Funding is provided to either effect some change in the economy such as create more jobs, innovation, green working, etc. or to address a market failure such as a lack of social enterprises. For this reason, criteria and eligibility is often very specific and funding may often take the form of paid for advice, zero interest loans or small grants that require a match contribution from the business. If you’re unsure whether you qualify for any of the schemes below please get in touch and we’ll do our best to help.
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- Learn About Grants And Finance
The business finance guide provides a comprehensive overview of the financing options available to growing businesses. Whatever the challenges faced, the right financing decisions are critical. For business owners and management, awareness of the choices available allows the business to make a well-informed financing decision.
This link takes you to a helpful tool that guides you through the various options for finance: Find the right finance for you
Search finance and support for your business, click here to go to the Government National Finance Finder Tool.
Local Grants & Funding
Dover Rural Grant
Capital grant funding of up to £10,000 to support small businesses with less than 50 employees in the rural Dover area.
Funding can be used up to 50% of your costs on equipment that directly supports job creation and retention.
Applications close on Friday 7th November 2025
Tell me moreWest Kent Rural Grants
Capital grant funding ranging between £5000 to £20,000 for Tunbridge Wells Borough rural SMEs to help:
- Support for new and existing rural businesses to develop new products and facilities that will be of wider benefit to the local economy.
- Support for new and improved community infrastructure, providing essential community services and assets for local people and businesses to benefit the local economy
Grants require you to fund a minimum of 50% of your project.
Tell me moreFolkestone and Hythe Rural Grant
Capital Grant funding ranging from £2,000 to £10,000 to support new and existing rural businesses to develop new products and facilities that will be of wider benefit to the local economy.
This can include diversification opportunities, start-up & expansion initiatives & net zero infrastructure.
Tell me morePartners for Growth (PFG) grant scheme
Partners for Growth (PFG) is a Medway Council scheme.
Applicants may apply for up to £2,000 under this scheme. To be considered for the full amount, proposals must clearly show how the funding will support growth through increased staffing.
The scheme is available to Medway residents who are:
- thinking of setting up a business
- looking to further grow their businesses
- looking to increase staff numbers.
Projects that contribute to business development but do not show a direct link to job creation may still be eligible for up to £1,000.
Tell me morePartners for Green Growth (PFGG) grant scheme
The Partners for Green Growth scheme aims to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Medway to become more sustainable and environmentally responsible.
Applicants may apply for a grant up to £5,000
The funding is to help businesses in the:
- implementation of their decarbonisation plans
- adoption of new processes that contribute to their net-zero journey.
You must have a valid low carbon audit certificate before applying.
Tell me moreAshford Town Centre Business Grant
Provides support to landlords or tenants to attract investment into Ashford Town Centre by providing 80% of the costs of works.
- Empty Premises Grant of up to £10,000 for bringing an empty town centre unit back into use.
The funding is limited and therefore, once the funds are fully allocated, applications will be closed.
Tell me moreGrow In Gravesham Business Grants
The Grow in Gravesham Business Grants Scheme is designed to provide financial support to businesses seeking to grow, innovate, or address specific challenges. It aims to foster economic development and sustainability.
Small grants of £500 and £750 are available and through a competitive process
Grant funds can be used for a project which will allow your business to be better positioned to grow, innovate, and contribute to the local economy.
Tell me moreKent and Medway Business Fund - Small Business Boost
Loan Offer – £26k – £99k
0% Interest (10% Admin Fee applied)
20-30% Match-funding required
Applications are invited from start ups and established businesses in all sectors
Excluding:
Franchises
Organisations with a political or religious nature
Primary production (partial exclusion)
Criteria must include:
Growth, Innovation, Increased Productivity, Supply Chain, Contribution to Net Zero
Employment:
Job Creation – essential
To submit your Expression Of Interest
Kent and Medway Business Fund - Standard Loan
Loan Offer – £100k – £600k
0% Interest (10% Admin Fee applied)
50% Match-funding required
Applications are invited from established businesses in all sectors
Excluding:
Franchises
Organisations with a political or religious nature
Primary production (partial exclusion)
Criteria must include:
Growth, Innovation, Increased Productivity, Supply Chain, Contribution to Net Zero
Employment:
Job Creation – essential
Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS)
The Growth Guarantee Scheme provides the lender with a 70% government-backed guarantee, and is designed to support access to finance for UK smaller businesses as they look to invest and grow
Minimum facility sizes vary, starting at £1,000 for asset finance, invoice finance and asset based lending, and at £25,001 for term loans and overdrafts. Eligible funding solutions are offered for up to £2 million.
GGS supports a wide range of business finance facilities covering term loans, overdrafts, asset finance, and invoice finance (including asset based lending).
GGS is available through the British Business Bank’s accredited lenders
(Not every lender can provide each type of finance)
Start Up Loan + 12 months Mentoring
Start or grow your own business
- 18+ years old
- Pre-start or trading less than 36 months
- UK-based business
- Up to £25,000 at 6% p.a. fixed for up to 5 years
To apply: Applying for a Start Up Loan – Start Up (startuploans.co.uk)
Tell me moreGot questions? Ask Phil
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