Business & economy

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

  • Water Discovery Challenge 2

    The Water Discovery Challenge 2 is a funding competition that aims to attract innovative solutions to the challenges facing the water sector. It focuses on organisations from outside the sector, providing a structured route for new solutions to be developed, tested and scaled within the industry. There is a total funding pot of £7.5 million […]

  • 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 […]

  • 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:

  • 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 […]

  • Shackleton Foundation

    If you have a new business with a clear social purpose benefiting young people in the UK, you could get a grant of £15,000 to help get your business off the ground. The Shackleton Foundation invests in inspirational leaders and early-stage social enterprises with the potential to make a real difference to the lives of […]

  • Apprenticeship Talent Fund

    Virgin Media O2 has launched a new £1m Apprenticeship Talent Fund to help smaller organisations recruit and train apprentices in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) roles. The funding is specifically designed to help women and people from global majority backgrounds to enter STEM careers. Virgin Media O2 is using part of its apprenticeship levy […]

  • Defra Capital Grants

    Defra has re-opened its Capital Grants offer which is designed to help farmers and land managers to enhance biodiversity, protect natural resources and improve the landscape. There is a total of £150million available for on-farm projects, in six broad areas: Air quality (£25,000 max) Assessments (no funding limit) Boundaries, trees and orchards (£35,000 max) Natural […]