Finance
Regen SW receives many requests for advice on funding and grants for businesses and projects. Whilst there are many different routes to funding we highlight those that we consider the most promising in the following categories:
- Applied R&D funding for technology development
- Investment for early stage business growth
- Rural development and bio-energy grant schemes
- Grants for Householders and Community Groups
Finance at a Glance
Grant for Research and Development
Scope: Replaces the DTI SMART Award. Helps businesses carry out R&D on technologically innovative products or processes.
Value: Up to £500K (35% - 70% intervention rate dependent upon size/ location)
Eligibility: Businesses (SMEs)
Website: Grant for Research and Development
Carbon Trust Applied Research Programme
Scope: Supports the development and commercialisation of technology with the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Value: Up to £250K (40% match funding required)
Eligibility: Businesses & Research Organisations
Collaborative Research & Development (BERR)
Scope: To assist the industry and research communities to work together on R & D in strategically important areas of science, engineering and technology.
Value: Up to £8 million (larger amounts possible)
Eligibility: Business & Research Organisations (two or more collaborators, at least one a business)
Website: Collaborative Research & Development
Selective Finance for Investment
Scope: Eligible projects include launching a new business, expanding existing companies, introducing new technology into manufacturing, or commercialising a new product.
Value: £10K - £2m+ (7.5% - 50% intervention rate dependent upon size/ location)
Eligibility: Businesses
Website: Selective Finance for Investment
Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme
Scope: Guarantee loans from the banks and other financial institutions for small firms that have viable business proposals but who have tried and failed to get a conventional loan because of a lack of security.
South West Angel Investors Network (SWAIN)
Scope: Specialise in helping small and medium sized companies to find equity finance, and assist private investors in the south west to search for investment opportunities.
Value: Businesses (SMEs)
Eligibility: From £25K to £750K.
Carbon Trust Venture Capital Fund
Scope: Co-investment in early stage technologies and companies with the ability to create and deliver 'low carbon' businesses.
Value: From £250k-£1.5m
Eligibility: Early stage technologies and businesses
Website: Carbon Trust Venture Capital Fund
South West Ventures Fund
Scope: A £25 million regional venture capital fund which supports fast growing SME’s across the south west.
The English Woodland Grant Scheme
Scope: Grants for woodland management and establishment.
Value: Up to £1800 per hectare
Eligibility: Woodland developers
Website: The English Woodland Grant Scheme
Low Carbon Buildings Fund
Scope: Provide grants for microgeneration technologies on a range of scales
Value: £400 to up to 50% of major developments (£100K+)
Eligibility: Householders, community organisations, schools, the public sector and businesses.
Website: Low Carbon Buildings Fund
