Business & economy

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

  • Water Efficiency Lab

    The Water Efficiency Lab (WEL) is a new fund with a budget of £25m over the next five years to help address water efficiency challenges and develop new approaches to saving water. There will be a specific focus each year – for the first year (WEL1) it is about using data to help customers understand […]

  • CABWI: Learning & Development

    Grants are available for charities working with young people aged 16+ and adults to help them gain additional skills and confidence to enter the labour market. The funding comes from CABWI, the certification and assessment board for the water industries, which makes grants up to £40,000 for projects that: In 2026, CABWI will be particularly […]

  • TechX Accelerator

    Clean energy start-ups can apply to take part in the TechX Accelerator starting in February 2026. This is a 14-week programme of mentoring, business support and prototype development along with a grant of up to £50,000. Your business must be developing a novel clean energy technology in the one of the following focus areas: All […]

  • The Fore

    The Fore offers grants of up to £45,000 to help charitable organisations to grow, strengthen and become more efficient or resilient. The Fore provides unrestricted grants that can be used for any purpose, including core costs and capital funding and can be for one to three years. The grants should have a transformational impact on […]

  • Oli Bennett Charitable Trust

    The Oli Bennett Charitable Trust was set up in memory of Oli Bennett who died in the September 11th World Trade Centre attack. It provides small grants for young people starting a business. Applicants must be aged between 18 and 30 and should note the following requirements:

  • 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 […]

  • 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% […]