Deadline Date: July 29, 2026
The Business Start-Up and Growth Grants programme is requesting applications to support small and medium enterprises in starting new businesses and creating employment opportunities in eligible regions of the United Kingdom.
The focus areas, include supporting business start-up and expansion activities, promoting job creation rather than job retention, encouraging SME development, enabling training and growth plans, and supporting the establishment of financially viable and scalable enterprises in designated areas.
The programme is designed to provide financial support to businesses that demonstrate the potential and commitment to grow and create employment. It supports both new and existing businesses that aim to expand operations, improve workforce capacity, and contribute to local economic development. Lifestyle businesses are generally excluded unless they offer unique value to the area.
Grants ranging from £2,000 to £5,000 are available to support start-up and growth activities. Funding is intended for businesses that can demonstrate clear growth potential and job creation outcomes, rather than maintenance of existing employment levels.
Eligible applicants must be small and medium-sized enterprises, including sole traders, partnerships, and limited companies based in the Caithness and North Sutherland area. Applicants must demonstrate financial viability, including owner investment, and show plans for business development or new employment generation. Applications for capital equipment such as computers or printers are only considered if they clearly contribute to business growth or additionality.
For more information, visit Caithness Business Fund.
