade
-sustainable development
-promoting opportunity through social mobility
Submit your application by midday on 9 September 2020
Business loans for companies that can’t get funding from banks and other mainstream providers. Growing, successful and profitable businesses that have been trading for 12 months or more. From £3,000 to £100,000.
Start Up Step Up London is an innovative LEAP Growth Hub/ESF programme designed to help Londoners access entrepreneurship and improve their enterprise skills at this critical time for our economy.
Delivered by visionnaires part of Capital City College Group with partners across London, participants will benefit from visionnaires groundbreaking start-up programme, targeted skills training and one-to-one coaching & mentoring.
The Mayor’s £1m Back to Business Fund will offer up to £5,000 in match funding to small and independent businesses through the Pay It Forward London crowdfunding platform.
