Business & economy

New grants and loan schemes and the latest news on funding opportunities for businesses in Devon.

  • Skills Bootcamps: IT and Project Management

    If you’re self-employed or seeking work in Devon, you can now access fully-funded IT or Project Management Skills Bootcamps starting on 5 January 2026, thanks to government funding. And if you’re a Devon-based business owner, HR Manager, Training Manager or Project Lead, you can upskill your team with a government subsidy covering up to 90% of […]

  • Made Smarter Innovation: resource & energy efficiency for manufacturing SMEs

    If your business is developing innovative digital technologies that could help small manufacturing businesses to improve their efficiency, you can apply for a grant from Innovate UK. The Made Smarter Innovation (MSI) programme includes funding for feasibility studies and industrial research for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) resource and energy efficiency. Your project must develop […]

  • TikTok Shop Local

    TikTok has announced a new scheme to help small and medium-sized businesses to sell locally-produced goods on the TikTok Shop platform. The Shop Local Competition will provide support to organisations that produce and sell goods within their local area. Five businesses will each receive a package valued at more than £150,000. This will include guidance […]

  • Airbnb Best of British Fund

    Hospitality businesses that are doing great work to support tourism in their local area can apply for a grant from the Airbnb Best of British fund. The grants are intended to reward tourism businesses for the contribution they make to the local economy. Projects should fall into at least one of the following categories: You […]

  • Foundervine Breakthrough

    This is a new accelerator programme, running from November 2025 to February 2026, to support disabled entrepreneurs who want to expand their business. The initiative combines expert-led training, tailored funding advice and opportunities to connect with peers who have lived experience. There are twenty places available on the programme, which includes access to an £18,000 […]

  • Resource efficiency for resilience and sustainability

    UK businesses can apply for grants for innovative feasibility studies in novel, sustainable, low-carbon materials and manufacturing. The funding aims to assist the UK materials and manufacturing sector to be: Your project must focus on one or both of the following themes. Theme 1: Resource efficient and sustainable materials and manufacturing Theme 2: Seaweed processing […]

  • Mid Devon Business Refresh Grant

    Small businesses in Mid Devon can apply for a grant to help improve their premises. Refresh grants of up to £2,500 are available to help existing commercial, retail, leisure, hospitality and tourism businesses to refresh their look, with priority given to those in Mid Devon towns and villages. If you have an independent business with […]

  • Farming Innovation Programme

    There are new opportunities this autumn to apply for funding through the Farming Innovation Programme (FIP). The FIP provides investment in innovation, research and development to benefit farmers, growers and foresters in England. Defra awards FIP funding through a series of competitions, in partnership with UK Research & Innovation (UKRI). There are three upcoming FIP competitions: (Feasibility […]

  • Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps

    Devon County Council has announced that the latest Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps are now live. This government-funded programme offers funded, flexible training for adults aged 19+ in Devon, helping them to gain in-demand skills, with a guaranteed interview on completion. In addition, employers can recruit job-ready candidates from the course participants or access up to 90% […]

  • The Future is Fungi Award

    The Future is Fungi Award is a global award that supports bold founders and science entrepreneurs using fungi to tackle environmental challenges. The award is for projects that contribute to climate change mitigation, biodiversity protection, sustainable agriculture or alternatives to petrochemical products. There are two separate schemes: Start-up Award – for businesses at startup or […]