Business support · 02
Business grantsand funding
Grants, crowdfunding platforms, angel investors and community funds for businesses, social enterprises and CICs in Cheshire and Merseyside.
Grant funding for ordinary trading businesses is rarer than the internet suggests, but it does exist, mostly for innovation, decarbonisation, hiring and social purpose. Crowdfunding and angel investment fill the gap, and community foundations fund CICs and social enterprises.
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Community Foundation for MerseysideLocal
Liverpool City RegionDistributes grants to charities, CICs and community groups across Merseyside and Lancashire.
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Cheshire Community FoundationLocal
Cheshire & WarringtonGrants for charities, CICs and community groups across Cheshire and Warrington.
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Find a Grant (GOV.UK)
UK-wideThe government's searchable list of open grants, filterable by who can apply and what for.
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Innovate UK
UK-wideCompetitive grants and loans for innovative products and services, from feasibility studies to scaling up.
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Innovate UK Business Connect
UK-wideConnects innovative businesses with funding calls, partners and expert advice.
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Crowdfunder
UK-wideUK reward and donation crowdfunding, often used for local business launches and community projects.
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Crowdcube
UK-wideEquity crowdfunding: raise investment from the public in exchange for shares.
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Kickstarter
UK-wideReward crowdfunding for creative projects and new products, with an international audience.
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The national body for angel investment, with directories of angel networks and guidance on raising investment.
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SEIS and EIS (HMRC)
UK-wideTax reliefs for people who invest in small, early-stage companies. Check eligibility before you approach investors.
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The King's Trust
UK-wideSupport for 18 to 30 year olds exploring self-employment, including workshops, mentoring and in some cases funding.
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The largest community funder in the UK, open to many CICs and social enterprises as well as charities.
Nothing listed for that area yet. Try “Everywhere”.
(02) Questions
Common questions.
Are there grants for small businesses?+
Some. Search the government's Find a Grant service first, then check your council and growth hub for local schemes. Innovation grants via Innovate UK are competitive but substantial.
Can a CIC apply for charity funding?+
Often, yes. Many community foundations and lottery funds accept applications from community interest companies as well as charities, as long as the project has a clear community benefit.
How do I raise investment?+
Equity crowdfunding and angel networks are the usual routes for early-stage businesses. Investors will look for SEIS or EIS eligibility, which gives them tax relief, so check that early.
Want the paperwork to do itself?
Finding support is step one. We build the systems that keep your quotes, bookings, invoices and records in order, so you are ready when the funder or accountant asks.