The Full List of UK Startup Grants You Can Apply for Right Now (Updated Monthly – 2026)

If you’re a startup founder in the UK, grants are one of the smartest ways to grow your business — because unlike loans or investment, grants don’t need to be repaid and you don’t give away equity.

The problem?
Most founders don’t know where to find them.
And even fewer know which ones they’re eligible for.

So here’s a simple, clear, updated list of real UK grants — with direct links — that you can apply for today.

This list will be updated monthly as new grant cycles open.

Table of Contents

1. Innovate UK Smart Grants (The UK’s Biggest Innovation Grant)

Innovate UK funds innovative products, services, and technology.

Ideal for businesses working in:

Software
AI
Robotics
Healthtech
Sustainability
Deep tech
Digital innovation

Typical funding: £100,000 – £2,000,000

📌 Official link:
👉 https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/search

(Look for “Smart Grants” or “Open Competition”.)

2. Innovate UK EDGE (Support + Growth Grant Assistance)

This isn’t a cash grant but gives founders:

Funding readiness support
Pitch development
Business coaching
Innovation experts
Access to investors and partners

Perfect for early-stage founders wanting guidance.

📌 Official link:
👉 https://www.innovateukedge.ukri.org/

3. UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) Grants

UKRI gives funding across:

Research
Science
Engineering
Climate
AI
Space
Biotechnology
Health

Funding can range from £25k to £10m+ depending on the competition.

📌 Live opportunities here:
👉 https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/

(Updated frequently — worth checking weekly.)

4. Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Grants – England Regions

Every region in England has a Growth Hub that gives small business grants.
These are often £2,000–£25,000 and are easier to get than national grants.

5. Scottish Enterprise Grants

Scotland is one of the most supportive regions for startups.

They offer funding for:

Innovation
R&D
Exporting
Digital transformation
Green initiatives

📌 Official link:
👉 https://www.scottish-enterprise.com/support-for-business

6. Business Wales Grants (Welsh Government)

Wales offers:

Startup grants
Digital grants
Green funding
Innovation support
Local authority grants

📌 Main portal:
👉 https://businesswales.gov.wales

7. Invest Northern Ireland Grants

Northern Ireland startups can access:

Innovation vouchers
R&D funding
Export support
Business growth grants

📌 Official link:
👉 https://www.investni.com/support-for-business

8. The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme (For Young Founders 18–30)

A brilliant programme offering:

Grants
Business mentoring
Workshops
Low-interest loans

Ideal for young UK entrepreneurs.

📌 Learn more:
👉 https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/help-for-young-people/support-starting-business

9. Creative UK Grants (Creative Industries)

Perfect for:

Media
Film
Content creation
Gaming
Design
Music
Publishing

Grants vary between £1,000 and £20,000+.

📌 Official link:
👉 https://www.wearecreative.uk/support/

10. Arts Council England Grants

Supports projects in:

Art
Theatre
Dance
Music
Cultural projects
Creative startups

📌 Current grants:
👉 https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding

11. British Business Bank – Finance Hub

Not grants, but grant-matching and funding help.

Also includes the popular:

Start Up Loan (£25,000 per founder)

📌 Apply: https://www.startuploans.co.uk

Finance Hub:
👉 https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/finance-hub/

12. Green Business & Sustainability Grants (UK-Wide)

If your business helps the environment, carbon reduction, or sustainability — the UK has multiple green grants.

Start with:

📌 GOV.UK Net Zero grants:
👉 https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/net-zero-and-innovation

📌 Carbon Trust Support:
👉 https://www.carbontrust.com

📌 Local council green funds (varies by region)

13. Research & Development (R&D) Tax Credits

This is NOT a traditional grant — but it’s effectively free cash for innovation.

If your business develops something new, you may reclaim up to 33% of R&D costs.

Official GOV.UK page:
👉 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/corporation-tax-research-and-development-rd-relief

Founders often miss this — it’s huge.

14. The Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Grants

Funds UK innovators who solve public sector challenges (NHS, councils, etc.).

📌 Live competitions:
👉 https://sbri.innovateuk.org

15. Technology Strategy Board Funding (Emerging Tech)

Supports high-tech companies working in:

AI
Machine learning
Robotics
Cybersecurity
Digital infrastructure

Often delivered via Innovate UK.

📌 Explore funding:
👉 https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/

Final Thoughts: The UK Has More Grants Than Most Founders Realise

From Innovate UK to local LEPs, creative grants to youth funding, sustainability grants to pitch competitions — the opportunities are HUGE.

But most startups miss out because:

They don’t know where to look
They assume they won’t qualify
The applications feel intimidating
They don’t track grant cycles

At 5xBusiness, we help founders:

Identify the right grants
Prepare applications
Build validation pages
Show traction
Organise pitch materials
Improve their online presence
Build investor-ready websites
Create grant-friendly business plans

All at far more affordable prices than typical UK agencies.

If you want help securing grants or building the traction needed to win them — we’re here to support you.

Let’s Talk About Your Growth