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.
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- Learn About Grants And Finance
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.
Local Grants & Funding
AI Upskilling Fund Pilot Grant
The aim of the Pilot Grant is to subsidise the cost of AI skills training by 50%.
Specifically, the objectives of the pilot are to:
- stimulate employer investment in AI training
- address AI skills gaps in the UK workforce that are limiting AI adoption
- measure the impact of AI upskilling on business productivity and outcomes
Medway Partners for Green Growth grant scheme
Financial support of up to £2,500 is available for Medway SMEs.
The funding is to help businesses in the:
- implementation of their decarbonisation plans
- adoption of new processes that contribute to their net-zero journey.
The grant aims to offset some of the costs associated with sustainable initiatives and allow businesses to make meaningful progress towards their environmental goals.
Tell me moreKent and Medway Business Fund - Small Business Boost
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
Kent and Medway Business Fund - Standard Loan
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
West Kent Rural Grant Scheme
Rural businesses and communities based in Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells or Tonbridge & Malling 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 moreFolkestone & Hythe Rural Funding Scheme
Grants ranging from £3,000 to £10,000 are available (and up to £30,000 in exceptional circumstances) to support rural businesses based in Folkestone & Hythe to:
- Create jobs and boost community cohesion
- Increase private sector investment in growth-enhancing activities
- Green infrastructure and to support rural tourism activity
- Creation and expansion of rural leisure and tourism businesses
- Equipment for non-farmer-owned businesses
Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS)
The Growth Guarantee Scheme provides the lender with a 70% government-backed guarantee, and is designed to support access to finance for UK smaller businesses as they look to invest and grow
Minimum facility sizes vary, starting at £1,000 for asset finance, invoice finance and asset based lending, and at £25,001 for term loans and overdrafts. Eligible funding solutions are offered for up to £2 million.
GGS supports a wide range of business finance facilities covering term loans, overdrafts, asset finance, and invoice finance (including asset based lending).
GGS is available through the British Business Bank’s accredited lenders
(Not every lender can provide each type of finance)
Start Up Loan + 12 months Mentoring
Start or grow your own business
- 18+ years old
- Pre-start or trading less than 36 months
- UK-based business
- Up to £25,000 at 6% p.a. fixed for up to 5 years
To apply: Applying for a Start Up Loan – Start Up (startuploans.co.uk)
Tell me moreGot questions? Ask Phil
Upcoming Events
- Business Bites – A Brave New World – The economic outlook, productivity, & wellbeing
- Kent And Medway Manufacturing Focus Group (KMFG)
- Business Bites – Cutting Carbon | Cutting Costs- How To Start Your SME Sustainability Journey
- Kent Construction Focus Group (KCFG)
- The Women In Business Big Show 2024
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