Funding

Kickstart Scheme

The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.

Who's it for?

• All Employers

Business Recovery Grant

In response to the demand for increased support for SMEs, government has committed an additional £30m from the England European Regional Development Fund. £10m to support visitor/ tourism economy and £20m for the wider economy businesses.

Who's it for?

• SMEs based in Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, and Wirral, who have been trading since before 1st March 2020 and have been impacted by Covid 19.

Future Innovation Fund

£3m Future Innovation Fund pilot programme has been established by the Metro Mayor to support Liverpool City Region’s (LCR) small and medium sized enterprise (SME) community.

Who's it for?

• Any SME based, or with significant operations, in the Liverpool City Region, who can demonstrate a viable project plan, capability to deliver, value for money and a clear need for grant funding.

Flexible Growth Fund

Who's it for?

• The fund is open to any business in the City Region which is undertaking an expansion project which creates or secures jobs.

Creative Enterprise Business Planning Support

Creative Enterprise supports companies who work in moving image for storytelling, spanning film television, games and immersive, to build meaningful connections and create opportunities for business growth.

Who's it for?

• Registered sole traders and SMEs working in ‘moving image’ for storytelling.

New Markets 2

Supporting business growth in the Liverpool City Region

Who's it for?

• Liverpool City Region SMEs looking to grow

Manufacturing Growth Fund

Supporting SME manufacturing in the Liverpool City Region

Who's it for?

• SME manufacturers across the North West
• SMEs that can part-fund growth projects

Made Smarter

Helping manufacturers use digital technology to boost competitiveness, efficiency and bottom line

Who's it for?

• Manufacturers across the North West
• Businesses open to embracing new tech for growth

NPIF

Funding to start up, scale up or stay ahead in the North of England

Who's it for?

• North West entrepreneurs, startups and SMEs
• Businesses with growth plans that need funding

Customs Grant Schemes – IT improvements

Available to existing and new customs intermediaries who are SMEs, micro businesses or individuals to cover 100% of eligible IT costs.

Who's it for?

• Existing and new customs intermediaries

Customs Grant Schemes – Training

Available to customs intermediaries, traders and hauliers, who meet the eligibility criteria, to cover 100% of eligible training costs

Who's it for?

• Customs intermediaries, traders and hauliers

Customs Grant Schemes – Recruitment

Funding to support recruitment of Customs Brokers

Who's it for?

• Customs intermediaries

Enhancing SMEs international trade performance

Tailored support for improving the international trade activity of North West businesses

Who's it for?

• SMEs across the North West
• SMEs looking to develop international trading

Tradeshow Access Programme

Grant funding towards the costs of exhibiting at overseas trade shows

Who's it for?

• Businesses exporting or thinking about exporting

UK Export Finance

Finance and insurance for UK exporters

Who's it for?

• Exporters and businesses with export potential

Clean Growth UK

Helping businesses develop, fund, test and commercialise clean and green innovation

Who's it for?

• Businesses developing clean and green innovations

Innovate UK Innovation Competitions

Search for funding competition opportunities

Who's it for?

• UK-based businesses or research organisations

Carbon Trust Green Business Fund

Energy saving support at no cost to your business

Who's it for?

• SMEs looking to reduce energy usage
• SMEs in various sectors including manufacturing, retail, and hospitality

Corporation Tax: Research and Development (R&D) Relief

Claim Corporation Tax relief on R&D projects

Who's it for?

• Businesses working on innovative projects in science and technology
• Businesses seeking to research or develop an advance in their field

Carbon Trust

Changing how energy is produced, distributed and consumed

Who's it for?

• Businesses looking to develop low carbon strategies and policies
• Businesses looking to become more resource efficient

Start Up Loans

Start or grow your own business

Who's it for?

• Individuals looking to start or grow a business
• New and early stage businesses

New Enterprise Allowance

Money and support for starting a business on certain benefits

Who's it for?

• Individuals looking to start their own business if receiving certain benefits

Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme

Helping companies raise money as they start to trade

Who's it for?

• Businesses starting to trade

Enterprise Finance Guarantee

A government-backed loan guarantee scheme

Who's it for?

• Businesses with a turnover of less than £41 million, looking for finance in the range of £1,000 to £1 million

Virgin StartUp

Support and advice to start your own business

Who's it for?

• Startup businesses across the UK

The Insolvency Service

Supporting businesses in financial distress

Who's it for?

• Businesses in financial distress

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Programme

Investment to help small business entrepreneurs

Who's it for?

• Small business entrepreneurs
• Businesses operating for at least 3 years

The Business Finance Guide

Finance considerations and options available to businesses

Who's it for?

• Business start-ups to SMEs and growing mid-sized companies