Check out the Better Business Finance finder and the Government’s comprehensive database of finance available, both good sources of support.

National Grants and Vouchers

Get a £2,500 voucher for gigabit broadband speeds

Businesses can team up together to get gigabit speeds and utilise a government voucher to part or fully fund the installation.

Find out more here >

Rural premises with broadband speeds of less than 100Mbps can use vouchers worth £1,500 per home and up to £3,500 for each small to medium-sized business (SME) to support the cost of installing new fast and reliable connections. Read more about this funding here.

Please contact the Buckinghamshire Business First Business Suppport Team on 01494 927130 for more details and to apply.

Innovate UK

This government innovation agency offers a range of grants for businesses of all sizes. These are available through competition calls. Check the website regularly for open competitions.

Since 2007 Innovate UK has invested over £1.5 billion in innovation, matched by a further £1.5 billion in partner and business funding, helping more than 5,000 innovative companies in projects estimated to add £7.5 billion to the UK economy and create 35,000 extra new jobs.

You can sign up for newsletters from Innovate UK here.

Plug-in Car and Van grants

You can get a grant towards the cost of each new electric (plug-in) car or van you buy, if it meets certain conditions.

Grants are also available to limit the costs of charging electric vehicles.

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)

The new Funding Finder that has been developed by UKRI compiles all of the available funding and grant opportunities on offer from the research councils in one location. This means that innovative businesses can quickly and effectively search for potential funding opportunities to help with their research, instead of having to investigate the funding opportunities provided by these councils separately.

R&D tax reliefs

Research and Development (R&D) tax reliefs support companies seeking to research or develop an advancement in their field (even if the project is unsuccessful). This means you can reduce your tax bill by claiming relief on things related to the research project, including staff wages, and project materials, and utilities.

You can claim R&D tax relief if you have:
•    fewer than 500 staff
•    a turnover of less than €100m or a balance sheet total less than €86m

This guide to R&D tax relief explains more about what an R&D project is, as well as how to claim tax relief for it.

Support for unemployed entrepreneurs

Although there’s no grant available, if you claim Universal Credit (UC) you may be eligible for a 12-month start-up period. This just means that your UC payments will be based on your self-employed earnings and you don’t need to look for other work. This overview of self-employed benefits explains more.

You’ll also get support from a specialist work coach who’s experienced in working with self-employed people.

Another option to consider is a Start Up Loan, which could be useful if your business is less than two years old.

The government has more information on moving from benefits to work and starting your own business.

Women in Innovation Award

Innovate UK Women in Innovation was launched in 2016 to encourage more women to apply to Innovate UK funding opportunities. Since its inception, the programme has enabled brilliant women across the UK to fully achieve their vision for their businesses and change the world.

The Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards are open to all backgrounds, sectors, regions and innovation areas. Innovate UK want to support women who are at a critical stage with their business, where an award will enable them to take an important step forward. The funding should help you make a real difference to innovation in the UK including in and beyond your sector or innovation area.

Find out more here.