Funding is provided to either effect some change in the economy such as create more jobs, innovation, green working, etc. or to address a market failure such as a lack of social enterprises. For this reason, criteria and eligibility is often very specific and funding may often take the form of paid for advice, zero interest loans or small grants that require a match contribution from the business. If you’re unsure whether you qualify for any of the schemes below please get in touch and we’ll do our best to help.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
The business finance guide provides a comprehensive overview of the financing options available to growing businesses. Whatever the challenges faced, the right financing decisions are critical. For business owners and management, awareness of the choices available allows the business to make a well-informed financing decision.
This link takes you to a helpful tool that guides you through the various options for finance: Find the right finance for you
Search finance and support for your business, click here to go to the Government National Finance Finder Tool.
Loan Offer – £26k – £99k
0% Interest (10% Admin Fee applied)
20-30% Match-funding required
Applications are invited from start ups and established businesses in all sectors
Excluding:
Franchises
Organisations with a political or religious nature
Primary production (partial exclusion)
Criteria must include:
Growth, Innovation, Increased Productivity, Supply Chain, Contribution to Net Zero
Employment:
Job Creation – essential
To submit your Expression Of Interest
Loan Offer – £100k – £600k
0% Interest (10% Admin Fee applied)
50% Match-funding required
Applications are invited from established businesses in all sectors
Excluding:
Franchises
Organisations with a political or religious nature
Primary production (partial exclusion)
Criteria must include:
Growth, Innovation, Increased Productivity, Supply Chain, Contribution to Net Zero
Employment:
Job Creation – essential
Read the KMBF Standard loan Guidance here
To submit your Expression Of Interest
UK-registered horticultural and plant-based food and drink businesses – Take advantage of 50% funding towards research projects costing up to £60,000, with a Growing Kent & Medway Business Innovation Voucher.
Your project must focus on one or more of the following:
Horticultural food and drink supply chain grants worth between £50,000 and £150,000 will be awarded through a competitive process.
With an emphasis on industrial prototyping and demonstration, the competition focuses on:
Your proposal must focus on innovative technology development and:
And to positively impact on the economy of the Kent and Medway (K&M) area.
Tell me moreRural businesses and communities can apply to the West Kent Rural Grants scheme (funded by the Government’s Rural England Prosperity fund) for funding to support jobs, communities and economic growth.
Grants of £2,000 to £24,999 are available for the 2024/25 financial year.
The funding is for capital projects and match funding is required. Other terms and conditions apply.
Tell me moreGrants ranging from £3,000 to £10,000 are available (and up to £30,000 in exceptional circumstances) to support rural businesses to:
Provides support to landlords or tenants to make improvements to their business premises and attract investment into Ashford Town Centre.
Tell me more
The Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) supports access to finance for UK businesses as they recover and grow following the Covid-19 pandemic for Kent businesses (Medway businesses are not currently supported by this Scheme).
RLS facilities can be used for business purposes, including:
It is designed to support businesses that can afford to take out additional finance for these purposes.
Tell me moreGrants of up to £10,000 may be available to your business (up to £25,000 in exceptional circumstances) to help small businesses to save carbon, become more energy efficient and, in turn, to save the business money.
Who can apply for a Grant?
Small businesses (up to 50 employees) are eligible to apply for a Green Business Grant if:
Start or grow your own business
To apply: Applying for a Start Up Loan – Start Up (startuploans.co.uk)
Tell me more
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